Academics, Advocates and Agencies Working together to construct cycling facili3es that are a4rac3ve and safe

Academics, Advocates and Agencies Working together to construct cycling facili3es that are a4rac3ve and safe Velo-City 2012 Meghan Winters, Simon Fraser University Lisa Slakov, HUB Gavin Davidson, Alta Planning + Design 1

From Integra3on to Protec3on Photo: Paul Krueger 2

Bike Boulevards 3

The growth in ridership and routes 70000 60000 200 180 160 3% of trips 50000 40000 30000 140 120 100 80 Cumulative length (km) Daily Bicycle Trips 20000 60 10000 40 20 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 0 4

Vancouver s Cycling Network circa 2008 bike routes On-street Paved (Off-Street) Unpaved (Off-Street) roads 5

Length of Cycling Facility Types in 2008 Facility Type Distance (KM) Bike Lanes 22.2 Cycle Tracks 0.0 Marked Wide Curb Lanes 7.1 Bike Boulevards 103.4 Off-street Paths 46.0 Total 178.7 6

Agencies: building our networks 7

Agency Coordina3on and Communica3on Municipal Government TransLink Regional Coordina3on through Bicycle Subcomi4ee 8

Academics, Advocates and Agencies Advocates Municipal Government TransLink Academics Communica3on: Bicycle Advisory Commi4ees to City Councils

Recent Milestones 2007 Cycling in Cities results released 2008 Vision wins election 2009 Burrard Bridge trial successful 2004 Kay Teschke joins Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee 2007 Advocates convince TransLink to construct Can Line Ped Bike Bridge 2009 TransLink changes funding criteria 2010 Dunsmuir separated bike lane 10

Changing Rela3onships

Academics: bringing the evidence 12

cycling in ci3es research program evidence on city design to increase cycling mode share & improve public health injury study injury circumstances risk of infrastructure types* percep3ons vrs observed risk* opinion survey mo3vators and deterrents of cycling preferences for route types GIS mapping focus groups built environment & mode choice built environment & route choice mapping bikeability* 13

cycling in ci3es research program evidence on city design to increase cycling mode share & improve public health 31% of popula3on in the near market for cycling regular cyclists: cycle at least weekly 2.4% of popula3on, ~40,000 adults frequent cyclists: cycle at least monthly 9.9% of popula3on, ~160,000 adults occasional cyclists: cycle at least yearly 12.7% of popula3on, ~200,000 adults poten3al cyclists: cycle less than once a year 6.2% of popula3on, ~100,000 adults other adults 69% of popula3on, ~1,100,000 adults 15

opinion survey: route preferences 1. paved off- street cycle paths for bikes only (82% likely to choose) 2. paved off- street mul3- use paths (78% likely to choose) top 5 routes (of 16) 3. unpaved off- street mul3- use paths (69% likely to choose) 4. cycle paths next to major streets, separated by barrier (68% likely to choose) 5. residen3al street bicycle routes with traffic calming (66% likely to choose)

sharing research: papers, presenta3ons and pamphlets

applying research: innova3ve web- based tools Online bicycle trip planner 2008 (www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca) Bike Score - 2012 (www.walkscore.com/bike)

making research ma4er: rela3onships dedicated presenta3ons: municipali3es, advocates, decision- makers Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley TransLink, Environment Canada Vancouver Board of Trade HUB, Ontario Medical Associa3on Canadian Urban Transporta3on Associa3on Youth Summit advising Bicycle Advisory commi4ee/ Ac3ve Transporta3on Policy Council Transporta3on Plan Stakeholder Consultant reports 19

partnership results outcomes supported policy for separated bike lanes (Burrard, Dunsmuir, Hornby) successful research grants (Injury Study, Public Bikeshare) research relevance (Bike Score, Educa3on Materials, Cycle Route Planner) challenges 3me differences in methods/perspec3ve changing roles and resources 20

Advocates: bringing the energy 21

Advocacy and Working Together HUB- a Vancouver Area Example

HUB- how we left the VACC behind Until a few months ago was called the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition Significant cycling advocacy in Vancouver since at least 1985 VACC formed in 1998 Increasing sophistication as an organization and in our relationships

And helped grow Infrastructure Ini3ally bike routes on quiet streets progressing to painted bike lanes on arterials S3ll only 3% of daily trips Ques3on became- how to grow ridership significantly? City of Vancouver

Changing Relationships and Benefits of Working Together Increasing understanding of valueon all sides, including the public! Varies depending on individuals- advocates, governing bodies and their staff and academics A look at Vancouver s separated lanes case in point

Vancouver s Separated Bike Lanes- the Perfect Storm 1. Long time advocacy for a separated lane on the Burrard Bridge 2. Cycling in Cities Study and research from other countries 3. Progressive municipal and regional governments

Likelihood of Success May 14, 2012 : 14, 2012 8:42 pm Vancouver ranks among most bikeable ci3es in North America Little disruption and significant support for separated lanessuccessful re-election Local academics put together Bike Score that scores Vancouver highly Advocates inspired and energized to work for the best choices

Pretty Happy Advocates Photos Courtesy of Ken Ohrn

Academics, Advocates and Agencies Some on-going challenges: Progressive governments and staff interested in working together come and go The vision of the public to vote those politicians in Not all advocates with the time and ability to work effectively with the different groups Not all academics interested in knowledge transfer Often huge discrepancies between urban and suburban settings

Thanks Meghan Winters SFU Lisa Slakov Gavin Davidson 30

Academics, Advocates and Agencies Working together to construct cycling facili3es that are a4rac3ve and safe 31