Stanley Park temporary bike lane to be removed, debate over permanent lane to continue for another year

The three-year-long contentious debate over the Stanley Park bike lane was partly ended by the Vancouver Park Board on Monday evening and partly extended for another year.

On Monday, park boardcommissioners voted on a proposalto get rid of most of the temporary bike lane,except at a handful of locations like Brockton Point, Lumberman's Arch and Ceperley Meadow.

However, they also asked staff to consult on a dedicated bike lane proposal that could be created by 2024, with a vote no later than November of this year.

"Idon't want us to make a rush decision, it is not in the best interests of the city," said park board chair Scott Jensen.

Park board staff gave commissioners three options for the future of the temporary bike lane, including two that would upgrade it to a "semi-permanent" status, with more concrete barriers and no orange traffic cones.

But Jensen said that didn't meet his desire for a permanent lane and that not enough consultation with stakeholders had been done on a final decision for cycling within the park.

"Summer 2023, we will all be back here again," he said.

"But it is to make sure that what we do is to do the right thing ... as I listen to the options, and I do not hear that stakeholders have been spoken with and engaged with."

The vote to remove most of the bike lane but consulton a potential replacement was 6-1, with all ABC commissioners voting in favour and Green Party commissioner Tom Digby in opposition.

How did we get here?

In December, the ABC slate voted for the immediate removal of the nine-kilometre-long temporary bike lane in order to restore Stanley Park Drive to two lanes of vehicle traffic.

But after learning the cost of the removal could run as high as $425,000, there was an about-face, with the park board voting unanimously in January to keep parts of the route in place. The preliminary cost for the proposal approved by commissioners on Monday was $333,658.

It was just another twist in the tale of the Stanley Park temporary bike lane, which has become a flash point of controversy involving cycling enthusiasts, environmentalists, drivers, park business owners and people concerned with accessibility.

"There's a lot of emotions running high," said commissionersLaura Christensen.

"Many people on either side, no matter what decision we come to tonight, are not going to be happy. A compromise is a situation where everyone comes away feeling mediocre."

A brief history of Stanley Park's temporary bike lane

April 2020: Stanley Park is closed to vehicle traffic to allow for better physical distancing during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bike routes are moved off the seawall to the now-car-free Stanley Park Drive. Cyclists flock to the park.

June 2020: At an emergency Park Board meeting commissioners vote to reopen one lane of Stanley Park Drive to motoristswhile maintaining the other as a temporary bike lane.

September2020: The temporary bike lane is removed and full car access restored along Stanley Park Drive. Park businesses, drivers and accessibility advocates applaud the decision. Cyclists do not.

March 2021: Park Board votes to reinstate the temporary bike lane citing data showing a big increase in cyclists using the park.

April2021: Citing devastating losses, the Tea House in Stanley Park and Prospect Point Bar and Grill join forces in a lawsuit against the park board and its decision to restrict vehicles in the park. A B.C. Supreme Court judge dismissed the suit five months later.

May2021: The city announces a three-phase plan toinstall concrete barriersbetween the vehicle lane and temporary bike lane to improve safety.

July2022:Shouting erupts at a park board meeting during discussion of the temporary bike lane and a study looking at reducing vehicle traffic in Stanley Park. Security staff is brought in when the meeting resumes the next day.

December2022: Newly elected park board votes 6-1 to remove the temporary bike lane.

January2023: Park board votes unanimously to reverse the decision to remove the temporary bike lane.