A local bicycle group thinks they can help the District of West Vancouver with the difficult and sometimes controversial problem of how to revitalize the Ambleside area.
Members of the North Shore Committee of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition made a presentation to council May 6 suggesting the district upgrade existing infrastructure in Ambleside to make the area more accommodating to bike riders.
"You have to innovate and differentiate to survive," said Heather Drugge, communications employee of the committee, who views her plan "as a strategy to differentiate Ambleside from Park Royal and make Ambleside an exciting tourist destination."
Drugge writes a cycling column for the North Shore News as one of the Pedal Pushers.
Cyclists make more income than the average person, tend to shop locally, spend more money at convenience stores and restaurants, and make more trips to local businesses, according to the cycling coalition.
Knowing this, Drugge asked council to
consider making changes such as placing bike racks and creating biking lanes akin to those in Metro Vancouver.
"Why don't people ride? Because of their age? Hills? Are they lazy?" Drugge asked. "No. The number 1 reason is fear."
Peter Scholefield, vice-chairman of the coalition, said cycling in West Vancouver is intimidating, especially to non-experienced riders.
Creating bike lanes and racks would encourage new riders without fear of having to flow with heavy traffic, he said.
Council thanked the Cycling Coalition for their time and effort, accepted the presentation for information, and will refer to it later when making decisions for Ambleside.
