Action: Participate in the Stanley Park transportation access decision making process

July 24, 2024

The Vancouver Park Board staff has been conducting a Mobility Study of Stanley Park Drive for the past two years. The Stanley Park Mobility Study aims to enhance access and improve the overall experience in Stanley Park while reducing private vehicle traffic.

At HUB Cycling, we fully support these goals and commend the Park Board staff for their dedication to this study, despite facing opposition.

We encourage you to participate in the decision-making process by completing the online survey on the Shape Your City website. 

 

You can complete the survey here before the end of the day on Sunday, July 28.

 

HUB Cycling’s Vancouver-UBC Local Committee reviewed the Stanley Park Mobility Study "Mobility Options" package and its associated "Evaluation Process" packages.

After reviewing the recent Mobility Options package and the Evaluation Process package, it is evident that taking no action is not viable. The “do nothing” approach scored the lowest in five of the seven categories, including accessibility, which is a primary objective of the study. Choosing inaction would diminish the park’s potential and fail to improve accessibility or visitor experience. HUB Cycling strongly supports;

  • transit and shuttle bus options, which should include connections to public transit.
  • reinstating Park Board operated free shuttle service around Park Drive, similar to the one operated until 2010.
  • reduce motor vehicle volumes by enhancing the safety and comfort of cycling and other active transportation forms
  • implementing separated and protected active mobility lanes along the entire length of Park Drive. These lanes should accommodate people cycling or using e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices, including wheelchairs.

We support the three options that include a protected active mobility lane: Options D, E, and F. For these options, we recommend that any permitted private coaches be non-polluting or low-emission vehicles, such as natural gas or electric vehicles.

 

We also endorse Option A, which involves time-based access controls, provided it is implemented with options that include a permanent protected active mobility lane. Events like Car-Free Sundays can demonstrate the value of completely car-free parks while continuing to provide safe and comfortable facilities for active transportation.

To achieve the Mobility Study objectives, the Park Board must adopt options that implement a fully separated and protected active transportation lane along Park Drive (Options D, E, or F). This measure must be supported by improved transit or shuttle services to be effective, equitable, and accepted by the public.

Your participation in this survey is critical to ensure that Stanley Park remains a cherished, safe, and sustainable destination for future generations.

PS: Read HUB Cycling’s letter of recommendation to the Park Board Commissioners here.

PSS: Read the six potential options at Mobility Options package (PART 1) (PDF, 8.7 MB).
To understand how the the Park Board staff developed these options, read the Evaluation Process package (Part 2) (PDF, 2.4 MB).