The Editor,
Re: "Residential routes best for bikes: studies," Letters, Sept. 23.
On behalf of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee, to which (letter writer) Mr. Smith refers, I would like to provide additional information.
The cycling committee has been fully aware of the UBC research since it began in 2006.
Indeed, we requested a presentation from the research coordinator over a year ago because we had been planning residential bike routes and wanted to confirm our approach.
Since that time, we have worked closely and productively with the City of Richmond to add local street bike facilities as a new option for traveling by bike.
Over the last year, we have identified four neighbourhood bike routes as the initiial ones to be built.
The first route, endorsed unanimously by city council and christened the Crabapple Ridge Bikeway, will connect Terra Nova and Steveston using local roads and off-street pathways located west of No. 1 Road.
Construction is underway with roadway stencilling and directional signage to be added as the project nears completion in the spring.
The second route, the proposed Parkside Bikeway running along Ash Street, has been evaluated by the committee and has city staff support.
Mr. Smith's misgivings as to the priority of the Minoru Boulevard bike lanes and the Granville Avenue/Garden City Road intersection improvements can be dispelled by considering factors that determine what to build next.
When an opportunity like Minoru Boulevard comes along, we look at nearness to the city centre (check), minimal impact on space for existing road users (check - in this case narrowing the motor vehicle lanes and centre median provided the additional road width) and adding connectivity (check - Granville Avenue, Richmond Centre Mall and destinations north of Westminster Highway).
Crossing the Granville Avenue/Garden City Road intersection is harrowing for cyclists and pedestrians.
We all will benefit from the improvements.
Larry Pamer
Richmond Community Cycling Committee
