For July and August 2024, the City of Vancouver is running a car-free trial in Gastown. Maple Tree Square and the 300 block of Water St, by the Steam Clock, will be completely blocked off to traffic. The remaining stretch of Water Street will have traffic calming measures, patios and street furniture.
Here are some links to learn more:
- Water Street Pedestrian Zone opens ahead of busy long weekend – City of Vancouver
- Vancouver’s Gastown will go car-free this summer – CityNews
- Car-free zones approved in Vancouver’s Gastown this summer – CBC Vancouver YouTube
Here are some photos from the very first weekend of the trial:
We are incredibly excited for the trial, and the immediate results are incredibly impressive. It’s quieter, safer, and just more pleasant to be here. And there are people everywhere.
Our friends at Strong Towns Vancouver did a walking tour of the new Gastown. Check out their blog post here!
The only major downside as we see it is that it’s not long enough. After two months, people will just be getting used to the idea of a car free Gastown, and then they are going to rip it out. We think the city should commit to being awesome and make it permanent.
How can I help?
There are several ways you can get involved and let the city know that you want to see Gastown stay car free, and even expand the idea to other areas.
- Fill out the Shape Your City survey
- Contact the City of Vancouver through 311
- Call 311 and tell them you love the new Gastown
- van311.ca – If you hate talking on the phone, use the website
- 311 Gastown public spaces request – for a specific 311 request, use this link
- Email the Gastown Public Spaces team at gastownpublicspaces@vancouver.ca
- Engage on social media
- Come to Gastown, and enjoy the area
- Tag @mygastown and @cityofvancouver
- Use the hashtag #carfreegastown
- Contact the Mayor and City Council
- Mayor and Council feedback
- Email the Mayor and Council Directly:
Ken.Sim@vancouver.ca
CLRbligh@vancouver.ca
CLRboyle@vancouver.ca
CLRcarr@vancouver.ca
CLRdominato@vancouver.ca
CLRfry@vancouver.ca
CLRkirby-yung@vancouver.ca
CLRklassen@vancouver.ca
CLRmeiszner@vancouver.ca
CLRmontague@vancouver.ca
CLRzhou@vancouver.ca - Here is a handy link to email them all at once!
We truly feel this Car Free Gastown trial can be the start of an active transportation revolution in Vancouver. If this can work for Water Street, it can work for many other streets and neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Spread the word!
Vision Zero Vancouver 