Vancouver city staff say Broadway bike lanes can wait

Vancouver city staff have recommended delaying the installation of bike lanes along Broadway.

That’s despite a motion passed by city council last year that called for protected bike lanes to be installed along the stretch of Broadway that will be served by the SkyTrain subway extension.

Staff recommended prioritizing pedestrians and patios over lanes for bikes and scooters, saying lanes for those could be added later on, when the effects on traffic from introducing SkyTrain along the Broadway corridor are better understood.

Staff cited traffic disruptions, budgetary concerns and the need for additional consultation with TransLink and the province as key reasons to delay action on bike lanes.

“The city could incrementally deliver active transportation lanes along Broadway with less risk at a later date,” wrote Lon LaClaire, general manager of engineering for the city. The report is expected to by discussed by council next week.