To the editor: Re: "Bike lanes strangling traffic," Letters, July 19.
The writer of this letter repeats a mistake I have seen made by many opponents of bike lanes. He does not take into account that improvements to cycling infrastructure make driving easier because they remove drivers from the road as people, particularly women, who formerly did not ride due to the perceived dangers of cycling, get out of their cars and onto bikes.
I believe the root of this error is that they do not comprehend that the relationship between the number of vehicles is not linear. In many situations, removing just 10 per cent, sometimes even five per cent, of the vehicles removes all congestion. This is particularly true when the road system is near capacity, as it is in that area of the city during busy periods.
He claims that diverting traffic from Point Grey Road will "aggravate congestion, increase exhaust pollution, and increase the risk of pedestrian injury." In my opinion, creating this bike route will encourage many people to stop driving, creating the exact opposite effects to those he predicts.
We have all seen the increase in cycling the last five years as bike infrastructure has been improved, and this will only accelerate as more links, particularly separated bike lanes, are added to the network. A happy side effect for those who continue to drive will be decreased congestion and a better driving experience, contrary to the fears of some.
Scott Lewis,
Vancouver
