Bike Lanes One Pager Assignment

Bike Lanes Daniel Szajnzinger January 30, 2019

As a citizen of Victoria, the bike lanes has been a large issue among the people who live here. Whether or not the bike lanes is good for the city of Victoria, there are many problems with the way the plan has taken place.

The Times Colonist interviewed a number of business owners who have lost money due to the new bike path. Almost all of the businesses that were on the street where the bike path was built have lost revenues over that year. The Times Colonist found that over the first quarter of 2018, the average lost revenue is 29% versus the previous year. While this could be fine if the City had done anything to alleviate the business losses, there has been nothing done for them. In addition the bike lanes will further hurt revenues with how little parking is available now, which may result in further losses and even put the businesses in the red.

A taxi driver that also writes for the Time Colonist, Wil Richardson, has also noticed that there has been an issue for customers on Pandora Avenue. Quite a few customers have stopped ordering taxis as they block traffic while loading and unloading, which adds to the problem. This is an issue for the elderly who depend on taxis or HandyDart as they have to find ways over the big curb in their wheelchairs.

The Times Colonist has also looked into the positives of the bike lanes. The bikes lanes have proven to have many more cyclists travelling through Fort Street and Wharf Street. This is better for the environment and allows cyclists to save money by bicycle instead of spending on gas.

The bike lanes are a good idea and having them built can help the environment and provide a way for cyclists to save money. However, if the plan continues the way it has been, it is sacrificing others livelihoods, and ability to travel outside of their homes. It is best if the City of Victoria rethinks the bike lane plans, providing ways to help or avoid hurting those who are disadvantaged by the bike lanes.

Wil Richardson Times Colonist Taxi Problems

Bill Cleverly Times Colonist Business Lost Revenues

Todd Litman Times Colonist Bike Lane Positives