Two bike lane projects in Richmond city centre look set to be built at a cost of almost $400,000.
In a bold bid to get more Richmondites out of their cars and into the saddle, the city is preparing to cough up a little more than $96,350 as part of the BikeBC cost-sharing program with the province and TransLink.
The pair of projects could be ready by the end of the fall if the cost-sharing agreement is approved by city council next week.
The first one is on Minoru Boulevard between Granville Avenue and Alderbridge Way and the second is at and around the Garden City Road and Granville Avenue intersection.
"Both proposed projects would enhance the city's cycling and pedestrian environments, by encouraging greater levels of walking and cycling," said the city's transportation planner, Joan Caravan, in her report to council's public works committee this week.
The projects will also help the city reach its GHG emission reduction target of 33 per cent by 2020, Caravan added.
The Minoru Boulevard route would require the narrowing of the centre median and a revision of pavement markings to provide the actual bike lanes.
The Garden City Road/Granville Avenue work would involve the installation of a pedestrian-activated signal and construction of a paved multi-use pathway.
The money for the improvements was approved back in 2009 and 2010 as part of the city's cycling network expansion program.
The ultimate goal of the BikeBC initiative is to promote cycling as a transportation alternative, for work, school or errands.
acampbell@richmond-news.com
