Stanley Park Drive’s Future: Cars May Be ExcludedStanley Park Drive’s Future: Cars May Be Excluded Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver’s iconic loop, is facing potential changes. The City’s Parks Board is evaluating options to make the road more accessible for visitors while preserving its natural beauty. Six options are under consideration: * Time-based restrictions: Cars would only be allowed during certain hours. * Time slot reservations: Vehicles would need to book time slots to drive the loop. * Dedicated transit lane: One lane would be reserved for public transit and tour buses. * Dedicated cycle path: A lane would be designated for cyclists and e-scooters. * Car-free parking lot with separate cycle paths: No cars would be permitted, with lanes for buses and cyclists. * Car-free parking lot with only active transport: No cars, with lanes for cyclists and slow one-way shuttle buses. The city is seeking public feedback through a survey until July 28th. Any future decision will require a phased approach and further planning. This potential transformation aims to balance the need for increased accessibility with the preservation of Stanley Park’s environment and the safety of visitors.
One of Vancouver’s most iconic routes may be changing.
Stanley Park Drive, the famous loop around Stanley Park (and the longest road in the city), may no longer be open to cars in the future.
The City of Vancouver’s Parks Board is looking at several options for the road, including whether to allow cars at all, bike lanes and time restrictions. A recent study identified six options.
“The focus of the study is Stanley Park Drive, which has not changed in 130 years despite Vancouver’s rapidly growing population and record tourism,” reads a page on the city’s website. “The park now attracts more than 18 million visitors each year, so we want to know what can be done to accommodate more visitors without having to build more roads and remove forests.”
The six options presented in the study are:
- A: Time-based restrictions on vehicle access (cars would only be allowed at specific times)
- B: Vehicle time slot reservations (cars must reserve time slots to drive the loop)
- C: Park Drive with dedicated transit lane (one lane would be dedicated to public transit and tour buses)
- D: Park Drive with dedicated cycle path (one lane would be intended for active, cycling transport such as bicycles or e-scooters)
- E: Car-free parking lot with separate cycle paths and separate bus lanes (no cars with one lane for buses and active, bicycle transport)
- F: Car-free parking lot, only for active transport and shuttle/transit (no cars, a two-way lane for active, bicycle transport and a lane for slow buses that only have one-way traffic)
The city is currently asking for feedback from locals, with a survey open until July 28.
“Any future option will require a phased approach and further work to define short-term and long-term actions,” the study said.
