For a long time, Vancouver’s “bike network” relied heavily on streets that had no cycling infrastructure besides sharrows and signs. These streets saw heavy usership despite the lack of infrastructure, because the quiet, residential nature of the streets and the volume of users led to a feeling of safety.
One of the most famous of these streets is 10th Avenue, often called the “10th Avenue Bikeway” despite its lack of infrastructure. Every day during rushhour, groups of dozens of cyclists would form on this corridor, braving uncontrolled crossings at major corridors.
Recently, I have been exploring the area to see what has changed since I moved away. Some of the changes are shocking — in a good way.
10th Avenue now has protected bike lanes. Crossings that were once only a stop sign (and thus very dangerous to attempt by bike) now have lights. Modal filters have been installed. Not everywhere, but in several of the more problematic areas. For a city that was once loathe to install physical infrastructure, this is a huge gain, especially when the current municipal government is somewhat conservative.
2018
2020
In Richmond, it’s breathtaking to see the amount of buildings that have gone up since I moved out of the city. Areas that were nearly 100% greenfield and brownfield are now completely built-up. Dozens of terrible, dilapidated strip malls with huge parking lots are now gone, replaced with beautiful mixed-use buildings that elevate the street experience with large pedestrian spaces and vegetation.
Number 3 Road / Sea Island Way, 2015
Number 3 Road / Sea Island Way, 2024
(I can’t believe that the Yuanheng lot still hasn’t started construction!)
(This is the area where the infill station was added on the Canada Line)
Richmond-Brighouse station, 2017
Richmond-Brighouse station, 2024
Richmond Centre Mall, 2020 (!!)
Richmond Centre Mall, 2024
I really wish there was an AgoraYVR, because it seems like so much excellent urbanism is happening in the area, and the only way to discover it is if you know where to look on StreetView.