August 19, 2019

How do you cycle to Stanley Park Brewing?

A new brewpub in the old Fish House has opened in Stanley Park, next to the main tennis courts:

Isn’t the bike on the logo, front and centre, a nice touch?  It’s what you’d expect for a destination away from any major road, in a park, for an active, outdoorsy culture.

So how do you cycle to Stanley Park Brewing?

Officially, you don’t.  Go to the website for the brewpub, and here’s what you find:

You can drive (there are two nearby parking lots and street parking) or you can walk (there are four paths).  But for cycling, you’re on your own.

So let’s go to Google.  If you’re coming from the West End, here’s the recommended cycling route:

Here’s what it actually looks like:

No signs, no separation, no markings, no logos.  Just conflict with the pedestrians, who will likely give you a dirty look.

If you’re coming from the seawall, there is a sign that tells you there’s a brewpub nearby:

Again, no further signage, no map, no directions.  So you gotta go to Google …

… which directs you here …

… in conflict with the lawn bowlers, who will no doubt complain about cyclists on the sidewalks after we’ve given them all those expensive bike routes.

Okay, it’s a small issue about which I am making a big deal.  And that’s because it’s a manifestation of how an unofficial cycling policy of “To, Not Through” has worked its way down the staff hierarchy.

I have no doubt there was considerable work and discussion on how the brewpub would handle an increase in parking demand – but nothing much was done on cycling (two more bike racks, it looks like).

I suspect staff, without clear political direction, just wants to avoid making trade-offs, in fear it might upset regular users, which might then upset the commissioners, three of whom are Green.  (Sorry, I mean ‘Green’.)

But here’s what’s nuts: It’s bad for business.

The cycling racks, some distance from the front entrance, are often overloaded:

Everyone a customer.  A cyclist on the seawall, passing by a sign with no directions, potentially a customer.  Soon, e-bikes and e-scooters – customers all.

And not overtly welcome in Stanley Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  1. I believe the only official way to cycle to Stanley Park Brewing is along Lagoon Drive, westbound, with vehicle traffic.

    The park bylaw states that cycling is only allowed on paths so marked as bike paths, and none of those shown in the post above are marked for cycling. The main path heading directly to the restaurant from the corner of Beach Ave and Park Lane even has a no cycling sign on it.

    https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.2907954,-123.1466291,3a,46.7y,7.02h,78.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9G4p4iwyPwEwFVtgo1Fgzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e3

    Contrast this with other local breweries. There are many brewery/tasting room options in East Vancouver along the Adanac/Union bike route, the Alexander St local street bikeway, the 1st Ave bikeway, the Ontario bikeway, and so on. Some of them have even come out with cycling beers (eg Bomber Brewing). Red Truck has cycling jerseys. So much opportunity. There are organized beer tasting bike tours now; it doesn’t look like this brewery will be on the visit list.

  2. Delicious beer, two outdoor porches, and oh my! isn’t this the perfect weather to enjoy a beer outside. HOWEVER, I find it deeply ironic that the advertising graphic of the place shows a cyclist who’s arrived precisely at the center of the building, his yellow jacket very prominent, yet it’s a fantasy. As a cyclist, I certainly don’t feel welcome. There are two bike racks, both overcrowded, and the only way to reach the place from Second Beach is to ride the wrong way into oncoming car traffic. Yet another example of ‘to not through’ the parks mentality of the Park Board. Thanks a lot.

  3. I must say I am not aware what the park board has done recently. With all those greens on the park board, have they done anything for the environment?

  4. I’m not quite sure what the whole fuss is about, I think we all are forgetting what biking is. No pedestrians will give you a dirty look if you ride by the tennis courts there. Most of people are very cool here with cyclists going around unmarked pathways, no big deal. That’s the beauty of being a cyclist – there’s much more freedom in what you can do. Lets not forget that cyclists must dismount before going through a zebra crossing, how many actually do? 1%? And most people are cool with that. I think this article exaggerating things and creating drama, the whole situation isn’t that bad. This spot is well accessible, pretty much as any part of thr Stanley Park.

    1. You could say exactly the same thing about cannabis. But the solution was to legalize and formalize it. Encouraging people to break the rules is not a good way of doing things even if some people are okay with it. It leads to unnecessary conflict, confusion and cynicism. And it gives the haters legitimacy.

    2. If a crosswalk is not marked for people cycling, with elephant feet or a sign, people shouldn’t be riding there. If they are riding in pedestrian crossings, it may be that they rode on the sidewalk to reach it. That isn’t OK either.

    3. I see what you’re saying however we currently are living in an era with media spewing anti-cyclist propaganda. Gullible people who in the past might have not even noticed someone cycling are now looking for things “those people” are doing wrong. Fifteen years ago you could cycle on a shared use path and people were friendly or ignored you, now they look at you like you shouldn’t be there, make snarky comments, pull their dogs and children aside out of fear. It’s nuts.

      It’s human nature after they discover that they’re disenfranchised is to just do whatever it takes to get their needs met. If the only choice to get anywhere is to break the law then they’ll break it. This is a problem with the system not the individuals. It’s not a cyclist thing, it’s universal human nature.

      There needs to be safe, attractive and legal ways to get to everywhere by bike. You shouldn’t be forced by the built environment to become an outlaw just to go for a beer.

  5. A pub needing a large parking lot ??? it could be an inspiration for a monty python or yes minister episode—– Is impaired riding the same as impaired driving ?

    1. It’s not at all the same. The amount of harm you can do to others is (like sober cycling) very low compared to driving. Some bikes are so well balanced that they balance themselves even if you’re drunk. If a person is aware that they’re affected and go slowly and take more precautions than normal, they’ll be fine.

  6. Regulations in the MVA relating to impaired operation refer to drivers of motor vehicles. That isn’t to say that riding under the influence is necessarily a good idea, just that it isn’t an offence.

  7. Let’s keep the pressure on the Park Board to come forth with better options for cycling through parks…and maybe for turning the roads into cycling and pedestrian ways.

  8. I was at the Pub last night and think there may be some ‘cyclist exceptionalism’ here with regards to parking at the Pub. I’m an avid cyclist, but I don’t expect to be able to ride up and park steps from the front door of every single business I patronize. My legs are still good for walking “some distance”, especially on green grass. And I’m quite adept at walking with my bike as well. I also wouldn’t begrudge a business for wanting to keep their frontage free of racks’ of tangled metal — just as we’d expect car parking to be ‘at the back’. Yes, more and better racks are needed at the Pub, and it’s GREAT that Park Board seems to be moving towards “to AND through”, but let’s not get too precious. 🙂

  9. Clearly it’s time to get back to the proverbial drawing board & DESIGN => BETTER BIKE PARKING FACILITIES — more organized, perhaps partly sheltered/screened with pergola & perhaps low granite stone wall (in keeping with heritage) w/box wood hedges?

    The other thing is more businesses in this situation could
    • offer Bike Valet service (we’ve done it for cars for decades);
    • be more proactive in offering design advice/proposal/recommendations to their landlords — City & Parks Board.

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