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Douglas Street Transit PriorityAn alternative to improve transit services

on Douglas Street from Downtown to Uptown

January 2014

Jim Hindson, Victoria BC 250 882-4830

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Background The City of Victoria has adopted a roadway option that would result in Transit

vehicles and bicycles sharing a single lane on Douglas Street in the rush hours

The public has expressed safety concerns about shared transit and bicycle laneson Douglas Street

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Alternatives It is cost-prohibitive to widen Douglas Street to accommodate additional cycle lanes

( The estimated cost would be in the millions of dollars ).

There is a need to consider alternatives as it is desirable to avoid traffic conflicts and slowdowns of transit operations.

It would be desirable to provide a more direct and higher quality cycle route between downtown Victoria and the Galloping Goose Trail.

The alternative that follows is intended as an option that could be considered to improve both transit and cycling operations on Douglas Street.

Burnside Rd E.

Galloping Goose Trail New on/off cycle ramps to directly connect Cycle Way on Burnside with the Galloping Goose Trail

Cycle Way Alternative to Douglas Street – North End

Cycle Way on both sides of Burnside

Map Inset

Cycle Way Alternative to Douglas Street Two-way Cycle Way on a widened west boulevardof Douglas between Hillside and Burnside

Just south of Burnside

Mid-Sectiontransition

Just north of Hillside

Notes: A preliminary analysis indicates that there is sufficient roadway width to accommodate this configuration. There is significant unused roadway on the west side. Further details available on request.Pedestrians (low volume) may share use of the cycle way on this section.

Cycle Way – between Humbolt and Johnson

Option A:- Northbound via Government- Southbound via Government/Johnson/Douglas

Cycle Way (upgraded) on both sides of Government from Hillside to Johnson

Cycle Way Alternative to Douglas Street – South End Option A

Cycle Way – between Johnson and Humbolt

Option B- Northbound via Government- Southbound via Government /Yates/Langley

Cycle Way (upgraded) on both sides of Government from Hillside to Johnson

Cycle Way Alternative to Douglas Street – South End Option B

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Summary This alternative was generated as an option to shared transit/cycle lanes and

to improve transit travel times and cycling safety.

Cyclists would receive a more exclusive and safer connection between the Galloping Goose Trail and downtown Victoria.

Transit operations and travel times would improve in the rush hours and not be impeded by cyclists travelling at 24 km/hr or less

Although the cyclist route is slightly longer (350 m), it represents only a 10% increase in travel distance and involves fewer street, commercial driveway, and traffic signal crossings than Douglas Street.