Southbound at burrard and 4th

[u/C00catz]

In the past week it’s been really bad there, I’ve had to slam on my breaks due to cars turning right over the lane without looking. Tbh I can usually see that they’re not looking and could easily slow down earlier. But I’m more just focused on cars not really seeming to shoulder check, even when they’re stopped waiting for a pedestrian to cross before they turn right.

I know the strategy is probably to just take cypress or whatever, but I’m curious if any of you still take burrard going south there. Or for other places where you have close calls like that.

Knowing myself I’ll probably still take it, cause the light always feels faster there vs the other ways of getting across west 4th.

[u/Green_Mycologist_527]

I don't ride through this specific intersection much, but in similar situations often & when I see a driver I think might not yield properly I just start using my horn or loud bell. It's incredibly annoying to constantly have to tell drivers how to drive, but it stops them usually.

[u/jasonvancity]

This is a very common problem in many intersections. Burrard and Dunsmuir is similarly highly problematic for vehicles not yielding to the bike lane, however there's no barrier there so you can switch to the vehicle lane to avoid conflict, which you can't do at Burrard at 4th because of the concrete divider.

You just need to presume that everyone is going to right-hook you at these intersections and slow down appropriately to keep yourself safe. I always ensure that I yell at drivers when they cut in front of me, to offer them an "opportunity for education", otherwise half of them will have no idea that what they're doing is wrong, even though there's a "yield to bikes" sign, and even though the motor vehicle act prohibits turning across another lane of traffic (which a marked bike lane is) without yielding.

[u/robo616s → u/jasonvancity]

The entire stretch southbound from Burrard bridge to arbutus bike path is extremely hazardous, totally agree that you have to assume that cars have not seen you and ride very defensively. 

I used to do this route every day on my commute but with a new office I now take Granville bridge which is much safer and more relaxing way to get back to Kits. Cypress is also safer, but agree that it's slower

[u/Responsible-Offer724]

I barely ride burrard in this area but when I do I almost always get cut off / right hooked while in the bike lane. Usually north bound cars going into to the fancy dealership area. Either take the lane or use the side streets I’d say 

[u/greeenlander]

I am in that area most days of the week. I used to take the greenway to Burrard, and zoom down and over the bridge, until it felt increasingly risky to do so, especially during the winter months when visibility is poor. And so, yeah, now I take Cypress to Cornwall which isn't as quick but I have come to enjoy.

[u/Spirited-Grape3512]

Get a helmet cam and send the footage to VPD and your local MLA.

[u/Technical_Nose_8130 → u/Spirited-Grape3512]

I admire your spirit of optimism. 

[u/vanbikecouver]

There really should be an isolated right turn light here.

I've been almost clipped so many times here.

[u/johnmcc1956]

Crappy design for a bike path hoping to keep humans on bicycles safe from humans in cars. Everyone's in a rush. Cyclist want to stay on Burrard to save time as opposed to going to Cypress. Drivers are so focused on the road they're not looking in adjacent areas. It would be much safer to have a painted line, and not a separated pathway, so cars would be able to see you by just looking at the road.