Victoria aspires to become a cyclists’ haven

Victoria aspires to become a cyclists’ haven

Victoria's new bike lanes create confusion and anxiety. 

The city has introduced an initial one-kilometer protected two-way bike lane in May 2017. The new bike corridor separates cyclists from the motor vehicle traffic and promises a safe travel to and from downtown on Pandora Avenue.

Cycling advocates had demanded adaptations for cyclists from the City for years. Two years ago the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition actively pushed for a cycling infrastructure after the death of a 74-year old cyclist in downtown. The Pandora Avenue bike lane is the first step of a network of bike lanes in the city. The total cost of the network is expected to be approximately $9 million.

The new lanes introduced new traffic patterns and changes in rules. The City of Victoria website shares instructions and educational videos on the new features for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Test rides were organized after the opening of the lanes in last May.

However, a two-way bike lane is creating a very confusing traffic experience for both motorists and cyclists in the city. The new rules forbid cars riding down Pandora Avenue to turn right as this would mean cutting the two-way bike lane and causing accidents. Yet this rule seems not to be followed. On the other hand, certain turns from and to the bike lane requires two separate moves for the cyclists adding to the confusion.

Initial feasibility studies on bike lane infrastructure, shared on the website of the City of Victoria, demonstrated that a one-way option would mean one bike lane along Pandora Avenue direction downtown, and one along Johnson Avenue eastward. On a one-way bike lane, the cyclists would ride the same direction as the motor vehicle traffic. Currently, cyclists coming from downtown ride against the motor traffic. This may make some cyclists feel anxious and can be a fearful experience for less skilled.

According to the same study, the difference between one-way and two-way bike lanes can be summarized in terms of cost and parking space loss. One-way bike lanes are slightly more expensive, and would require the loss of 78 parking spots while a two-way bike lane only asked for 44 spots to be removed.

One-way bike lanes offer a safer option to all parties in the traffic. They allow easy direction changes on intersections. The City says it will expand bike lanes to neighborhoods and connect municipalities. More one-way bike lanes would make riding easy and safer for cyclists of all skill levels.