If you thought the Kitsilano bike lane controversy was over, think again. Kitsilano residents, particularly those who live in Kits Point, are protesting a bike lane that will run through the family picnic area next to Kits Beach. Protestors spray painted the route onto the grass to demonstrate the future disruption. What was once a grassy knoll will become a thoroughfare.
The $2.2-million bike lane, approved a little over a week ago by the Vancouver park board, is part of a Seaside Greenway plan to build a bike lane from Canada Place to Stanley Park, then along False Creek and out to Jericho Beach. What Kits residents want to know is: Why can’t the path follow the park boundary?
There’s a meeting at noon Sunday, October 20 at Kitsilano Boathouse to protest. Residents say they weren’t properly consulted. The path will result in removal of at least one memorial bench and a few trees.
In addition to the ruckus over yay or nay, there’s a social media frenzy protesting the protest. Many are outraged that Vancouverites are outraged at city hall over something so seemingly benign as a bike lane. Even for cyclists, however, some of the city’s bike lane tweaks are more flourish than help. The proposed “improvements” to the Adanac bike route around Union and Main were dismissed as unnecessary both by cyclists and local owners who felt there already was enough room for everybody.
What are your thoughts on the Kits Beach park bike lane? Weigh in below.
