Redesign of the Comox-Helmcken Greenway Corridor (Vancouver, BC)

Overview:

• A study was conducted, titled Evaluating Changes in Travel Patterns, Perceptions of Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety, Health and Sense of Community from the Comox-Helmcken Greenway: A Pre-Post Assessment
  • The study evaluates the travel, health, and social activity impacts of the City of Vancouver's Comox-Helmcken Greenway improvements from 2012-2015
  • The study consisted of three major research components: a Neighbourhood Profile Survey; Trip Diary Survey; and a Built Environment Audit using the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) tool

Outcomes:

• Neighbourhood walkability and bikeability:
  • The redesign of Comox Street resulted in substantial improvements across standardized and widely accepted measures of neighbourhood urban design that contribute to improved neighbourhood walkability, bikeability, and overall livability
  • The Greenway improvements resulted in significant improvements to participants' perception of neighbourhood bikeability
• Usage of Comox Street:
  • Usage of Comox Street went up after the construction of the Comox-Helmcken Greenway
  • For participants living on Comox Street, trips downtown that included a segment on Comox Street increased by 9.1% after the Greenway improvements
• Travel activity:
  • Participants living near the Comox-Helmcken Greenway had the greatest increase in bicycle ownership during the study period compared to those living further away
  • Bicycle mode share increased by 49.5%
• Overall:
  • The study found that the investments made to the Comox-Helmcken Greenway have generated many intended travel and health-related benefits
  • This is the first study in Canada to investigate the before and after impacts of an intervention such as the Comox-Helmcken improvements, and to evaluate mental health and social interaction-related impacts of greenway investments in an urban setting

Equity Implications: