Translink Cycle Bridge Opening

This morning I headed out from my place at Cassiar and Adanac to the the opening of the new bridge at Kent Ave and Ash Street. The 50 minute trek took me along the Millenium Skytrain route to Victoria, along East 10th to Ontario and then south to Kent Ave. and then west a few blocks to Ash.

Having recently riden this area last weekend with the "Shetland Pony", it was interesting to come back during the week to see the amount of very heavy traffic along Kent Ave. Anyone that is familiar with the street knows the area as being heavy industry, the vehicle traffic is excessive for such a small street at this time.

Thankfully, the time spent on Kent was only between Ontario and Ash, approx 3-4 blocks. The city of Vancouver really need to make the connection between Ontario and the new bridge much safer and preferably separated from the heavy truck usage.


On arrival many local bike advocates and elected politicos were present. Likewise, there was an excessive police presence, I'm not sure of the purpose of such a large RCMP presence on the Richmond side. The Vancouver police were present along the Musqueum Bike Patrol, the latter were friendly and acted as true "ambassadors of the land".


The opening ceremony took place on the Richmond side with many of the official looking types looking like they could do with a few bike rides over the bridge themselves. Various users of the bridge were present including cyclists, runners, walkers - always present was the constant drone of aircraft and the rumblings of the new Canada line overhead, the latter often scaring the hell out of those present.


The bridge itself is a fine piece of municipal infrastructure, well lit and protected from the easterly elements with an overhang. It is somewhat open to the south and west, but many of us who ride Second Narrows or Lion Gate in winter know how nasty/dark/windy bridges can get; this one will be an easy ride.


Eventually the bridge will provide some needed bike route infrastructure between Vancouver and Richmond. Until now the only route north or south was Knight or Oak St bridge. However, both cities need to speed up the development of connecting bike routes at either side of the bridge in order to create a much safer environment due to the industrial nature of the area at each end.


There can be no question of the importance of this bridge for cyclists and despite the very legitimate concerns of all along the Cambie Street corridor, this bridge, as one example, shows some good use of taxpayers dollars.


More photos from the opening can be seen HERE