Mayors’ Council may expect Vancouver to fund Broadway LIne: Vancouver Courier September 24, 2014

I am sure most Vancouver residents would not like to see an above ground SkyTrain along Broadway, which might look like  the line as it emerges from the Cambie Street tunnel. However, this is what the Mayors' Council agreed to, unless  undergrounding is required for 'technical reasons'.

As a young man, whenever I had to take a bus, I would always ask in a loud voice, “What’s the fare?” so other passengers would not think I was a regular bus user.

Today I am somewhat embarrassed by this past behaviour since like an increasing number of Metro residents, my attitude towards public transit has changed.

Rather than avoid it, I favour it since it allows me to check email, enjoy a few drinks without worry and avoid costly parking. Regular transit use can also contribute to better health.

I have been thinking about public transit this past week as a result of Mayor Gregor Robertson’s election promise to build a subway along Broadway, and a presentation from Metro Chair Greg Moore to a group of planners and real estate professionals.

Moore, who is mayor of Port Coquitlam, is one of the region’s most affable and intelligent politicians. He has a particular interest in transportation since he graduated from SFU in Urban Geography.

His presentation included highlights of the Mayors’ Council transportation plan released this past June. It notes Metro’s population is expected to grow by more than a million people over the next 30 years. That’s 35,000 people every year on average, equal to the population of Penticton.

A large percentage of this growth will happen south of the Fraser in Surrey and Langley.

Currently there are approximately six million daily trips around Metro: 109,000 by cycling, 667,000 by walking, 848,000 by transit, 970,000 by car passengers, and 3.4 million by car drivers.

Another million people could translate into another 1.4 million daily car trips unless we change how we get around.

To meet the challenges of growth and congestion in a way that is affordable and fair, the Mayors’ Council has developed a 10-year transportation investment plan.

It includes a new, safer Pattullo Bridge; a 25 per cent increase in regular bus service, primarily south of the Fraser; and 11 new B-Line routes providing rapid bus service.

Improved rail service will include upgrades to the West Coast Express, the Millennium and Canada Lines, and new Light Rail Transit lines in Surrey.

 

Of greater interest to Vancouverites is what the plan proposes along Broadway. The planners and real estate professionals in attendance were surprised by what Moore had to say.

In the first 10 years, the Millennium Line would be extended west from VCC–Clark along Broadway to Arbutus Street at which point everyone going to UBC would transfer to waiting B-line buses. Many wondered how well this would work.

Eventually there would be either a further extension of SkyTrain or light rail out to UBC.

What most of the audience did not know is that while the Mayors’ Council endorsed a tunnelled line along Broadway, it is contingent upon a partnership agreement with the City of Vancouver, which would be responsible for the incremental cost associated with tunneling “beyond that which was technically or functionally required.”

Stated another way, if an underground line is preferred for aesthetic reasons, something most of us would endorse, the City of Vancouver will be responsible for the additional cost, currently estimated at $500 million.

The mayors, especially those from Burnaby, Richmond and New Westminster, adopted this position since they had to live with elevated lines in their municipalities and questioned why Vancouver should get special treatment.

While City of Vancouver planners are hopeful undergrounding the entire line to Arbutus and beyond can be justified on technical grounds, I am advised only that portion from VCC-Clark to Main Street could be so rationalized. From Main westward, the justification is aesthetic, meaning Vancouver will have to come up with the extra bucks, presumably from other levels of government and the private sector.

However, as long as Robertson opposes Stephen Harper’s desire for pipelines and oil tankers, and if Dianne Watts wins South Surrey for the Conservatives (and the Conservatives retain government), I would not be surprised if Surrey’s light rail plans proceed before a Broadway subway. Maybe it is time to reconsider that alternative light rail proposal along Broadway all the way to UBC. Or elect a new mayor who gets along very well with Harper.

Another option for Broadway might have been Bus Rapid Transit BRT like this system in Curitiba. However, it was rejected by the Mayors' Council

As a young man, whenever I had to take a bus, I would always ask in a loud voice, “What’s the fare?” so other passengers would not think I was a regular bus user.
Today I am somewhat embarrassed by this past behaviour since like an increasing number of Metro residents, my attitude towards public transit has changed.
Rather than avoid it, I favour it since it allows me to check email, enjoy a few drinks without worry and avoid costly parking. Regular transit use can also contribute to better health.
I have been thinking about public transit this past week as a result of Mayor Gregor Robertson’s election promise to build a subway along Broadway, and a presentation from Metro Chair Greg Moore to a group of planners and real estate professionals.
Moore, who is mayor of Port Coquitlam, is one of the region’s most affable and intelligent politicians. He has a particular interest in transportation since he graduated from SFU in Urban Geography.
His presentation included highlights of the Mayors’ Council transportation plan released this past June. It notes Metro’s population is expected to grow by more than a million people over the next 30 years. That’s 35,000 people every year on average, equal to the population of Penticton.
A large percentage of this growth will happen south of the Fraser in Surrey and Langley.
Currently there are approximately six million daily trips around Metro: 109,000 by cycling, 667,000 by walking, 848,000 by transit, 970,000 by car passengers, and 3.4 million by car drivers.
Another million people could translate into another 1.4 million daily car trips unless we change how we get around.
To meet the challenges of growth and congestion in a way that is affordable and fair, the Mayors’ Council has developed a 10-year transportation investment plan.
It includes a new, safer Pattullo Bridge; a 25 per cent increase in regular bus service, primarily south of the Fraser; and 11 new B-Line routes providing rapid bus service.
Improved rail service will include upgrades to the West Coast Express, the Millennium and Canada Lines, and new Light Rail Transit lines in Surrey.
Of greater interest to Vancouverites is what the plan proposes along Broadway. The planners and real estate professionals in attendance were surprised by what Moore had to say.
In the first 10 years, the Millennium Line would be extended west from VCC–Clark along Broadway to Arbutus Street at which point everyone going to UBC would transfer to waiting B-line buses. Many wondered how well this would work.
Eventually there would be either a further extension of SkyTrain or light rail out to UBC.
What most of the audience did not know is that while the Mayors’ Council endorsed a tunnelled line along Broadway, it is contingent upon a partnership agreement with the City of Vancouver, which would be responsible for the incremental cost associated with tunneling “beyond that which was technically or functionally required.”
Stated another way, if an underground line is preferred for aesthetic reasons, something most of us would endorse, the City of Vancouver will be responsible for the additional cost, currently estimated at $500 million.
The mayors, especially those from Burnaby, Richmond and New Westminster, adopted this position since they had to live with elevated lines in their municipalities and questioned why Vancouver should get special treatment.
While City of Vancouver planners are hopeful undergrounding the entire line to Arbutus and beyond can be justified on technical grounds, I am advised only that portion from VCC-Clark to Main Street could be so rationalized. From Main westward, the justification is aesthetic, meaning Vancouver will have to come up with the extra bucks, presumably from other levels of government and the private sector.
However, as long as Robertson opposes Stephen Harper’s desire for pipelines and oil tankers, and if Dianne Watts wins South Surrey for the Conservatives (and the Conservatives retain government), I would not be surprised if Surrey’s light rail plans proceed before a Broadway subway. Maybe it is time to reconsider that alternative light rail proposal along Broadway all the way to UBC. Or elect a new mayor who gets along very well with Harper.
twitter.com/michaelgeller
- See more at: http://www.vancourier.com/opinion/columnists/mayors-council-may-expect-vancouver-to-fund-broadway-line-1.1385963#sthash.gHT7duUg.aiv7kXLX.dpuf

As a young man, whenever I had to take a bus, I would always ask in a loud voice, “What’s the fare?” so other passengers would not think I was a regular bus user.

Today I am somewhat embarrassed by this past behaviour since like an increasing number of Metro residents, my attitude towards public transit has changed.

Rather than avoid it, I favour it since it allows me to check email, enjoy a few drinks without worry and avoid costly parking. Regular transit use can also contribute to better health.

I have been thinking about public transit this past week as a result of Mayor Gregor Robertson’s election promise to build a subway along Broadway, and a presentation from Metro Chair Greg Moore to a group of planners and real estate professionals.

Moore, who is mayor of Port Coquitlam, is one of the region’s most affable and intelligent politicians. He has a particular interest in transportation since he graduated from SFU in Urban Geography.

His presentation included highlights of the Mayors’ Council transportation plan released this past June. It notes Metro’s population is expected to grow by more than a million people over the next 30 years. That’s 35,000 people every year on average, equal to the population of Penticton.

A large percentage of this growth will happen south of the Fraser in Surrey and Langley.

Currently there are approximately six million daily trips around Metro: 109,000 by cycling, 667,000 by walking, 848,000 by transit, 970,000 by car passengers, and 3.4 million by car drivers.

Another million people could translate into another 1.4 million daily car trips unless we change how we get around.

To meet the challenges of growth and congestion in a way that is affordable and fair, the Mayors’ Council has developed a 10-year transportation investment plan.

It includes a new, safer Pattullo Bridge; a 25 per cent increase in regular bus service, primarily south of the Fraser; and 11 new B-Line routes providing rapid bus service.

Improved rail service will include upgrades to the West Coast Express, the Millennium and Canada Lines, and new Light Rail Transit lines in Surrey.

Of greater interest to Vancouverites is what the plan proposes along Broadway. The planners and real estate professionals in attendance were surprised by what Moore had to say.

In the first 10 years, the Millennium Line would be extended west from VCC–Clark along Broadway to Arbutus Street at which point everyone going to UBC would transfer to waiting B-line buses. Many wondered how well this would work.

Eventually there would be either a further extension of SkyTrain or light rail out to UBC.

What most of the audience did not know is that while the Mayors’ Council endorsed a tunnelled line along Broadway, it is contingent upon a partnership agreement with the City of Vancouver, which would be responsible for the incremental cost associated with tunneling “beyond that which was technically or functionally required.”

Stated another way, if an underground line is preferred for aesthetic reasons, something most of us would endorse, the City of Vancouver will be responsible for the additional cost, currently estimated at $500 million.

The mayors, especially those from Burnaby, Richmond and New Westminster, adopted this position since they had to live with elevated lines in their municipalities and questioned why Vancouver should get special treatment.

While City of Vancouver planners are hopeful undergrounding the entire line to Arbutus and beyond can be justified on technical grounds, I am advised only that portion from VCC-Clark to Main Street could be so rationalized. From Main westward, the justification is aesthetic, meaning Vancouver will have to come up with the extra bucks, presumably from other levels of government and the private sector.

However, as long as Robertson opposes Stephen Harper’s desire for pipelines and oil tankers, and if Dianne Watts wins South Surrey for the Conservatives (and the Conservatives retain government), I would not be surprised if Surrey’s light rail plans proceed before a Broadway subway. Maybe it is time to reconsider that alternative light rail proposal along Broadway all the way to UBC. Or elect a new mayor who gets along very well with Harper.

twitter.com/michaelgeller

- See more at: http://www.vancourier.com/opinion/columnists/mayors-council-may-expect-vancouver-to-fund-broadway-line-1.1385963#sthash.gHT7duUg.aiv7kXLX.dpuf

A delightful stay at Hotel Bellwether, Bellingham

I am a sucker for silent auctions.

Over the years, I have made many purchases, often the items that others were not bidding on. As a result, I have enjoyed some unique experiences.

One of the best buys was a week's timeshare stay anywhere in the world. (We ended up at a resort in Queretaro Mexico). Closer to home we have enjoyed a family helicopter outing and hotel stay in Victoria, and a float plane/ferry/limousine/ package to Doc Martin's restaurant on Bowen Island.

I have bought many hotel and golf packages at places we would not normally frequent. (A visit to Petty Estate- Rowena's/Sandpiper golf course in Harrison Mills was a most pleasant surprise.)

Some of the worst buys have included coupons for physical fitness assessments and training that are sitting in a drawer, having long ago expired!
One of our most recent buys was a package donated to the Vancouver Symphony by the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Washington. It included a stay in their Lighthouse Suite, a three hour cruise around the area, and dinner with wine in their restaurant.

I was curious why a hotel in Bellingham was making such a generous donation to the Symphony until I learned that it is owned by Andre and Julie Molnar. Yes, that Andre Molnar! The property is part of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts network and is located within the Bellingham Port redevelopment area.

In front of the hotel are new office and retail developments exuding a very attractive industrial waterfront aesthetic.

We had such a good experience I had to write about it, especially since I suspect many of you, like me, were not aware the Bellingham port has undergone a substantial redevelopment that includes this upscale resort hotel, numerous good restaurants and boating facilities.

Surprisingly, it took less than an hour from our Southlands home to the hotel, including going through the Nexus border crossing.

The waterfront hotel www.hotelbellwether.com was developed by an Arizona developer and Andre bought it around seven years ago. He was familiar with the property since departing the Vancouver condo scene (he was the city's Condo King when I first arrived in Vancouver in the 70's) he has been active in the Bellingham market.

The hotel has a variety of rooms and suites and is surprisingly upmarket. But then, Bellingham is becoming a very attractive tourist destination, especially for people from Seattle and boaters.

(When we decided to have a last-minute golfing holiday in the area six weeks ago, this hotel, and most nearby properties, including the Chrysalis Inn and Semiahmoo were full.)

This part of Washington State is a most attractive area to cruise on the hotel's boat.

We didn't go hungry, or thirsty!

Part of the appeal of the area is the good boating, beautiful scenery and a lot of good restaurants and interesting (and reasonably priced) golf courses.

There are a lot of very high end properties along the Bellingham waterfront. Fortunately our captain was also in the real estate business and knew the owners and stories related to many of these properties.

Although the weather was not perfect, it didn't really matter....the scenery was quite fascinating, including this inlet full of fossils.

The Lighthouse Suite has its own entrance and parking!

If you go, you don't have to stay in the Lighthouse. But if you do, you'll find a three level suite with a rooftop lookout, a kitchenette, a winding staircase, and reserved parking outside the door. According to the hotel brochure you can also arrange for a private butler, champagne and caviar.

The restaurant was very good. If you have seen the movie The Hundred-foot Journey you will know that the owner of the Michelin star restaurant assessed a chef's capabilities by how well he could make an omelette. I mention this since after a very good dinner that included a seafood risotto and bouillabaisse, Sally and I enjoyed excellent omelettes the following morning.

I can highly recommend a weekend escape to the Hotel Bellwether. Although it is not far away, you feel like you are far away. When you book, arrange for a boat trip around the area. Eat in the hotel restaurant and check out the nearby restaurants in walking distance.

If you know Andre, tell him you are going. But if you don't know Andre, when you arrive ask for Jim Haupt, the General Manager. He took very good care of us, and I suspect he'll take care of you too.
Let me know what you think of the place.

Do bicycles need to become registered? Vancouver Courier September 17, 2014

A number of Vancouver area patients had their long-awaited surgeries postponed earlier this month.

Their surgeon was hit by a cyclist as he crossed the road and was unable to work. He suffered three broken ribs, a black eye and other scrapes and bruises.

Fortunately, he is now back at work and will not likely experience any lasting physical effects from the accident. But as a small group gathered around him at a recent dinner party where he displayed his wounds, the question came up as to what would have happened had he not been able to return to work?

Had he been hit by a motorist, ICBC would have likely compensated him for his injuries and loss of income. However, since he was hit by an uninsured cyclist, although he could sue, he would likely be out of luck.

This prompted a question that is frequently voiced in cities around the world: “Should bicycles be registered?” 

I promised to do some research on the pros and cons of registration. However, having once proposed the idea myself to former city councillor Gordon Price following a personal incident involving a cyclist, I knew the cons would likely outweigh the pros.

In my case, I was driving at the time and not injured. What made the accident remarkable was that I did not hit a cyclist; a cyclist hit me as I was waiting for someone to vacate a parking space.

As the cyclist lay motionless on the pavement, I feared he was seriously injured. I also feared that no one would ever believe that a well-dressed middle-aged real estate developer driving a large Lexus SUV was somehow not responsible for his injuries.

Fortunately a witness came forward and told the police he saw the whole thing. The cyclist was a courier and apparently had been “bunny-hopping” down the sidewalk before hitting my car.

Fortunately he recovered. However, I had to pay to repair the damage he did to my car.

As a child growing up in Toronto, I had a licence plate on my bicycle because it was a legal requirement from 1935 to 1957. However, the law was discontinued because, according to Toronto authorities, “it often resulted in an unconscious contravention by young children and poor public relations with police officers.”

Toronto considered bringing back bicycle registration in 1984, 1992 and 1996 to address bike theft, riding on sidewalks and traffic law compliance, and couriers. However, each time registration was rejected since the costs were estimated to be far greater than the revenues.

 

Other countries around the world have either implemented bicycle registration programs or considered doing so.

Until recently, it was compulsory to register a bicycle in Switzerland as a way of getting cyclists to purchase third party liability insurance. However, earlier this decade, the Swiss parliament abolished the licences since the costs far outstripped the revenues.

Japan is one country that does require all new and resale bicycles to be registered with the local government. This is done as an anti-theft measure. New bicycles are registered at the time of purchase.

Resale bicycles are registered at a neighbourhood police station with appropriate documentation to prove they have not been stolen.

In Vancouver, arguments in favour of bicycle registration are: it will help ensure cyclists pay their fair share towards road improvements; licensing and registration programs will make cyclists more lawful; bicycle registration will reduce theft; and as the surgeon pointed out, increase the likelihood that third-party insurance is in place.

Arguments against a registration program are: rather than raise money, it would cost money; it would discourage people from cycling at a time when we want to do the opposite; and it would be difficult to enforce.

For these reasons, I do not expect bicycle registration in Vancouver’s immediate future. However, we do need to do a better job of preventing bike theft and discouraging reckless and unlawful behaviour by cyclists.

After all, none of us wants to have our surgery cancelled because our doctor has been hit by a cyclist and is lying in a nearby hospital bed.

michaelarthurgeller@gmail.com
twitter.com/michaelgeller

- See more at: http://www.vancourier.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-do-bicycles-need-to-become-registered-1.1377562#sthash.3HqkCY5N.dpuf

Here are a few of the responses I received:

Dear Mr. Geller,

I am a cyclist and I believe that bikes should be registered. Furthermore, I think that an annual registration fee of $25 would be appropriate. I save hundreds of dollars in gas and parking and transit fees using my bike, so can easily afford a small annual registration fee.

 

The advantages of bike registration are manifold. Tags should be available through ICBC agents who would presumably raise the complaint the ‘there isn’t enough money in it’ to make it worth their while. The government should advise them that auto insurance is the only insurance people can’t buy online. Unless they embrace bike registration, auto insurance could and should be made available for purchase online.

Tags should take the form of a 3” x 4” aluminum plate and be fastened on the left front hub; there should be space provided for an annual decal. Prior to issue tags should be cycled through a shelter workshop, where the registrant’s bike serial number should be stamped on it, This would reduce possibility of switching tags between bikes and it would help to reduce bike theft by making it difficult to get a tag for a bike that already had been issued with one. Tags would also assist law enforcement apprehend and ticket offenders.

Registration along these lines would do much to reduce the animosity that exists between some motorists and cyclists. The motorist’s perception seems to be ‘I’m paying for everything and getting nothing whereas the cyclist is getting millions spent on infrastructure and paying nothing for it and at the same time, breaks every rule of the road without consequence’.  To that specific point maybe all police officers should be required to do at least one patrol per week on a bike.  

If you would like more of my thoughts on this matter…please let me know.

Hello Michael.
Yes. Yes. Yes. It is time for a bike registry , with a cute, little, but visible, license plate on every bike. Bikers must be responsible for their "vehicular" behaviour. And when they do damage they should have to pay.  I believe there is a paralyzed tourist due to a cyclist who was unidentifiable as he raced off along the seawall.  If she was hit by car she would have recourse. I would like to be able to
report cyclists on the sidewalks who are sideswiping seniors and  bowling over baby buggies. I think we should raise our "expectations" about a registry/licensing and use civic election to promote the issue.  Seems like the main crime that keeps growing is bike theft.

Ps. I remember VPD sticker on my childhood bike.