The impact of separated bike lanes on businesses in Vancouver will be the subject of a new study commissioned by the Vancouver Economic Development Commission (VEDC).
Businesses are being asked for input on the study, which is being done in partnership with the City of Vancouver, the Downtown Business Association, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the Vancouver Board of Trade.
The city’s decision to dedicate a bike lane on Hornby Street last year was controversial, with business owners complaining that the on-street parking that would be lost to create the lanes would have a serious negative impact on area commerce.
The VEDC has commissioned Stantec Consulting Ltd. to study the long- and short-term effects on business of separated bike lanes on Hornby and Dunsmuir streets. Surveys will also be done on Howe and Georgia streets.
Stantec will also make recommendations on ways to mitigate any negative impact the bike lanes have had on business and will compare practices in other cities – a topic covered by Business in Vancouver last year. (See “Emerald City versus Olympic City: Different spokes for different folks,” issue 1096; October 26-November 1, 2010.)
The consultation will include workshops and customers interviews.
Business owners who want to have input can contact Stantec at [email protected].
Nelson Bennett