Walking and cycling groups are rallying for immediate improvements to Shelbourne Street in Saanich, with traffic lessened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Greater Victoria Pedestrian Advocacy Organization and the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition want to see temporary barriers installed for protected bike lanes, and wider sidewalks along the corridor. They hope such changes could be adopted permanently as part of the District of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 ongoing improvements along Shelbourne Street.
B次元官网网址淒uring the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have faced a lifestyle change,B次元官网网址� said Amanda Macdonald, Chair of Walk On, Victoria in a press release. B次元官网网址淭here is now the opportunity to re-evaluate our streets and public spaces to implement measures for health and safety and to facilitate active transportation.B次元官网网址�
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The groups noted that with many people working from home and the University of Victoria and Camosun College suspending most on-campus activity, traffic along Shelbourne has significantly decreased. They believe the wider sidewalks will create a safer environment for pedestrians, not only by creating more space between vehicle traffic, but allowing more room for people to social distance.
B次元官网网址淚f our proposal is implemented now, the bike lanes and widened sidewalks that are temporarily created will give people an opportunity to increase travel on foot and by bike while it is summer, days are long, the weather is good, and people of all ages want to get outdoors,B次元官网网址� the release stated. B次元官网网址淔amilies who want to introduce their children to cycling for transportation will have a safe, protected bike lane to use. Automobile drivers will get used to the new street configuration while fewer cars are on the road. The timing is perfect.B次元官网网址�
Making changes now, they say, would also help in the push for more residents to use alternative modes of transportation, and in turn, create a B次元官网网址渉ealthier travel environment on this heavily travelled street.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淪aanich has declared a climate emergency,B次元官网网址� Macdonald said. B次元官网网址淭his proposal will keep with SaanichB次元官网网址檚 goals to reduce greenhouse gases and be a jump start toward already established environmental targets.B次元官网网址�
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