Vancouver bike lane traffic hits record high in June

A record number of cyclists pedaled their way through Vancouver's separated bike lanesin June, helping the cityreach its goal of having 50 per cent of all trips made by foot, bicycle or public transit.

"People who are not confident in traffic will start to cycle in those protected lanes," said Coun. Heather Deal, who is alsothe city'sliaison to the Active Transportation Council.

"And then you slowly start ratcheting it up and you see the numbers start to explode."

The city says there's also been a big jump in people riding their bikes along the Point Grey bike lane following the completion of the Seaside Greenway last summer.

Deal says the numbers are encouraging because the city is committed to making cycling a priority.

"As our population increases, we need to fit the same and more number of people in the road space and that means we need to get people out of their single occupancy vehicles and using other alternatives," said Deal.

More bike route improvements planned

As part of the plan to increase biking, Vancouver is upgrading some well-travelled bike routes throughout the city. The aim is to reduce collisions and makecycling smoother.

As part of those upgrades, the city is gathering feedback on its 10th Avenue Corridor Project.

The city says each year 500,000 people cycle the route, which runs parallel to the busy Broadway corridor from Victoria Drive to Trafalgar Street.

Melissa Bruntlett,co-founder ofbike transportationadvocacy companyModacity, says the busy street can be especially challenging at certain intersections.

"It can be a little precarious in themorningwhen I'mcoming to work," said Bruntlett. "It's sort of anintricateballet ofcars,pedestriansandcyclistsall vying for space."

She says allowing parking on only one side of the road would create more space for cyclists.

"There's lots of road space. If we're insistent on having on-street parking, on a bikeway is probably not the best solution," said Bruntlett.