Stanley Park bike route survey begins

B.C.'s Transportation Ministry is taking another step towards making the Stanley Park Causeway safer for cyclists and pedestrians, following the death of a cyclist last year on the busy route.

Currently bikes and pedestrians share the narrow sidewalk between the park entrance in Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge. There is no barrier separating the sidewalk from traffic, which often travels at highway speeds.

Last May a cyclist was killed when she fell off the curb and was struck by a bus. She was apparently attempting to pass some pedestrians at the time, said police.

Since then some Vancouver Park Board commissioners have called for the construction of a separated bike lane. But while Stanley Park is run by the Park Board, the road through the park is maintained by the province.

On Thursday the Transportation Ministry announced geographical survey work will begin this month to identify possible safety improvement options.

Any proposed changes will go before the Park Board for approval. The work is expected to take three weeks.