“…designed the Vancouver side …”

I assume you mean “downtown” side? Both sides of the bridge are in Vancouver….

“…I drive a Toyota Yaris which is not a horrible CO2 polluter. …”

Yes the Yaris is definitely one of the best cars. Thank you for not driving a bigger polluter.

But, even if all car drivers switched to the Yaris our CO2 emissions would still be way too high (not to mention all the other environmental, social and health costs associated with cars). The evidence is we need to reduce CO2 emissions by something like 80-90%. Which means switching to fuel efficient cars will not be enough. Doesn’t that mean we need to get more people out of cars and into other forms of transportation?

Isn’t that why the Burrard bridge trail is a good step forward? It gives people a safer option for cycling and also helps discourage driving.

“…the Vancouver Police Department are not regulating the cyclists…”

As others have pointed out the evidence suggests that in areas were the police don’t regulate helmet use cyclists are actually safer. Not that helmets are bad, but in these jurisdictions there are stricter laws for motorists interacting with cyclists and more is done to encourage cycling.

“…pedestrian and cyclist only bridge built…

As I mentioned the science is quite clear that we need to decrease motor vehicle use significantly if we are to reduce the effects of climate change. This means that there will be plenty of extra space on the Burrard Bridge. Why would we spend millions on a new bridge when we will have plenty of under-used bridges?

Regarding cyclists not wearing helmets, it is their business, not yours. Most countries in the world, including Denmark, Holland and China, where most people cycling, people don’t wear helmets yet their fatality rates are much lower than here. It is time to stop the nanny state and get rid of the helmet law. While I encourage people to wear helmets, it should be a matter of personal choice. You might be shocked to learn that the helmet law is practically the only law that the Vancouver police enforce regarding cycling. Over 3,000 tickets have been issued this year. It spite of all this enforcement, people still don’t wear helmets.