Neighbours take issue with new East Vancouver bike share docking station

As Vancouver's public bike share system Mobiexpands into East Vancouver, crews have been staking out spots where the docking stations will be installed, and residents in the area around 10th Avenueand Woodland Driveare complaining about the choice to placea station at that intersection.

Even though Perry Boekeris acyclist who says he commutes on his bikerain or shine,he's one of the neighbours who's taking the lead against the new station.

"It's just a highly congested areawith lots of bike traffic that goes both this way and that way," said Boekerof the intersection along the popular 10th Avenuebike route.

He suggested thatMobishould concentrateits stations a block east near the SkyTrain station, and he also criticizes what he perceives as a lack of consultation from Mobi and city officials.

Boeker's neighbour, Robin Wong, shares his opposition to the docking station placement.

"It takes away much needed parking spaces for the residents in the area," said Wong.

Major system expansion

According to Bike Share Vancouver general manager MiaKohout,there are more than 130 bike docking stations in the city, and in the coming months, thatnumber will riseto 200.

"I think we're expanding sooner than we were anticipating," said Kohout, pointing outthe biggest challenge is just keeping up with demand.

"People's number one complaint or apprehensionis the loss of physical car parking spaces, but, in most instances the city will have more stats on this there is ample parking in the neighbourhoods," she said, noting that for every two car parking spots that are lost, the company fits 12 bike parking spots into the same space.

"People are scared of change ... we have received very little, [to]no complaints after the station goes in," said Kohout, saying Mobi works very closely with the city and involves third-party engineers beforelocations are selected. In 2016, shortly after the system launched, West End residents opposing a station were able to get the attention of city officials, who promised further consultation.

Neighbourhood support for Mobi

But not all of Boeker'sneighbours near 10thAvenue and Woodland Driveare against the dock some see it as a welcome growth in the bike share system.

Kerry Friesenis a cyclist who doesn'tusethe Mobi system, but he supports its expansion.

"I think it's good overall. It's good for the city," said Friesen, who expressed understanding that some people may miss the parking spaces.

Lindsay Symondsbrushed off concerns over the parking spots.

"No matter where it goes, it's going to take up parking spaces, and people are going to be upset about that," said Symonds. "I'm for it, so I don't listen to any negative talk about it."

"I think the bike share is great for our city," said Marnie Goldenberg, who was riding by the intersection on Wednesday. "I wonder if there's any NIMBYism with any challenges people have with [a station] being at this particular location."

According to Kohout, the system now has about 1,400 bikes on the street andjust under60,000 people have taken them for a ride.

Officials from the City of Vancouver weren'tavailable for comment by deadline.

With files from Pierre Martineau

Follow Rafferty Baker on Twitter: @raffertybaker