And They Did Come By Bike: Cycling Scenes During 2010 Winter Olympics

Cyclist in Chinatown for Olympic torch relay viewing. Feb. 12, 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Vancouver cyclists have been pedaling regularily this winter and are continuing to do so now during the Olympic weeks.  The spring-like days make cycling irresistible. For beginners, it is a great way to test cooler weather cycling downtown in a festive street atmosphere.

Cops on Bikes
Before the 2010 Olympic Games started, a cyclist was already faithfully riding on the job, for nearly the entire Olympic torch relay

Police on bikes. 12th and Ontario St. Olympic torch relay. Feb. 11, 2010. Photo by J. Chong

across Canada on its way to Vancouver.  Bike police officer, Sergeant Tony Parks from Victoria, BC was cycling just a few wheel spins ahead for nearly each segment of the 45,000 kms. torch relay run.  He hovered occasionally, in front of TV cameras as he rode ahead to instruct the next relay runner and help hold back cheering crowds flanking the route course.

When the torch relay crossed into Metro Vancouver, there were more cops on bikes ahead and close by  torch relay runners as the crowds became thicker.  This full-time police bike squad is only being provided during the Olympics.  During the Games, we saw them ride

R. Wynan, cyclist with Olympic torch on Adanac St. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 12, 2010. Photo by J. Becker

 around on duty through the downtown core.  After the Olympics, the number of Vancouver police officers will be reduced to 56 officers on part-time bike patrol. One wonders why the bike squad will be disassembled  when it is well known that bike squads are less costly to operate than police officers in just cars and are more effective in neighbourhood on-street policing. 

Cycling with the Olympic Torch
Yes, the Olympic torch relay did include many different modes of transportation, including by bike. On the final torch relay day near Rupert St. on Adanac, Rob Wynan,  member of the City of Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee, chugged his way up the hill valiantly with one hand on the  handlebar while holding the torch in the other hand.

Young cyclist in Yaletown. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Another cyclist, though not part of the official torch relay, rode near the tail end for a small East Vancouver segment, on his recumbent bike.  He gives a saddle seat view for a few minutes, of the enthusiastic crowds that marked most of the relay route.

Cycling in Downtown  
Cycling did become easier since car traffic became much lighter with road closures to  accommodate large volumes of pedestrians in downtown Vancouver.  The caveat for good cycling during the Olympics was reorienting oneself to road and path diversions and avoiding peak pedestrian volume areas.   Many locals left their cars at home during the Olympics and joined the record-breaking passenger crowds on the transit system or in pedestrian walkways created by  road closures.  Road closures also resulted in some festive public spaces popping up with happy, relaxed revellers.

Cyclists on Dutch Ov-Fiets bikes in Yaletown. Vancouver, BC. Bikes were on public loan with fleet located in Richmond during Olympics. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Shared Bikes
In Yaletown I caught a glimpse of some cyclists on the Dutch Ov-Fiets bikes from Richmond where the fleet is temporarily located for public loan  during the Games.  Maybe they were the same cyclists with same bikes parked outside the Sheraton Wall Hotel earlier in the day on Burrard St.  Several days later, we spotted a single rider on same bike model on the Cambie Bridge.

Just a tiny example, if there is free loan of bikes, people might ride them a lot farther than expected or at least use the bike racks on TransLink buses. 

Elsewhere at the Olympic Swiss House (normally Bridges Restaurant), a few bikes were spotted with an electric battery pack and marked with “Swiss  House”  –most likely for the staff working there.  Convenient to have, even if they only rode around False Creek.

Bike valet parking near B.C. Stadium. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Becker

Bike Valet Parking
Although use statistics at the seven Olympic bike valet parking lots will not be finalized for awhile, there appeared to be parking use at select lots downtown.  During the first week of the Olympics on rain-free days, bike valet use increased.  Bike parking space packs in 10 to 14 bikes for each car vehicle parking spot. During the Olympics, the designated bike valet parking areas occupied underutilized walking space under road viaducts and by community centres.  At Thunderbird Arena, University of British Columbia, a venue for some Olympic hockey games, we did not see any bike parking facilities near by at all –a bit strange since the arena is on a campus. Cyclists were locking up their bikes to any railing, post or tree available, even if found in the middle of the road.

 According to preliminary comments from the City of Vancouver, cycling levels on Cambie, Burrard and Granville Bridges did  reach warmer season levels.  We look forward to release of traffic data count. Roads south of False Creek seem to carry spring traffic loads.  The north part of the Ontario Bike Route appears to be lighter, which may be partially due to complete bike route closures around the Olympic Village and signage for alternate routes, such as Yukon St.

Cyclists on Cambie Bridge. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 24, 2010. Photo by J. Becker

 Olympic Winter Cycling Traffic:  At Warmer Season Volumes
As a casual observation, there has been less cycling in the Downtown Peninsula than expected during the Olympics.  Again, it may be due to some road and path closures or preference by some regular cyclists to walk or take transit with non-cycling friends to enjoy Olympic events.  The Seaside Path in Yaletown was quite void of cyclists, with pedestrians crowds overflowing on both bike and  pedestrian paths, but many cyclists merely went onto the road.  Just a bit further west, the Seaside Path seemed to be used by cyclists often enough as during spring season.

On Cambie Bridge. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 26, 2010. Photo by J. Becker

Organized effort to provide infrastructure and advance cycling information for transportation in Vancouver, did yield some cycling traffic during the Games at levels noticeably higher than other winters.  Most certainly, large mass events must provide secure bike parking if participants are not given the option to drive.  The Vancouver experience avoided the problem of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic experience when bike valet parking was inadequate at many major venues, even though cycling was promoted to reduce congestion.

We can only hope that overwhelmingly high volumes of transit users and pedestrians during the Games, will spark rethinking by some celebrants to integrate cycling more often into their lives after the Olympics. 

 

Further Reading:
Bicycle Advisory Committee. City of Vancouver. Extension of Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Bicycle Squad. Report date: Dec. 21, 2009. Presented to City Council, Feb. 10, 2010.

City of Vancouver. “Olympic Transportation Plan Creates Sustainable Legacy for Vancouver.” Media Release. Feb. 24, 2010.

Zacharias, Yvonne.   “Bike Escort Touched By the Way the Relay Inspires, Brings Canadians Together”. In Vancouver Sun, Jan. 27, 2010.

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Rivers of People, the Olympics, Spill-over Effects on Walking, Cycling, and Public Transit

B.C. Stadium. Spectator line-ups for pre-game security checks. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Daily  we  see orderly streams of people walking down streets.  By B.C. Stadium, they are shepherded by voices from bull-horned crowd management folks perched on their high lifeguard chairs.  People are directed into security check line-ups every time there is a Stadium event or competition game. On Cambie Bridge, flow continues along the multi-use pedestrian and bike paths, sidewalks and then down the access ramps.

Cherry tree by Kitsalano Beach. Vancouver, BC Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Becker

Spring-like weather causes tree buds to break free early and encourages more people to stroll and sit by the paths.  On the Seaside Path, cyclists are forced off the cycling path since foot traffic exceeds the capacity of the walking path.  Cyclists divert onto the adjacent roads. Fortunately, neighbourhood roads are only sprinkled  with occasional cars since temporary road closures and lack of low-cost car parking discourages car traffic. With a $35.00 parking fee, a parking lot across the street from a BC Stadium entry gate remains empty.  Thus, cyclists are able to clip nimbly along in their own space. 

Davie St. at Pacific Blvd. Near Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line Station. With some road lane closures during Olympics. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 14, 2010

If car traffic is kept light during these massive people movement events, with alternative transportation options close-by, then the neighbourhood is not overly stressed.  One wonders why some streets are not closed off to roving car traffic with only residence access permitted.

Usually, sporting events from B.C. Stadium or GM Place (now “Hockey House” temporarily for Olympics), did not attract such high volumes of foot traffic nor cyclists over several hours in the North False Creek area by the Seaside

Seaside Path. North False Creek near Cambie Bridge. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 14, 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Path, except near Science World.  Usually, the Seaside Path to the Main St. SkyTrain station, would be useless for cycling after a concert or hockey event for a half hour when streams of pedestrians overtake the multi-use path.

During the Olympics, it is quite different. Even on rainy days, there is a consistent flow of people for hours, walking in Yaletown to various pavilions and then flowing into the downtown core towards Robson St.  Walking and cycling crowds appeared quite orderly without much litter left behind.

Olympic streetcar line stop passengers to Granville Island. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Becker.

The Yaletown – Roundhouse Canada Line station entrance is often crowded with people. So far, Translink estimated for Sat. Feb. 13 a total of 210,000 passengers used the Canada Line.  On a Saturday  at 9:30 am and onwards, there was a growing stream of people leaving Olympic Village Canada Line station to board the free Olympic streetcar line. As someone observed from riding the streetcar line three times during that morning, each time the streetcars were filled to standing room capacity to and from Granville Island. One streetcar has full capacity up to 180 passengers.

LiveCity Yaletown (David Lam Park) Fireworks & Waterworks Show. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 2010 Photo by J. Becker

Reflections
Does a neighbourhood die when cars are detoured from its roads or does it come alive with people?  Just ask the local retailers and eateries.  Urban Fare, a grocery store with an eatery section, cannot keep up with customer orders.  Restaurants on main pedestrian routes, are filled with diners.  As we walked from the evening fireworks display down the street past these eateries at 11:00 pm, the rooms were still full.  Usually, these restaurants are dark and shuttered much earlier.

Noteworthy is that careful people routing reduces tension on a neighbourhood.  A wise move is guiding pedestrians on sidewalks along undeveloped blocks, parkland or along retail streets without adjacent residences.

Good streetscape designs also reduce neighbourhood tension with a milieu of people passing by.  Wide sidewalks reduce crowd stress and promote orderly

Olympic bike valet parking. Nelson St. & Pacific Blvd. Vancouver, BC Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Chong

passage without people jostling each other.  Careful landscape design with raised curbed plant beds and lawns, keeps people on sidewalks.  Trees surrounded by concrete eliminate trodden landscaping.  Laneways connecting streets helps thin out traffic.

A palatable mix of car traffic reduction, combined with convenient alternate transportation options and strategic streetscape designs, can increase life on streets and liveability of neighbourhoods.

Additional Reading:
TransLink. The Buzzer Blog. Feb. 17 2010.
Sinoski, Kelly. “Record Weekend Expected for Transit as Olympic Fever in Vancouver Deepens. In Vancouver Sun, Feb. 19, 2010.” (Addendum provided after this article was published.)

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2010 Winter Olympics: A Vancouver People Movement Laboratory

An official corporate sponsor is ready. Feb. 2010

While cycling about the city and particularly around  the main Games venues, each day we see signs of readiness for the Olympics. The official corporate sponsors are certainly prepared and hoping for a windfall of more customers and revenues.

Olympic torch relay. 37th St. & Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver BC. Feb. 11, 2010. Photo by J.Chong

Outcomes of transportation planning for the Olympics will be critiqued on all fronts.  For the next few weeks, we will see the fruits from a few years of transportation planning, forecasting and modeling mass movement of people while also ensuring their safety. The planning has been executed and hopefully, coordinated at all levels – municipal, provincial, national and international.

 On the roads, each lane or road closure provides an opportunity for testing where the traffic goes and how much disappears.  Transit ridership and cycling traffic are being measured.  Some neighbourhoods are becoming much quieter with less pollution being emitted from vehicles.  Hopefully, the experience will be well documented with research papers.

From this laboratory will come new knowledge and new opportunities for realigning streets to accommodate all road users from pedestrians, to cyclists, to transit users, to car drivers.  More appealing and  comfortable people streets could be gained from this knowledge.

A massive choreography where there is no single shared music score except

Olympic torch relay by canoe. North False Creek to Yaletown Ferry Dock, Vancouver, BC. Feb. 12, 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 people wanting to travel for their own reasons, on their own terms, and on

Olympic torch flame canoe reaching Yaletown dock. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 12, 2010. Photo by J. Becker

 their own schedule between several different destinations.  The choreographer has to effectively mix people movement by air, water and land.

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Diversifying Options to Granville Island: A Bunch of Transportation Carrots

 

Olympic streetcar line, Vancouver BC. Feb. 2010. Photo by J. Becker

 The environmental “carrots” for  balking car drivers are here now: Granville Island has more active transportation options.  Different approaches to transportation during the Olympics on Granville Island, have been well underway for the past month before the official Games start on Feb. 12, 2010.

The Olympic streetcar line between the Canada Line Olympic Village Station and Granville Island,  already has a steady stream of passengers. After all, it is free for anyone 6:30 am – 12:30 am, Jan. 21 – Mar. 21, 2010.  My informal observations  of the pedestrian traffic from the streetcar onto the Island appear  to be at least  30 to 50 people getting off each streetcar.  Even on Mondays.  Streetcar  capacity is for 178 people with 50 seated passengers. 

Passenger demand is expected to increase during the Olympics, particularily with 3 welcome  pavilions  for the public –Atlantic House, Francophonie and Swiss House on Granville Island  in addition to regular market business.

Bike Parking Granville Island Public Market on mild winter day. Jan 2010. Photo by J. Becker

 Now paid parking is in effect as of Feb. 8 for 1,200 parking spots. Rates are $3.00 per hour and $5.00 for two hours, with a parking maximum of two hours.  Free car parking is only before 10:00 am during Feb. 2010.

Also the number of bicycle racks around Granville Market have increased from 5 to 10.  I have observed from mid-morning onward, rack usage has increased to summer levels.

Both ferry shuttle companies, Aquabus and False Creek Ferries, have extended their operational hours during the Olympics. Each company has slightly different hours for different destinations.

Granville Island vehicle and pedestrian traffic mix. Jan. 2010. Photo by J. Becker

The big question will be whether or not  the streetcar line and more bike parking,  will generate sufficient traffic to off-set normal car volumes on Granville Island.  It may take time for local residents to rethink and change their normal transportation modes  long  after the Olympics and ParaOlympics.  Will  Vancouverites fall in love with the streetcar line that they will want to keep the streetcar in operation indefinitely?

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Critical Mass, the Dutch Way

Part II-  The Ride.

Riding by new Olympic Speedskating Oval. Richmond, BC 2010.

Even before enthusiastic riders  saw the bikes, the ride was oversubscribed –800 people for 400 available bikes.  In the end, well over 200-300 people rode their own bikes amongst the sea of cyclists on Dutch bikes and clad in orange safety vests.  Yes, there were at least 600-700 cyclists for probably Richmond’s first critical mass-like ride with the mayor in attendance.

I was one of the grateful folks who rode their own bike. It was  the right decision, after watching an acquaintance, 5’ 3” in height, nearly fall over when she tried  to dismount her Dutch bike.  Her toes could barely touch the ground while she was sitting on the bike. I am shorter and have nearly resigned to the probability that most one-size rental bikes or shared bike designs do not fit me.

Dutch bike ride. Richmond, BC. Feb. 6, 2010.

But after a few shaky initial moments of parking lot trials and speeches by officials, we all set off en masse, as an orange river of cyclists shepherded at intersections by the RCMP police.

For just a blissful forty minutes or so, it was suddenly peaceful and quiet with only conversational murmur of cycling companions and ringing bike bells. It was a celebration for many participants who corralled friends and children for the ride and photos.

May this sunny-day group ride  translate into more people to use their own bikes beyond the Olympics. We are hopeful.

Update as of Mar. 9, 2010
After the Olympics, it was discovered 21 Dutch bikes were missing.

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Critical Mass, the Dutch Way

Part I. Preparing  400 Dutch Bikes.

Ov-Fiets bike. Courtesy of Dutch Railways. Vancouver 2010.

To promote the Netherlands during the 2010 Olympics, as a bike-friendly country, the Netherlands General Consulate provided as a service, their public bike rental fleet near its welcome pavilion, Heineken House in Richmond, BC. OV-Fiets is the brand bike rental fleet that is provided at various Dutch Railway stations throughout the Netherlands. OV-Fiets means ‘public transport bicycle’.

First task was to prepare all shiny blue and yellow OV-Fiets  bikes for the 10 kms. ignaural mass ride to kick-off  the Dutch 2010 festivities.  In one long day, Reckless bike store owner Paul Dragan and his tireless crew of six Vancouver staff members,  managed to unload, make mechanical adjustments and safety checks for 400 brand new bikes.  Paul credits  “Canadian and Dutch efficiency” for a job originally estimated for two work days

Reckless bike store owner, Paul Dragan & son Maximillian Feb. 2010. Photo by A. Bargen.

In addition to Paul, enthusiastic Reckless crew members for a job well-done were: Matt Johnson, Glenn AHert, Damian Spoorer, Takesh Hatta and 8-yr. old Maximillian Dragan. They were assisted by two Dutch Railways staff members, Gerrie and Arnold.

Each one-size, one-speed bike was equipped with an individually numbered frame lock and key, Schwabe 700 cc tires with full fenders plus  pedal-powered front and rear lights.  The bike frame was made in China, wheels laced and assembled in the Netherlands, while other components were from Taiwan and assembled in Sri Lanka.  This bike was a global effort.

This was a mighty handsome fleet of bikes for simple cycling around town.

Note:
Ov-Fiets’ web site is only in Dutch. But there are more photos of the bike and the Dutch Railways’ rental scooters.

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Pre-Olympic Ramp-up: A Car-Free Life in Downtown and Travel by Bike

 

All Translink buses have bike racks. Metro Vancouver 2010.

 As a car-free resident and cyclist living in downtown Vancouver, one has to resist the strong temptation to document(or rant)  on daily detritus on more changes to road closures, more bike route diversions, more tent raising and more events before, during and after the Olympics.

There will be many different themes on the Olympics in blogsphere, with some topics on cycling, transportation, people movement and public space.  Since the experience of living  in an Olympic city has yet to finish, either a blogger must patiently wait for story theme to emerge after several mini experiences or track a haphazard jumble of daily observations. 

For the next few weeks, we hope to straddle between both extremes. We  will offer  photos and  observations on Olympic city life — but not just on cycling, public space and sustainable communities. We just want to share with you snippets of daily living surrounded by the Olympics in our neighbourhood.  So  join us now, on the Cycle Write Blog.

Car-Free in Preparation for Olympics
No big deal. Most of the time, it is not a big deal for us after being car-free for many years   and  for over 40% of car-free residents living in the West End and Yaletown. Both  areas are high density neighbourhoods.   To own an underground parking spot in downtown  residential buildings,  can now cost over $30,000 – $50,000.

Bikes on ferry. Granville Island, Vancouver BC 2010. Photo by J. Chong.

Last week TransLink conducted an informal online poll with a fun question: “How do you feel about your car?”  Not surprisingly since Buzzer Blog newsletter is for folks who are transit users, 53% respondents indicated they did not have a car. 

Now with new Canada Line stations complementing Skytrain stations downtown plus increased network of bike lanes and paths, downtown Vancouver is  even better served for non-car, multi-modal transportation options – ferry, cycling, walking, bus, light rail and the Olympic streetcar line. Incidentally, the latter seems quite popular. We regularily see people piling in and out of the free streetcar while we are on our bikes by Granville Island.

Even Amtrak has added a second daily train from Aug. 2009 to Mar.  2010, between Seattle and Vancouver which takes passengers directly to each city’s downtown area.

So try being car-free for some trips during the Olympics.

Interesting Reading:
City of Vancouver.  Transportation: Ecodensity’s Connection to Transportation. (Accessed Feb. 2, 2010).
TransLink.  How do you feel about your car? In Buzzer Blog. Week of Jan. 31, 2010.

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Comments from Sydney: 2000 Summer Olympics and Cycling for Transportation

Last week we posted an article which referred to some experiences of former Olympic host cities on cycling for transportation during the big event. 

Maple Ridge bike valet parking location. Golden Ears Bridge opening. Lineup 1 hr. early. June 2009. Photo by Jack Becker.

As an addendum, there were  some thoughtful responses from Sydney, Australia on local cycling during the Olympics.  Thanks to Elaena Gardner from the cycling advocacy organization,  Bike Sydney and cycling folks there for their feedback!

Some key points include:

• State of receptivity by transportation authorities and the general public, was not there for cycling as transportation during the Summer Olympics

a decade ago cycling was considered purely a sporting-and-recreational activity, and cycling-for-transport was just not on the radar of public officials

• Lack of planning experience for adequate bike valet parking facilities at mass events and large scale public venues.

The problem with cycling-for-transport to mass events is that bicycles are still personaltransport devices, and thus present major parking problems. At peak times there were about 300,000 people attending the Homebush site each day. If 5% of them cycled, then that’s 15,000 bikes that need to be parked, secured and retrieved, with very large peaks in demand as events end. Event organisers or authorities in Australia had or have absolutely no experience in providing such large-scale bike parking facilties.

Check out their discussion thread on  more experiences, some information links and on legacies from the Olympics.

Note:  In Nov. 2009, Elaena had a keen audience when she provided a slide presentation on the latest cycling developments in Sydney to the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition on a very rainy evening. We are glad to hear that cycling in Sydney has improved in spades since 2000!

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A Winter Olympic First: Cycling For Transportation Not Driving (updated Jan.21, 2010)

Will Vancouver be the first Winter Olympics host city with the greatest number of people using bikes for transportation during the Olympics and ParaOlympics?  If there are days with no icy pavements, all signals point that Vancouver could step up to the top podium. 

North False Creek. Vancouver, BC 2010.

According to local and national news media, as well at the web site for Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), the 2010 Winter Olympics promises to be environmentally sustainable.  Cycling has been promoted as an alternative transportation option to deal with the impending daily avalanche of over 100,000  more visitors, spectators, journalists and athletes in the downtown core and at the main sports venues during the Olympic and ParaOlympics.

Local residents, including cyclists await with bated breath. 

Slick media images of lush white snowdrifts and snow-laden evergreens promoted abroad, are found more often at Cypress, Grouse and Seymour Mountains and Whistler.  Soon the rest of the world may be surprised to learn that Vancouver normally enjoys mild winters with little or no snow at the foot of its mountains.  Who knows –Vancouver may be the first Winter Olympics (not Summer Olympics) where there may be a visible number of cyclists wheeling about during the Olympics for transportation.  We can only hope for this result.

In the past year, leading up to the Olympics next month, there has been effort by City of Vancouver and TransLink in transportation planning, to integrate cycling as a viable, even necessary transportation mode during the Olympics. Already TransLink acknowledges  Skytrain and Canada Line stations near Olympic venue sites, cannot quickly accommodate sudden surges of massive crowds. There will be lengthy wait times by thousands of spectators for commuter trains.

The aim is to reduce car traffic in downtown Vancouver by 30% during the Olympics. Since Third Wave Cycling Group members already live and work in or very close to downtown Vancouver, we know that downtown Olympic athletic  

Mural Along Adanac Bike Route. Vancouver, BC 2009. Artist Unknown. Photo by J. Chong

and celebration sites, are within a 15 to 30 minute walking distance from Skytrain, West Coast Express and bus stops, as well as between Olympic sites. The unknown factor for many local cyclists living or travelling downtown, will be weather conditions of streets and paths, combined with thousands of people who will be walking or using vehicles and  not truly familiar with the city, its temporary traffic rerouting and road closures.

Recent permanent expansion of cycling routes may ease some congestion pain during the Olympics – with limits.  The most salient infrastructure legacy of the 2010 Olympics for local cycling, is the improved extension of the Seaside separated bike path in South False Creek  through Olympic Village. Unfortunately this flat, landscaped segment will be sealed off to the public,  January to March 2010 for security reasons. Diversions by bike to Granville Market, are abit more convoluted and lengthier – doable for local cyclists, but more confusing for visitors who might have originally wished for easy scenic bike ride  or stroll.

A few days ago, TransLink posted a public directive that no bikes will be allowed any time on Skytrain and Canada Line trains, Feb. 2 to Mar. 7, 2010.  Although trains will be operating for extended hours until 2:30 am during the Olympics, this latest change will be another wrinkle in plotting an integrated cycle-train route in even very early morning hours during inclement weather.  Obviously TransLink is forecasting continuous heavy train use at all hours.

English Bay, Vancouver BC. Jan. 16, 2010. By J. Chong

Over the last twenty years, official reports by past Winter Olympic host cities, do not mention use of bicycles. There was use of bicycles at various former Summer Olympics for both internal Olympic operations and by the public.  Brief searches of final reports revealed for the 1972  Munich Olympics, 462 bikes  for internal Olympic operations which included security, interpreters, and journalists. (As side trivia, 30 Vespa scooter-motorcycles were also available.)  The 2000 Sydney Olympics did promote cycling, walking and transit as evidenced by its archived official  Olympic web site. Athens was hoping for its 2004 Olympics to have local cyclists use Marathon Ave. to offset forecasted traffic road congestion.  More research on previous experiences, is beyond the scope of this blog article.

Perhaps London will be the beneficiary of lessons learned, including Vancouver’s Olympic experience with  cycling transportation:  London is aiming for 100% walking, cycling or transit by spectators during 2012 Summer Olympics. 

For certain, Vancouver  is the first Winter Olympic host city to proactively and consistently market cycling as a transportation option, by providing revised cycling route information, infrastructure and 7 temporary bike valet parking areas for up to 1,000 bikes.  There will be bike racks within the valet areas which will be donated to local schools after the Olympics.

In the suburb of Richmond, near a Canada Line train station, people can borrow a Dutch bike from  400 bikes provided by the Netherlands Consulate General at their Olympic public headquarters, Heineken House and not far from the Richmond Olympic Speedskating Oval.

Drop by this blog later for observations and experiences on local cycling and people movement during the Olympics right in the heart of Vancouver.  It promises to be an unforgettable ride of a lifetime!

Addendum:  Cyclists from the cycling advocacy group, BikeSydney, Australia provide their experiences on cycling for transportation during the 2000 Summer Olympics.  Great lessons to be learned by all wanting to reduce car traffic congestion during mass events.

 

Further Reading
City of Vancouver. 2010: Getting Around by Bicycle.  On bike valet parking and altered bike routes during Olympics.

Die Spiele. (Official report for Munich 1972 Summer Olympics). Vol. 1, part 2: Organization. P. 334. 

International Olympic Committee.  IOC Fact Sheet: Environment and Sustainable Development. 3-4.  Update. July 2009.

Official  London 2012 Summer Olympics Web Site. Making it Happen: Transportation. Walking and Cycling. As of Jan. 2010.

Summer Olympics Sydney 2000. Official archived web site. Not all links may work.

TransLink. Olympic Pledge: Make Your Pledge to  Reduce Vehicle Trips by at least 30%. 2009-2010.

TransLink. Travelsmart2010 : Temporary Changes to Bike Restrictions on Skytrains due to Increased Ridership and Limited Spaces on Trains During Games. Jan. 15, 2010.

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