wunderkind

So my office is located along the bike dedicated path. It's still being build. ~90% completed. Just wondering if anyone has used it. What are your thoughts?

Here's a map.
https://www.translink.ca/~/medi...ay/CVG_Route_Map.ashx

More info:
https://vancouver.ca/ENGSVCS/st...nways/city/central.htm

Capt_Sensible

These links seem to be broken.

As for the CVG: The sections from false creek to Burnaby are pretty much complete, with the exception of a few cyclist operated traffic signals (e.g at 1st and Main). Last week I tried riding the CVG east from still creek drive to cariboo road in Burnaby without much luck. Construction is still going on and there's a distinct lack of signage for those like me who are unfamiliar with the route.

The lack of up to date status on this project, particularly on the translink website is pretty frustrating. That being said the CVG will be a nice option for my commute when it's complete.

wunderkind

I understand from the Translink website that the CVG is supposed to be completed by June 27th. I think the bridge at Burnaby Lake is almost complete. Not sure about the rest of the path.

sleizure

I've rode it a few times, became thoroughly lost when I made it to Still Creek from Main and 1st the first time. I think I've figured it out now, quite a nice trail. Once you get into New Westminster there is a dog of a hill however.

Luddite

I have not ridden on it, however, I'm not impresssed it is totally MUP. I prefer to stick with bike-friendly roads than MUP with people taking up the entire width every 20 feet.

wunderkind

Since I've started this post, I've used it for my commute to work. I neither like nor dislike it. Some parts are good. The MUPs are mostly used by cyclists during rush hours. My route through the CVG goes through some parkland area (Brunette River park) and Still Creek gravel stretch. The former is a wonderful place to unwind and cycle calmly.

The trouble is on Winston St. Despite the new $6 million bridge. Yes. that's Six Million for that white metal structure. While the bridge enables the cyclists to cross safely over the train tracks and Winston St, the problem with this bridge is for eastbound riders. For eastbounders, one has to re-cross Winston again about 500m after the bridge. One has to cross Winston again to get back on the bike lane for eastbound. This crossing is max FAIL eventhough it is marked as bicycle crossing (with a small sign) and two painted lines. There is no light switch or any way to stop the traffic at all. Therefore riders are at the mercy of the cars to stop for you.
There are other quirks like the wooden bridge over by Dick's Lumber. And the lack of signage for first timers.

There's a discussion going on at this Translink Blog:https://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php...unicipalities/

What I do like about this greenway is that, the route minimize on elevation changes. It is mostly flat. I don't like hills.

Capt_Sensible

I have somewhat mixed feelings about the CVG. On the one hand it does seem to be encouraging folks who are concerned about cycling in traffic to get on their bikes. My workplace is on the CVG and there has been a fairly significant increase in the number of bike commuters this summer. A number of those people I've talked to have said that the availability of the CVG has encouraged them to try riding to work.

On the other hand I have significant concerns about how certain sections of the CVG have been designed.

1. The MUP along Great Norther Way has so many driveways bisecting it that it's only a matter of time before someone gets hit. Also there's a reasonable amount of ped traffic on that MUP and it can and is generally ridden at fairly high speeds, not a good combination (I also hate MUPs and generally avoid them).
2. Routing bikes directly through the entrances to Skytrain stations (particularly Renfrew and Rupert). Again is likely to cause ped/bike conflicts.
3. Agree about the crossing of Winston St east of the Sperling bridge. I wasn't aware of the cost but for $6 million maybe something more basic that included an offramp to feed eastbound traffic directly onto the bike lane on the south side of Winston might've been a more appropriate.

FYI, the wooden bridge over Still Ck by Dick's Lumber is temporary. The ground is currently being stabilized for construction of a new bridge, possibly next year.

wunderkind

Yes. I agree having the route through the skytrain stn is poor planning. Too many people walking in and out of the skytrain without keeping an eye of cyclists. My bell rings non-stop when I go pass Rupert Stn.

Capt_Sensible

Rode west along the CVG this morning from Cariboo to Still Creek. There's active construction going on at the crossing east of the Sperling overpass. I talked to one of the surveyors who said he believed they were upgrading the crossing with better signalling and lighting. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with but at least it seems there are attempts to improve it before the winter.

DogsBody

This is actually what is happening.
VACC confirms it.

Trikin'

I rode the trail from NewWest thru to Lougheed Hwy and quit at Boundry(getting late) so I went up to Metro Town and back to NewWest from that side. I'll complete that one once the weather gets a little better. I live in N. Surrey and that loop took me about 3hrs. Here's some pix from that ride.

wunderkind

Scroll down to the last comment. Looks like another "good enough" implementation.

https://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php...unicipalities/

Basically just a lit signage that's all.

FuzzyE

Rode the BC Parkway this morning. Nice ride, although some new blacktop could be used in a few sections.

badrad

yeah, BC Parkway have some rough spots, and definitely seen some better days. there are stretches where the hedges and tree roots have made the paved path feel like a washboard. tough on the wheels.

CVG is much nicer since it's only a year old (celebration was a couple weeks ago).

FuzzyE

I rode the CVG this morning for the first time. I got lost around Caribou. I thought I was going the right way until I saw a no bike sign. Detoured along a couple of busy streets and found my way back after about 10 mins. The signage is very poor in some sections. I also wonder how long it will take until the rutts in the gravel portions get gnarly. The path is only a year old and the grooves are already quite apparent. I did like how a lot of it was in the trees. That will come in handy if the weather ever gets hot around here

FuzzyE

Coming back I got lost around the same area. I ended up behind lougheed mall when I should have been heading towards Hume park. I am pretty sure I made a wrong turn at an intersection that was under construction. Lots of traffic and not well marked. Hopefully this gets fixed soon as the ride is a pretty easy one.

badrad

that intersection at caribou and government is not a clear one. before i started using the CVG for my commutes, i spent a sunday afternoon riding the entire length from the Quay down to Science world, then back. and there are a few spots that are confusing depending on the direction one starts. definitely if i had done that during a commute i probably would have wound up riding to lougheed mall too.

definitely that caribou intersection sucks badly during rush hour, it really packs up in there, so lot better to explore it during off peak.

FuzzyE

Thanks badrad. Some temporary signage would help. Maybe next time I am feeling vigilant I will head out there with some cardboard and a marker

FuzzyE

Hi Trikin'. I've just started commuting over the patullo bridge and I am curious about the right of way etiquette as the path gets quite narrow at times. To me it makes sense that the rider working their way up the slope has right of way and the other rider should pull over and let pass. What are your thoughts and experience?

wunderkind

If you scroll a few post up, I put a link of a Translink Blog on CVG. Lots of discussions regarding this cycling path there.

Here is a photo-by-photo snapshot of the entire CVG ride!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebuzz...7619485886299/

FuzzyE

Yeah I took a look at it and they don't have anything helpful on that intersection/area. I believe my problem is that I didn't go into a section that had a no bikes sign on the gate.