Fall Bike to Work Week

The latest edition of Bike to Work Week is well on its way, and I finally skipped the bus and SkyTrain and onto my bike this morning to take part. Read more »

How to take your bike on the bus

I remember the first time I took my bike on the bus. It was years ago. I was on the 99 B-Line, and a lot of people were watching me and waiting for me to load the bike so we could get on with the journey.

I could see the general concept of how it worked, but the bike just didn’t seem to sit right. The bus operator was nice enough to give me some helpful visual bike miming with his hands through the windshield. It turned out that I didn’t pull the support arm high enough so the bike was sitting too loose in the rack. Once I pulled up the arm and moved it so it almost touched the neck of my bike frame, it was snug. The anxiety of the moment soon drifted away after I boarded the bus and we moved along to the next stop.

If you haven’t had a change to try a bike rack on a bus before, TransLink has just posted this video on the TransLink YouTube account on how to do this.

Besides this video, text on all you need to know about how to load your bike on the bus can be found on the TransLink website. For convenience, I’ve taken the vital info and posted it below.

Besides these pointers, my only additional tip is to always keep one hand on your bike until you’ve properly secured your bike with the support arm. This will make sure your bike can never fall back on you.

Restrictions

• To fit in the rack, bikes must have a minimum of a 40 cm (16”) diameter wheel.
• Motor-assisted bikes of any kind are not permitted.

Loading and Unloading Your Bike

Here’s how to load and unload your bike:

• Before the bus arrives, remove loose items such as water bottles, pumps, and panniers.
• Tell the driver you want to load your bike, and then lower the bike rack by pulling on the handle.
• Lift your bike onto the rack.
• Lift the support arm up and over the front tire.
• Sit at the front of the bus and keep an eye on your bike.
• When leaving the bus, please tell the driver that you need to remove your bike. Exit from the front door.
• Remove your bike and raise the rack to the upright position.

Currently, bus racks require bike wheels that are a minimum of a 40 cm (16”) in diameter. Buses can take a maximum of two bikes at a time. So be prepared to potentially wait for a bus with space available to take your bike.

If you have any additional tips on taking your bike on the bus, please share them!

Regional Cycling Strategy

As the planners and managers of the transportation system on the South Coast, TransLink is involved with many modes of transportation. Most people know us as operators of buses (including community shuttles), SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express. What many people don’t know about TransLink is that we’re also responsible for AirCare, Intelligent Transportation Systems programs, the Major Road Network and cycling and commuter options.

As the South Coast of British Columbia continues to become more populated, more emphasis is being placed on alternatives to single-person automobiles. TransLink and various stakeholders from across Metro Vancouver have coordinated actions for governments and agencies at all levels, the private sector and community organizations resulting in the Regional Cycling Strategy.

Are we cycling into a future with more people commuting by bicycle?

This plan is aimed at greatly increasing trips by cycling, transit and walking by creating a fully integrated, multi-modal transportation network over the next 30 years. Together with our partners, the strategy aims to make Metro Vancouver known around the world by 2040 as a place where cycling is a reliable and common form of transportation. This aim has two main goals:

Goal 1: More Cycling
More people cycle more often so that, by 2040, 15% of all trips less than 8km are made by bicycle.

Goal 2: Safer Cycling
Cycling feels safer so that, by 2040, 50% of all cycling trips are made by females. Cycling is safer so that, by 2040, 50% fewer people are killed or seriously injured while cycling.

The RCS came about as a result of background studies and three workshops with over 100 stakeholders. The RCS is also tied into the goals of Transport 2040 and the Seville Charter. It will most certainly be a topic of interest at Velo-City 2012, which will be held in Vancouver next year.

So now that the RCS is available for everyone to read, I’m wondering what people think about the aim of the strategy and goals that will get us there. Leave you comments about it. If (as I assume to be true) we’d all like to see more people cycling, walking and taking transit, then constructive comments about how to achieve that can hopefully get us there!

Come to a Mia Birk cycling talk from the SFU City Program, Wed Jan 26, 2011

In case you’re interested, the SFU City Program is hosting a talk by Mia Birk, who helped develop the City of Portland’s hugely successful bike strategy and network. TransLink is co-sponsoring the talk through its TravelSmart program!

The details
January 26, 2011, 7:00pm
SFU Vancouver, 515 West Hastings Street, Room 1400
Reserve your seat here!

For a bit more about Mia, see the video above: Mia talks about Joyride, her new book, and touches on the effects of cycling on Portland. Plus, here is a little about Mia from the SFU City Program’s site:

Joyride: Walking and Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet

Can bicycling and walking really be the key to bringing our world back from the brink of disaster? Active transportation advocate, consultant and author Mia Birk says YES.

In her new book, Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, the award-winning bicycle transportation planner shows how in less than a generation, a team of visionaries turned Portland into a City in which people can and do choose bicycling as a normal, everyday means of transportation. The resultant impacts on emissions, oil use, physical activity, safety, and the economy should give us hope that active transportation holds promise for cities across North America.

Mia Birk is Chief Executive Officer and Principal at Alta Planning + Design, with 20 years experience in sustainable transportation focused on pedestrian, bicycle, trail, and greenway planning, design and implementation. Mia is also Adjunct Professor at Portland State University, where she co-founded the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation in the College of Urban Studies, and was the City of Portland Bicycle Program Manager from 1993-99, where she led a period of rapid growth of Portland’s bikeway network.

By the way, Mia was a guest speaker at a TransLink Regional Cycling Strategy workshop on April 6, 2009—so she’s no stranger to our region :)

Guest post: Average Joe Cyclist on becoming a bicycle commuter – if I can do it, so can you!

With my own winter-ready bike parked nearby, I realized that I have become one of those fearless bicycle commuters – and also reflected on what a long way I have come. Photo by Average Joe Cyclist.

I’m pleased to present a guest post by Average Joe Cyclist, who’s a regular guy who gave biking a try—and wants regular folks like you to try it out too! (I didn’t mean to make that rhyme, but it’s so pleasing that I’m leaving it that way :) Make sure to check out his blog over at Averagejoecyclist.com and at BikeBytes for the Vancouver Observer.

This fall I went out and volunteered at one of the VACC’s Bike to Work Week stations. It was great fun (apart from the pouring rain, but hey, this is Vancouver). Standing there in the torrential downpour, I watched the constant stream of determined commuters cycling by on the Central Valley Greenway, braving the fall dark and the elements.

With my own winter-ready bike parked nearby, I realized that I have become one of those fearless bicycle commuters – and also reflected on what a long way I have come.

When I first moved to Vancouver, I worked with a dashing and stylish woman who cycled to work. I had never lived in a city where this was even possible, and it blew me away. I watched her as she came in every day, flushed and triumphant, and started to wonder if this was possible for me. But I was overweight and out of shape, and the thought of cycling over the Second Narrows Bridge just seemed impossible.

A few years passed, but the fantasy of commuting by bike just would not die.

At last I gathered my courage and bought a reasonably decent hybrid commuter – a 1999 Devinci Rio. I started off with baby steps, cycling a bit further every day. Every day, I got a little bit fitter and a little bit stronger.

Finally came the day that I was ready to take the giant step from recreational cyclist to commuter. I mapped out the route I would need to take to bike to work, and practiced it. By this time I was no longer working in North Vancouver. I was living in East Vancouver, and working in Burnaby Heights. The commute would be about 10 km, one-way, with a lot of hills. The first time I did it, it was a Sunday, and I only went one way, and then put my bike on a bus to get home. But I had done it!

Read more »

Updated Central Valley Greenway maps are now available

A quick note to let you know that an updated Central Valley Greenway map is now available!

Since the Greenway made its official debut in June 2009, the 24-km walking and cycling route through Vancouver, New Westminster, and Burnaby has undergone a number of minor changes. So the new map now features updated construction zones, completed route sections, and correction of minor errors.

You can get the new map online from TransLink.ca’s Central Valley Greenway page or our Cycling Maps page.

For a physical copy, you have a choice of several locations, including:

• Your local municipalities
• Local libraries and community centres
• TransLink head office (Metrotower II near Metrotown Station, 1600 – 4720 Kingsway, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• FareDealer head office (Metrotower I near Metrotown Station, Ground Floor – Main Lobby, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Also, bulk orders for your workplace, events, or other uses can be accommodated depending on the number required. To place a bulk order, please contact TransLink’s TravelSmart department at 604-216-3299 or at travelsmart@translink.ca.

And as always, check out some past Buzzer posts on the Central Valley Greenway, including a no-sweat tour of the route, and an update from our planning team on the genesis of the Greenway and its future road ahead.

• A tour of the Central Valley Greenway
• The Central Valley Greenway turns one year old
• Central Valley Greenway: an update from our planning team

Central Valley Greenway: an update from our planning team

Part of the Central Valley Greenway in New Westminster.

As you probably know, I’ve hosted a lot of discussion and feedback about the Central Valley Greenway on the blog, especially in these two posts:

• A tour of the Central Valley Greenway
• The Central Valley Greenway turns one year old

Well, along the way, rider Joe asked our planning team for a response to two posts on his blog, Average Joe Cyclist ( here’s post 1 & post 2) where he sketches the successes and shortcomings of the Greenway. As our planning staff wrote up a really informative response, I thought I’d spotlight it here for all to read! Joe has also put it on his blog too.

The CVG was part of Transport Canada’s Urban Transportation Showcase Program, which wrapped up in March 2009 in accordance with the multi-agency funding agreement. There has been a fair bit of criticism on the Buzzer Blog about launching the CVG prematurely, while some segments were incomplete or built to an interim standard. We were obliged to launch it as close as possible to the federal project deadline of March 31, 2009, after six years of planning and project delivery, and held our opening celebration in June to correspond with Bike Week and the completion of the Winston Bridge, which provided important connections. We acknowledge that the some areas are constructed to a interim design standard, due to budget or other temporal challenges. The major achievement of the project was to deliver a functional CVG, and it has been a valuable facility for thousands of people since it was launched. TransLink values feedback and will share it with our partners. At this point each municipal partner is responsible for improvements along the CVG that will achieve the ultimate design standard. Again, now that the cities fully own and manage their sections of the CVG, comments should be directed to them.

Read more »

Bike to Work Week kicks off with a Share the Road challenge

Giant Bicycles brought their whole office down to participate in the challenge!

The Share the Road scoreboard! Click for a MUCH larger version.

It’s Bike to Work Week next week (November 1 to 7!), and to help raise awareness, a Share the Road Challenge was held this morning!

For the challenge, six organizations raced from their offices to the downtown Vancouver library by bike, car and transit. And the bike was the fastest mode for four of the six teams!

For example, Giant Bicycles took their whole office from North Vancouver for the challenge: the cyclists won, taking 23 minutes, and car and transit riders weren’t too far behind, at 27 and 33 minutes each.

The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, who organizes Bike to Work Week, sent a team from Richmond, and their cyclist tied with their car driver at 30 minutes. Not too bad!

Anyway, to try out your own bike to work challenge, participate in Bike to Work Week next week!

Sign up a team from your school or work for the week, and you can win prizes for participation and distance travelled. (There’s bike gear, gift certificates, and free bikes on offer!)

And watch for commuter stations around the Lower Mainland, with free coffee, snacks, and more prizes, plus mechanics to tune up your bike if needed. (Here’s a look at the TransLink commuter station in Metrotower II from 2008.)

I’ve cycled in Bike to Work Week before, and here’s some handy posts to help you prep for the 2010 edition:

• Bike to Work Week: prepping for the bike ride
• The bicycle diaries: five things I learned on day one of Bike to Work Week
• Bike to Work Week: an interview with bike mechanic Mike Grant

If you’re just getting started, check out a VACC bike workshop, and try mapping your route on UBC’s handy cycling route planner, which I profiled in 2009. Look out for a few more handy Bike to Work week posts next week as well!

SkyTrain extends morning rush hour service to give cyclists a break

This just in: SkyTrain is going to extend its rush hour service in the morning to allow more cyclists to board! The extended service started this morning. Here’s the details from our press release:

Bicyclists who choose SkyTrain as part of their TravelSmart commute will now get the benefit of morning peak-period service levels. Bikes have been allowed on the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines since 2006, except during the morning rush hour (start of service until 9am) going towards downtown Vancouver and in the afternoon rush hour (4-6pm) leaving Vancouver.

Recently, a cycling customer brought it to our attention that SkyTrain begins reducing service to “mid-day” levels right at the start of the “bikes OK” time. During the morning rush hour, trains run every 4 minutes from King George to Waterfront Station and every 108 seconds along the combined Expo/Millennium Line between Columbia and Waterfront Stations. But after 9am, frequency is reduced to every 6 minutes out of King George and 3 minutes on the combined stretch.

On hearing from the customer, BCRTC monitored the service situation and has now decided to keep three trains, which would normally come out of service at 9am, in service for one more run each from King George to Waterfront Station. This will effectively maintain near rush hour service along that line for an additional 15 minutes and provide an extra 18 to 36 bike spaces.

“We’re seeing here the flexibility of SkyTrain’s driverless system,” says Doug Kelsey, President of BCRTC and Executive Vice-President of TransLink. “We heard this customer’s legitimate concern, saw there was a solution and were able to say ‘let’s do it’.”

The enhanced service also gives commuters more options for avoiding the “peak of the peak” by delaying their morning commute – another TravelSmart strategy.

Through TravelSmart, TransLink supports cycling as a sustainable transportation option, working with organizations such as the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition to promote Bike To Work Week (Nov. 1-7, 2010), and investing in cycling infrastructure such as the Central Valley Greenway and the Canada Line Pedestrian/Bike Bridge. SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express and the entire bus fleet are now equipped to carry bikes and bicycle lockers are available at many SkyTrain stations.

The Central Valley Greenway turns one year old

A section of the Central Valley Greenway in Vancouver.

In June, another of our initiatives turned one—the Central Valley Greenway (CVG)!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Buzzer’s no-sweat tour of the CVG, I highly recommend it.

First year stats

TransLink’s planning team passed along about the Greenway’s first year: it served an estimated 350,000 bike trips and 300,000 pedestrian trips in its first year, for a total of 650,000 trips. The estimates are based on three automated bike counters, two automated pedestrian counters and on one manually surveyed location—and the automated counters provide hourly counts, 24 hours a day.

So, I’m told the data shows that the seasonally adjusted number of trips on the Greenway is steadily increasing, both absolutely and in comparison to other major bike routes in Metro Vancouver. If you compare the Greenway to more established bike routes, it’s approaching the bicycle ridership of Ontario Street which is the region’s first or second busiest route.

A chart with some stats!

Improvements!

New signage is up along the Burnaby section of the Central Valley Greenway!

The new Greenway bridge in Burnaby.

Also, in response to your feedback, new wayfinding has been created and installed along the Burnaby segment of the CVG. The sign’s a bit small in the picture, so just click here for a PDF version of some of the new green route confirmation signage. Yellow destination signage (those yellow “finger signs”) are being installed too.

As well, funding has been allocated by TransLink and the City of Vancouver for a signal at Boundary but the implementation date is not yet determined.

And YES, a new bike bridge has been installed near Still Creek Ave on the Burnaby segment of the Greenway, replacing the rather steep bridge you originally had to use! Look right to see what it looks like.

Fun poll results: 56% have put a bike on a bus bike rack

The results are in from last week’s poll!

After 261 votes, 56% of you said you had put a bike on a bus bike rack. And obviously, the other 44% had not. Some people were noting that the percentage of bike rack users were kind of high—just bear in mind that this poll is a fun poll answered by the blog’s readers, so there certainly may be different results if we did this region wide!

Why do people use the bike racks? Well, because it can help you bike for part of your trip, or carry big items home. Here’s Alan Robinson:

I ride fairly often, so I can actually match or beat a B-line from UBC to Commercial. When I was in Vancouver, I had used the bike racks frequently when moving bikes from home to on campus, when I was carrying not just the bicycle but also some luggage. The racks are indispensable for ferrying bicycles or for emergencies. However, noone should be under the impression that one can reliably commute by carrying a bike on the bus, even off peak.

Alexwarrior emphasized that the bus is a great option to have in a bike emergency:

I used it to get back home after I blew a tire tube after riding out to Horseshoe Bay. Was very glad to have that available!

But people shared all kinds of interesting reasons as to why they hadn’t tried the bike racks yet. Number one was feeling intimidated or feeling like you didn’t want to hold up the bus. For example, here’s ericmk:

Well, I’ve never used a bus bike rack before because it seems very daunting to do. I’m pretty sure that I would be one of those people that would have trouble putting it on the rack and would hold up the bus because the driver would have to come out to help me! However, a how-to video or a demo rack that I could try out might be able to eliminate my fears. I have faith that one day I will use the bus bike rack!

And here’s Nikki:

Both times I used a bike rack on a bus, the driver had to come out to help me, as I couldn’t seem to figure it out and/or seem to lack the upper body strength to lift my bike as high as it needs to go to get onto the rack. (What business do I have trying to take my bike on the bus, you say? Well, how else am I going to improve my fitness levels?)

For mechanically inept folk like myself, having to use the bike rack can be traumatizingly stressful, and a friend and I have discussed suggesting that Translink have a stationary rack somewhere so people could practice putting their bikes on and off the rack without having to do it quickly in traffic. Whaddya say? Alternately, an instructional video is a great idea.

(Incidentally, we do have a stationary bike rack that we take to public events! But yes, it is something that we could publicize a lot more.)

Edward had another reason for not using the bike racks though.

I haven’t used them for one key reason: I’d rather ride my bike than pay $2.25 to carry it on a bus. The bike is cheaper and, quite often, faster, and I get exercise, too. I don’t rule the possibility of someday using a bus, however (say, to get through the Deas Tunnel, or if I have a mechanical issue and need the bus to get home). Some sort of online instruction would be most useful, so that I don’t have to hold the bus up and look like a fool the first time I (try to) use a rack.

You can have a look at the full list of comments for much more discussion on this topic, including why we don’t have 3-bike racks on the buses, suggestions for practicing (ask a bus driver who doesn’t look busy!) or more.

And in sum: lots of people made a really good case for having more educational materials about using the bike racks! So I think I’ll look into producing a little video myself for the blog and the website, and see if we can dredge up any more supporting materials. Bear in mind that this may take a little bit of time — I’m only one person, October is looking very busy, and I have some other work to get through at the moment! But rest assured, I do want to do this, and I’ll come back to the blog to see if you guys can maybe help me out. STAY TUNED :D

Btw, if you have ideas for another poll question next week, please share below!

Friday fun poll: have you ever put a bike on the bus bike rack?

Bikes on a 99 B-Line bus.

In the comments on Tuesday’s tidbits post, Jean suggested a poll about using the bike rack on buses. A great idea!

So why have you used or not used the bike racks? Do you find you want to know more before trying it out? Jean mentioned that a couple of people think an instructional video would be a good idea — what does everyone else think? As well: if you ARE an intrepid bus bike rack user, can you share any good tips for loading/unloading?

(Incidentally: I should mention that there are two styles of bike rack out there, and as far as I know, our staff are aware that some of the newer racks are a bit more difficult than the older racks. You can read more about what fixes we have asked for in this past comment. Also, while you’re visiting that past comment, check out the bike rack rap video!)

The Canada Line bike and pedestrian bridge turns one too

The Canada Line bike bridge is one as well!

Let’s not forget that the Canada Line bike and pedestrian bridge turned one this month as well!

The bridge formally opened on August 14, 2009: here’s the Buzzer blog post about the opening.

So far, the bridge seems to be humming along nicely. Counters installed on the bridge in January 2010 have tracked 73,469 bike trips across the bridge, as of August 12, 2010. The counters also show that 52% of the trips are into Vancouver and 48% are into Richmond.

Happy birthday, Canada Line bike and pedestrian bridge—here’s to another year of bike and walking traffic!

City of Vancouver info session on Hornby separated bike lane, Wed Aug 11

A map of the proposed Hornby bike route in downtown Vancouver. Map courtesy of the City of Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver is currently thinking about putting a separated bike lane on Hornby Street downtown, and they will be holding an info session about the project next Wednesday August 11.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., drop by the Pacific Centre Rotunda, located on the corner of Howe and Georgia streets, to learn more about the project and offer your feedback.

If you can’t make it, you can also check out the City of Vancouver’s website for more about the Hornby bike lane project. There you can fill in an online survey, or talk about the project in their discussion forums.

Thus far, the City has already opened separated bike lanes on the Burrard Bridge and Dunsmuir St. And after one year of service, the Burrard Bridge lane has seen one million cyclists!

Ride the Central Valley Greenway on its first anniversary!

The Central Valley Greenway in Burnaby.

We’re teaming up with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) to offer four Great Rides in 2010—that’s four fun bike tours exploring the festivals, city centres, and lovely country lanes of Metro Vancouver!

The second Great Ride of 2010 is a celebration of the Central Valley Greenway’s (CVG) first birthday. Riders of all ages are invited to ride the newest piece of the Metro Vancouver bike network!

Here’s the details from the Great Rides website:

At 24 km long, the CVG is a fast and convenient way for cyclists and pedestrians to travel between New West, Burnaby, and Vancouver. Officially opened in 2009, many people are not aware that the route exists, and what’s more, it’s improving all the time. Join us on Saturday, June 12, as the newest component of the CVG, the bike bridge over Still Creek, is unveiled, and take the opportunity to get to know the route.

Take the full 24 km ride from Hyack Square in New West, over hills and along the Brunette River. This is a self-guided tour, and start times are anytime between 9:30 and 10:30 am. It is important to note that the route is a mixed, on- and off-road trail, designed for comfort, but also speed. The start point in New West is recommended for riders over the age of 16.

Families, friends, and those wishing to do a shorter ride can join at the Winston Overpass near Sperling SkyTrain Station, where we will be hosting our birthday celebration. A free BBQ lunch happens from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, and there will be music, entertainment and ice cream, as we gather the group. Everyone in attendance will then be invited to a short ribbon cuttin ceremony at Still Creek with Burnaby’s Councillor Bolkow, and other dignitaries. The cameras will be flashing as the group rides together over the bridge and heads to the MEC Bike Fest in Vancouver, featuring entertainment, performances, and maintenance lessons to help keep your bike in tune.

The cost for the ride, lunch, and a package of maps and information is just $8 for VACC members, and $10 for non-members, and if you join the VACC with Great Rides, your ride is free. Kids under 16 always ride free.

To register, visit the Great Rides website at www.greatrides.ca!

And to learn more about the CVG route, take the Buzzer’s no-sweat tour of the Central Valley Greenway!