Bike lane upgrade threatens healthcare access, say seniors

Seniors and disability advocates want the City of Vancouver to reconsider its plans for a separated bike lane that would eliminate dozens ofmetered parking spaces in a neighbourhoodfull of medical services.

"I'm very concerned, especially for seniors, because the proposal is to take away 77 parking meters in the biggest medical facilities precinct in the province," said Vancouver senior Raymond Greenwood.

The area that's often referred to as the city's "healthcare precinct"is astretch of 10thAvenue that runs from CambieStreet to Oak Street.

It's a very busy east-west route that's used by people in vehicles going to various clinics and Vancouver General Hospital, as well as by pedestrians and cyclists.

The city is considering three proposals to upgrade the corridorand each includes at least one separated bike path that would require removing existing street parking.

"I just don't think it's a very well thought outidea," said Jane Dyson, executive director of the Disability AllianceB.C.

"There are a lot of people who are coming for medical appointments and they need to be able to park near where they're going."

Divert the bike route

The 10thAvenue bikeway runs from Victoria Drive to Trafalgar Street and, according to the city, is one of the busiest cycling routes in Vancouver.

Dysonand Greenwood say the four blockportion of the bike routein question should be moved off 10th Avenue, to another street north or south of West Broadway.

"I think maybe move the bike lane to say, Eighth Avenue down there or somewhere else, certainly not on 10th Avenue anywhere from the 500 to 900 block," said Greenwood.

Dysonagreesit should be possible to find a way around the situation.

"I think it's about four blocks so surely to goodness there can be a way to divert the bike route."

Cyclists disagree

Cyclists, however,don't think so, and say itjust makes sense to leave the bike route where it is on 10th Avenue.

"It's an established bike route," said Jeff Lee of the bike advocacy group HUB Cycling.

"There's no easy alternative a block away."

City staff have been meeting with stakeholderssince Mayto address ideas and concerns after two initial phases of public consultation, said a city spokesperson in an email.

Toward the end of November, there will be a number of open houses for the public to provide feedback on staff recommendations.

The final recommendations are anticipated to go to council for approval in early spring.

"I really wish the city would reconsider. I think it would be great to get a good news story for people with disabilities and seniors," said Dyson.