First Look: Multi-use Path on Hammond at 203rd
A recent addition to Maple Ridge’s cycling infrastructure is a new bi-directional multi-use path (MUP) along a section of Hammond Road leading toward the Maple Meadows West Coast Express train station.
The new multi-use path on Hammond Road begins at the intersection of 203 Street and extends for less than one kilometer. Prior to the upgrade there were paved shoulders on either side of the road. The new MUP now runs on the east side of Hammond and is elevated above grade, providing better protection from traffic.
Multi-use path starting at 203rd Street
Vehicle parked on multi-use path.
An existing off-street gravel path, which connects Thorne Ave. to Hammond Road and is frequently used by cyclists, is partially paved as part of the upgrade. Farther along the stretch, a previously dead-end street off of 116th Ave now connects to the MUP.
Gravel path leading to Thorne Ave. partially paved.
Dead end street off of 116 Ave connecting to MUP.
The posted speed limit toward the end of the MUP and ahead of the curve is 30 km/h, likely due to the crossing just around the bend. During our time on the path, we observed not a single vehicle – read nada – observing the speed limit. The MUP terminates at the crossing to the West Coast Express train station and reverts back to paved shoulders.
Crosswalk and end of MUP just around the bend.
Multi-use path ends at the crossing to the train station. Bike route sign is confusing (turn left at crosswalk?)
Pedestrians and people on bikes alike are advised to exercise extra caution when crossing the road to get to the train station, as the crossing is not visible to drivers coming around the bend.
Similar caution should be exercised when crossing 203 Street at the other end of the MUP, as many drivers turning right onto Hammond from 203rd are preoccupied with oncoming traffic on their left and may not notice fast-approaching cyclists from their right.
Crossing on 203rd. Vehicles turning right might be too occupied with oncoming traffic on the driver’s left to pay attention to bikes coming from their right on the multi-use path.
