The gates, which require cyclists to disembark and walk their bikes in high pedestrian traffic, are inaccessible to adaptive bicycles, hand cyclists and bikes with trailers
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The gates have long been a point of contention for cyclists. The gates are inaccessible to adaptive bicycles, hand cyclists and bikes with trailers, and “pose significant accessibility challenges, add hazards and create inequities for certain users,” according to the park board report.
Navdeep Chhina, director of campaigns and inclusion at Hub Cycling, said the intention of the gates is to slow cyclists down, but they have unintended consequences.
“Maze gates create inaccessibility for people with any kind of mobility challenge. Some people use bikes to support them when they can’t walk or are not riding a conventional bike, cargo bikes can’t get through them, nor can bikes with people sitting in front.”
The city has directed staff to find different solutions to the maze gates hoping to “enhance accessibility and improve safety for users of all ages and abilities at these locations.”
Alternatives outlined in the report include removal of tight gates and possible additions of chicanes (curb extensions), narrowed pathways to encourage yielding, visual clues, signage and pavement markers, planters and other “alternative design solutions” aimed at slowing cyclists, managing “conflict areas” and encouraging “desired behaviours.”
The seawall has a 15 km/h speed limit for cyclists and separate pathways within parks, including the seawall in Stanley Park.
In 2024, the city amended its bylaws to allow e-bikes and electric kick scooters on designated cycling paths in some areas, including Stanley Park.
The current proposal asks the park board and engineering staff to study the impact of e-scooters and look at options for geofenced e-scooter slow zones on the seawall as part of a planned expansion of e-scooter access for rental providers such as Lime.
On Stanley Park’s shared seawall, Chhina said we need to do a better job with accessibility and safety for seniors, slow riders and those with disabilities like hearing and vision loss as interest in “active transportation” modes increases.
Chhina said the goal is safety and conflict reduction for both pedestrians and cyclists: “The onus to reduce conflicts should be on improved infrastructure, not on people.”
Hub is also advocating for separated bike routes for cyclists that want to go faster.
Chhina said the closure of the well-used but controversial temporary separated bike lane on Stanley Park Drive, which was in place from 2020 through 2023, left an infrastructure gap.
A proposal to create a permanent bike lane was squashed by city council in 2024 after staff reported the cost of expanding Stanley Park Drive could reach $30 to $50 million and take up to four years.
Restoration of an option featuring one vehicle lane and one cycling lane was also rejected.
The maze gate proposal will cost an estimated $828,000 with an implementation phase starting in 2027.