There’s not enough room on Guildford Way to connect the new protected bike lanes Coquitlam has built on each flank of the busy thoroughfare on its side of the city border to Ioco Road in Port Moody.
Instead, a staff report presented to the city’s transportation committee on Wednesday, June 19, is recommending construction of a two-way bike lane on the north side of Guildford Way from Ioco to Ungless Way where eastbound cyclists would than have to cross at the intersection to a protected lane on the other side of Guildford so they can continue on their way into Coquitlam where that city is in the early stages of extending them further eastward from Johnson Street to Pinetree Way.
Port Moody transportation engineer Nobinur Rahman, who authored the report, said several safety measures could be considered to ensure cyclists’ safety when the two-way bike lane meets the westbound lane at Ungless, including changes to the traffic signals at that intersection to restrict vehicles from making right turns on red lights.
As well, right-turn slip lanes from Guildford onto Ioco Road, Ungless and Carlsen Place would be removed.
Rahman said to accommodate the new lanes, the median on Guildford would have to be removed in some parts and narrowed in others, but existing curbs and sidewalks would remain, as would two lanes each way for car traffic.
The report also recommends changes to the multi-use path on the north side of Murray Street between Ioco Road and the western end of Klahanie Drive.
Rahman said staff have fielded complaints about conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians on the path where narrows to just the sidewalk because of the CP Rail crossing and people on bikes are advised to dismount and walk.
To mitigate those conflicts, the report proposes moving the bike lane onto Murray Street between the entrance to the city’s public works yard until it can rejoin the multi-use path when it diverts into Rocky Point Park.
Rahman said the change would result in the loss of Murray Street’s curb lane for a stretch as well as a section of on-street parking spots.
📣 SOUND OFF: Do you think these proposed changes will make cycling along Guildford Way safer? What has been your experience cycling around the Tri-Cities? What more needs to be done to improve safety for cyclists and other active transport user? Send us a Letter to the Editor. Please be sure to include your full name and city of residence.
