From the Globe and Mail:
Opening day gets thumbs up from cyclists
Except for a few angry drivers, the first day of the Burrard Bridge bike lane experiment – with one traffic lane designated for bicycles – had a smooth start yesterday.
Mayor Gregor Robertson, who pushed for the three-month trial, said people were willing to make the change.
The traffic moved slowly for eastbound drivers on Pacific Street who were waiting to get on the bridge in the southbound lanes during the afternoon rush, but once on the bridge, traffic was relatively light.
Some honked and gave thumbs down to one less lane for the southbound traffic.
“It's a ridiculous idea,” said Hazel Tam, who had to wait for some time to get on the bridge.
But for the cyclists, it was a day to cheer.
Scores of bicycle enthusiasts, pedicab drivers, rollerbladers and parents with jogging strollers were in motion on the newly designated bike lane.
Sharon de Souza rode across Burrard Bridge for the very first time yesterday – in the designated bike lane. “I was a pedestrian earlier,” she said. An artist by profession, Ms. de Souza said it was time people chose more sustainable ways of getting around. “Biking is great for you and it's also a great exercise,” she said.
