by Harvey Oberfeld
August 26, 2024
I’ve got it! Ever-willing to help out our fairness and logic-challenged municipal, regional and provincial politicians and bureaucrats, I have a solution to Translink’s $600 million future funding shortfall.
And I offer it as a public service: no need to pay me the millions of dollars governments usually shell out to consultants! (That way, I also won’t have to kick back any portion of my “fees” as political contributions to those same politicians. 
)
First, let’s acknowledge TransLink’s major efforts and hundreds of millions of dollars in expenditures to expand the cycling network throughout the region.
A joint Translink/Hub Cycling report revealed there are now more than 4,600 kilometres of bike paths throughout Metro Vancouver; 65% of Metro residents now live within 400 metres of a bikeway; and, the number of people cycling to work has risen 65%.
In fact, there’s even a special “Rapid Implementation” Translink program to expedite more bike pathway development.
(You can read the full TransLink/Hub strategy report here: https://bikehub.ca/sites/default/files/hubtl-cyclingreport-2020-02-27_v5.pdf.)
Since Translink is broke, isn’t it time cyclists, e-scooters, electric golf carts who use Metro streets and bike paths start contributing DIRECTLY to all those TransLink improvements they demand … the way vehicle drivers do?
How?
All bicyclists, tricyclists, e-scooters who use Metro roads, bikeways, bike paths, roads or sidewalks (let’s keep it real, many do!) should be required to REGISTER and LICENSE their equipment: Estimated annual revenue, $22 Million! ;
All bicyclists, tricyclists, e-scooters and electric golf cart drivers who use Metro roads, bikeways, bike paths, roads or sidewalks should be required to obtain ICBC COLLISION and LIABILITY coverage: Estimated annual revenue, $190 Million (less the usual annual piddly “rebate” for deliberate over-pricing … would reduce net income, to be turned over to TransLink, to $180 million!) ;
It would also finally allow motorists whose vehicles are clipped, scratched, damaged or pedestrians whose toes, elbows or knees are banged up by cyclists or e-scooters to identify, track down and pursue those responsible for injuries/damages and compensation.
Just last week, motorists recorded an e-scooter rider on Highway #1 … in the fast lane … but without a licence plate, there was no way to record/report the idiot. (https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/watch-man-on-e-scooter-ends-up-in-fast-lane-on-burnaby-freeway-9403218).
And there’s more. (When I do consultant work, taxpayers get the FULL package deal!)
All bicyclists or tricyclists who use Metro roads, bikeways, bike paths, roads or sidewalks should also be required to follow traffic rules: wear safety helmets (since vehicle drivers must wear seatbelts); stop at red lights; stop at Stop signs; signal their turns; travel in the same direction as traffic on one-way streets; and, not drive on sidewalks to get around congestion (unless motorists are given that right too).
Estimated enforcement revenues from just these sources, based on what I have personally witnessed in just the past week, $150 million a year!
And I’m not done yet!
How about pedestrians?
Just enforce EXISTING “Don’t Walk” intersection signal rules Metro-wide could bring in potential annual fines/revenues of … I’d estimate … $250 million! (DOUBLING fines for those who start crossing when there are only five seconds or less left … could take in another $130 million a year.)
Jaywalking … crossing mid block: potential annual revenues at least $88 million (could be more, but maybe hard to collect from those who don’t make it.)
Keeping track?
I have … and the Grand Total Revenue (GTR as we consultants call it) from these recommendations … at least $690 MILLION a year!!!
Less my Commission (didn’t you read the fine print?) would still raise $664 MILLION for TransLink … placing it literally back on the rails.
Translink would be saved!!
The $600 million shortfall would be covered … AND there would be $64,000 left over for another reception for our politicians/bureaucrats to celebrate their accomplishment and “network” (I hear they enjoy doing that at taxpayers’ expense).
And just think of all the accidents that could be avoided, injuries that could be prevented, lives that could be saved, and ICBC claims that could be reduced (maybe even another piddly rebate before the next election?) if my recommendations are adopted!
Now, should some intrepid, inquisitive, pesky real reporter (there ARE still some out there) not just accept my figures and question my estimates, mathematics, I have a quote ready for that:
‘It’s not my job to crunch the numbers’.”
If that’s good enough for Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, it’s good enough for me!
I can even explain further…
“I’m an ideas guy, former reporter and now a blogger, and I can assure you, if Metro adopts all my recommendations, we are literally going to get the equivalent of 30 to 40 Super Bowls worth of worldwide attention for the city of Vancouver.”
Think of the money that will bring in!
And, if BC’s Auditor General examines my bank account, he’ll find I do have a better track record (most months) in estimating costs/revenues than many bureaucrats and “professional” experts.
I have NEVER “adjusted” any estimate for a water treatment plant from $780 million to $4 billion, “revised” the cost of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain from $4 Billion to $6 Billion, or “estimated” the costs for hosting FIFA to rise from $260 million to $580 million … and still counting!
Now, all this might seem tongue-in-cheek (it’s Summer) … but my point is not: Why shouldn’t ALL … yes ALL … who use Metro’s roads and transit contribute directly to covering the costs?
Just this past week, Vancouver City Council authorized the introduction of hundreds of rental e-scooters for use on city streets … and yet e-scooters still won’t be required to have licence plates, making traffic infraction ticketing difficult and tracing those responsible for hit-and-run pedestrian injuries, broken vehicle mirrors and traffic accidents impossible.
It’s time all road users pay their fair share … and are made identifiable.
totally agree with you, I have been saying for years that bikes etc, need to be licensed and insured. They need to start by also obeying the rules of the road. Thanks Harvey for pointing this out. This needs to start immediately. Not only that people on bikes in the west end are the most rudest do not stop at crosswalks for pedestrians.
Excellent article