VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The mere mention of bike lanes is enough to send some people into a rage, but a new survey suggests those people are in the minority.

An Insights West poll finds the majority of men, women, people who take transit, and drivers from across the Lower Mainland support separated bike lanes.

“There’s been a lot of discussion about whether this issue can be used by the Non-Partisan Association, this idea that a lot of people aren’t satisfied with bike lanes,” explains pollster Mario Canseco. “What we find is most people seem to be happy with these lanes, so it’s not something that can be used politically heading into the next election.”

Support is strongest among women (65 per cent) and people between the ages of 18 and 34 (69 per cent).

Despite the strong numbers, concerns are being raised about the impact bike lanes are having on local businesses and parking.

“Seventy per cent of those in Metro Vancouver say they have made parking more difficult,” says Canseco. “Also, 55 per cent believe bike lanes have hurt local businesses.”

“But there is not a lot of animosity toward [the bike lanes]. Animosity only shows up with [parking and local businesses],” he adds.

Seventy per cent of those surveyed also support a bike share program similar to the ones in Paris and New York.