Dear Editor:
North Vancouver’s topography is one reason many are non-cyclists. Will a bike lift on West Keith Road (costing $1.9 to $2.9 million) make me a cyclist — no. How many lifts at $250,000 to $3 million each, will it take for taxpayers to become cyclists?
The city already budgets for bike paths (though I tend to see more cyclists on the sidewalks next to the bike path), buses have bike racks, and many cyclists, when possible, plan their routes to minimize steep grades. Some even add a mechanical assist option. Some are great cyclists.
How will the city keep people from using the lifts for unauthorized uses? Who is liable for accidents? What are the maintenance costs? Will a car lane or parking be lost to install the lift?
While the $60,000 study may not be much in the scope of the city’s budget, is this how you want your property taxes spent?
In a recent North Shore News article about DNA analysis costs being passed on to the city, a cost of $26,000, Coun. Linda Buchanan’s response was “we either have to put that onto the taxpayer or look at reducing services.”
Coun. Buchanan’s concern was about a $26,000 bill but she was quite accepting of $60,000 for a bike lift feasibility study.
Bike lifts will become another free service for taxpayers, as needing an annual pass would be unenforceable unlike the parking passes some taxpayers have to pay annually to park in their own neighbourhoods (LoLo, Lonsdale corridor, hospital district).
Both groups are taxpayers, but some easier to ticket and charge.
Soon tax assessment notices will be arriving and council will lament increasing cost pressures before hiking taxes.
Huge bills for a sewage treatment plant are looming and needed recreation centres will be put off for a few more years. But we will get multiple bike lifts.
Roses to the three councillors (who voted against the feasibility study) and raspberries to the four (in favour).
Joyce Taylor
North Vancouver
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