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Do bike lanes make you “Hornby?”

Bicycle infrastructure is crucial

By Trevor Doré, Opinions Editor

ecently Vancouver City

council approved separate

bike lanes on Hornby Street.
As expected, there are people on
both sides of the divide. Some argue
that lanes do more harm than good
and others claim that more bicycle
infrastructure is crucial to promote
more cycling and ultimately a more
sustainable city.

Those who are opposed to the
new lanes argue that Vancouver
council is simply pushing their
“green” agenda through without
considering the stakeholders.
Considering construction began
the morning after the vote, this
maybe true; however, they are
missing the point — adequate
bicycle infrastructure is necessary
to encourage people to get out of
their cars and onto their bikes. And
honestly, if you break it down, the
benefits outweigh the costs.

Critics argue that the new

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bike lanes will drastically impact
local business along Hornby. They
conclude that the lack of parking
space will greatly reduce a car
dependant consumer base. Luckily,
the street is not the only place to
park in the Hornby area. According
to a City of Vancouver report, cited
in the Province, there are 10,000
public parking spots within a block
of Hornby. Let’s face it; if consumers
are not willing to walk a block to

do their shopping, we have bigger
problems as a society.

Motorists claim that they are tired
of subsidizing bicycle infrastructure.
However, it’s exactly the opposite.
Cyclist subsidize motorists. Cyclists
pay for road construction and
maintenance through property
taxes and rent, yet look at the
disproportional amount of space a
motor vehicle consumes as opposed
to a bicycle. Not to mention, vehicles
are the main culprits in road wear and
tear.

Others complain that cyclists

disobey the law, running red lights
and not wearing helmets. However,
the last time I checked, motorists
exceed speed limits, run red lights,
drive without seat belts, talk on
cell phones and drive recklessly

in general. For those who think
that cyclists should have to pay for
insurance, consider the consequences
of a cyclist mistake as opposed to a
motorist mistake.

Some assume that the new
bike lanes will only increase traffic
congestion in the downtown core.
Just remember, every bike on the
road represents one less car on the
road. No one likes sitting in traffic.
Infrastructure that encourages
individuals to get out of their cars
and onto their bikes can only serve to
benefit us all.

The act of cycling requires
exercise. In theory, this should lead
to more healthy individuals, thus
reducing costs in the medical system.
Encouraging individuals to find active
modes of transportation might be

     

one piece in the puzzle of reducing
obesity and decreasing health care
costs. The same cannot be said for
sedentary motor vehicle forms of
transportation and the related dangers.
Mayor Gregor Roberston has
been called a bicycle Nazi. Some say
that he spares no cost to make cycling
more convenient in the downtown
core and that the whole thing is a
big social experiment or just another
green scheme. In reality, we have a
responsibility to make changes and
move in a more sustainable direction;
Mayor Roberston is doing just that.
Everyone is comfortable with
the status quo, nobody wants to see
change, but change is inevitable.
We need more politicians who are
not afraid to make decisions and
implement more environmentally
friendly policies. Overall, Vancouver
City council should be applauded
not condemned, for helping to make
cycling a more appealing option.
Hopefully, this will be the beginning
of a brighter, greener future.