Bait bikes, loaner locks and even a bike valet service are among the highlights of a new program unveiled Monday that aims to improve bike usage and security on Granville Island.
The program is called Operation Rudy and represents a partnership across a number of stakeholder groups: CMHC — Granville Island, Project 529, the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department, B.E.S.T, the Vancouver Park Board and several Granville Island businesses.
VPD statistics indicate more than 2,000 bikes are stolen every year in the city, with an average of nine bikes swiped per day during the summer months. Last year, media reports indicated more bikes were stolen on Granville Island than anywhere else in Vancouver between 2013 and 2015.
The valet service, which includes monitored storage and a registration system, will operate everyday between now and Labour Day between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
A pilot loaner lock program will require users to leave photo ID with businesses — Cats Social House, Granville Island Brewing Taproom and Off the Tracks Café, to name a few — in order to borrow a lock during their stay on Granville Island.
Signs will also be made available to educate cyclists on how to properly secure their bikes, while the VPD will be upping its Bait Bike program in the area as well.
Consideration has also been given to the island’s cycling functionality, with more bike parking bays located in high-visibility areas.
As the program’s namesake, Rudy is meant to represent the everyman cyclist in Metro Vancouver: he’s been a victim of bike theft in the past and the new program is meant to bolster his vigilance.
“We’ve given this initiative a lot of thought,” said Janet Flowers, general manager of Granville Island, in a news release. “Working with the plan developed by Project 529, we are creating a more welcoming and secure Island cycling environment.”
For more details on the program, log on to granvilleisland.com/operation-rudy.
@JohnKurucz
