Canada Line bike bridge deck

[Grog]

It WAS terribly windy. One of those days when I curse the flat spokes on my bike. I was literally leaning on the wind. It's seldom that bad though.

I'm glad you found Oak Street bridge to be better. Personally I hate being stuck between two guard rails but Oak Street Bridge is definitely better in that regard than the 2nd Narrows bridge (which is VERY narrow). You just have to be really careful getting on it on the west side (although you could also go on the east side when going to Richmond).

Let us know how it works out!

And I will call Translink this week. Any specific contact person?

[shootingstar]

And I will call Translink this week. Any specific contact person?

It is advised that members of the public write to the Translink Board:
board@translink.bc.ca
Opening up part of the new SkyTrain extension line earlier, is a serious matter which would be taken to the board level. Translink CEO is relatively new and all board members are senior/executive managers.

To reach the full-time staff manager/person who deals exclusively with cycling matters at Translink. This person/his senior manager, would still have to take to the board level.
604-453-4563

[buddha_bellies]

I'm glad you found Oak Street bridge to be better. Personally I hate being stuck between two guard rails but Oak Street Bridge is definitely better in that regard than the 2nd Narrows bridge (which is VERY narrow). You just have to be really careful getting on it on the west side (although you could also go on the east side when going to Richmond).

Let us know how it works out!

It was really nice biking to work today. I went along Ontario until 59th and then west until Hudson. From there I went south all the way to 72nd, went up half a block to the pedestrian crossing to Oak street bridge. Once in Richmond, I just follow Garden City Road until Landsdown and zigzag my way to work. It was actually a nice ride. Took only 40 mins, which is actually faster then bus.

Oh! I found 59th avenue really quiet. It's probably a good route to head east/west in South Vancouver. The part I biked was newly pathed!! SMOOTH LIKE BUTTER!

And Oak Street bridge is actually wide enough for 2 bikes to pass each other. Yes, you'd have to squeeze a bit, but nothing too bad (unlike Knight).

Coming home, I took the east side of the bridge and did something Grog probably wouldn't approve: I biked along the sidewalk on Marine Drive (really slow) until Heather. Daniel mentioned that Kent would probably be not a good idea during rush hour since a lot of trucks and couriers use that back road to get back to the airport. Dunno. Maybe I'll try it on Thurs. But for now. I'm happy to say I really like the ride over and back.

[Grog]

Great job on the commute Buddha_Bellies! It sounds like this is going to work well for you.

I'll let my sweet partner know about 59th, maybe he'll want to ride there sometime!

I haven't noticed heavy traffic on Kent but I don't take it very often. At the end of the day the traffic would be mostly East to West I think.

Keep us posted!

[buddha_bellies]

Hello all! I'm back!

I was wondering if anyone knows if the bridge is open yet?

Biking over Oak has been pretty good thus far but as the weather warms up, I noticed I can really smell the pollution from the cars. And it's really dusty at times too. Can't wait for the bridge to be open.

[shootingstar]

Not yet.
Translink is still committed to open the whole thing Canada Line and bike bridge after Labour Day this year.

At least, it's earlier than their previous deadline, which was this Nov.

[shootingstar]

Latest update:

Canada Line bike-pedestrian bridge deck will open on Aug. 14. They are hammering out the details. Hope Vancouver cyclists will be around then.
For visitors to Vancouver, coming by plane, this means cycling into VAncouver downtown from airport and if you wish, hopping onto the Skytrain with your panniers. Or take more scenic route, ride all the way into downtown.

2009 really has been a banner year for cycling facilities so far..this, Burrard Bridge bike lane, Golden Ears Bridge, Central Valley Greenway, etc.

Take every advantage of new routes for us and everyone else.

[buddha_bellies]

Yeah! I'm looking forward to the new bridge... though I'll only have 2 weeks to test it out. I'm being transferred to another store... AGAIN! But this time, I got a promotion with it. I'll miss my ride to Richmond. It was just the perfect amount of commute/ exercise for the day too. See you on the 14th!

[bmccasland]

Gee, add Vancouver to my vacation dream list. Hopefully there's bike shops around with rentals? No need to answer now. I'm only dreaming of my next escape, not actually planning it!

[buddha_bellies]

Shooting Star: Do you have any article/ newsletter saying that's the date it will be open? I'm trying to confirm this so I can bike to work over that bridge that day. I'm hoping to take my friends over the bridge on the 15th. But my friend who lives in Richmond said Canada Line is not supposed to be open until the 22nd? I was at the Canada Line website just now and can't find any information on the exact date the Line is supposed to be open.

[shootingstar]

Shooting Star: Do you have any article/ newsletter saying that's the date it will be open? I'm trying to confirm this so I can bike to work over that bridge that day. I'm hoping to take my friends over the bridge on the 15th. But my friend who lives in Richmond said Canada Line is not supposed to be open until the 22nd? I was at the Canada Line website just now and can't find any information on the exact date the Line is supposed to be open.

Translink's paid full-time cycling issues manager/coordinator confirmed this hr. that the official opening of the Canada Line bike bridge deck will be on: Friday., Aug. 14 at 1:00 pm. There will be ribbon-cutting ceremoney with important folks there.

Access from the City of Vancouver side will be south of Ash St., at Kent St.,
Access from Richmond will be via Van Horne Way at River Rd.

I will email to you a communique with further details.

____________________
Canada Line train line and stations is a different event/different opening date. One cycles the bike bridge without needing to enter into any of the stations.