The Transportation 2040 Plan was adopted by City Council on October 31, 2012. Annually since 2013, a Panel survey is completed to track progress towards transportation mode share targets.
The 2019 Vancouver Panel Survey was released in July 2020. The active transportation share (transit, biking and walking) for all trips in 2019 was 54.1%, up from 40% in 2008 and above the 50% target envisioned for 2020. The goal for 2040 is two-thirds of all trips be by active transportation.
Highlights:
- From 2013 to 2019 the number of bike trips in the COV doubled; walking was up 10%; auto traffic fell 7%.
- In greater Kitsilano, 64% of trips are already active transportation and auto usage has declined 12% from 2018 to 2019.
- In the last week of May 2020, weekday bike traffic in the COV increased 48% compared to 2019 and weekday vehicle traffic fell 25%.
- Since COVID-19, cities around the world are making their streets more amenable to active transportation and limiting vehicular traffic.
- 56% of collisions between cyclists and vehicles occur on streets without designed bikeways.
- 69% of Vancouverites support separated bike lanes.
- Reducing the width of travel lanes causes a decrease in driving speed and has no negative affect on congestion.
- Usage of e-bikes and e-scooters on bike lanes is rising.
- People who purchased an e-bike more than doubled their use of cycling.
In late 2015, the City approved plans to expand the cycling network over five years (2016 to 2020) and to initiate a pilot project to allow those on roller blades, skateboarders, and push scooters to use AAA bike facilities. Further, the City of Vancouver launched the Mobi bike-share system on July 20, 2016 providing a transportation alternative for people who might not own a bicycle.
From 2013 to 2019 the number of bike trips doubled; walking was up 10%; auto driver and passengers were down 7%.
Overall, approximately 4% of City of Vancouver residents are registered with Mobi as a member….the share of bike trips using the Mobi bike share program was estimated to be 1.0% in 2019.
Among population aged 18+, subscription to car-sharing programs is up to 37% from 34% in 2018.
The COV Transportation 2040 Plan has a goal of two-thirds of trips being by active transportation, compared with the first goal of 50% by 2020 that has been surpassed.
For the greater Kitsilano neighbourhood 64% is already sustainable transportation, with auto usage declining 12% from 2018 to 2019.
Despite the investments being made throughout the city on infrastructure, only 88% of Active Transportation users felt they were being given adequate space by other travellers; 3% were involved in a collision or near-miss, 7% felt uncomfortable and 1% felt afraid for their security.
Cycling has always been popular in Vancouver, but it has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Vancouver reports that weekday bike traffic increased 48 per cent during the last week of May compared to 2019. Meanwhile, weekday vehicle traffic fell 25 per cent in the same period.
Vancouver Sun
This has introduced many new bikes and cyclists to the streets of Vancouver that will trigger a peak in bike and walk share when the 2020 data is released and should maintain upward pressure on the historic trend line.
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