The snow may be gone from much of Greater Victoria, but residents who rely on mobility aids such as wheelchairs are raising concerns about what will happen with the next snowfall.
For Langford resident Tanelle Bolt, any forecast for snow has her anticipating not being able to get around easily, as she inevitably encounters uncleared or poorly cleared sidewalks and bus stops in the cityB次元官网网址檚 core.
During the recent snowfall, she said, B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 go on either side of the street of Goldstream Avenue to get to city hall. And I was on Veterans Memorial Parkway in my wheelchair because I couldnB次元官网网址檛 access the sidewalk because of snow being shoved in the way. ItB次元官网网址檚 so dangerous out there,B次元官网网址� she added.
Bolt lives on Goldstream Avenue near Veterans because of how accessible the area is for her in a wheelchair. When it snows, that accessibility all but disappears.
She has access to an electric wheelchair, which helps her force her way through more snow and ice on sidewalks than others, but often even that isnB次元官网网址檛 enough.
READ MORE: Make way for pedestrians: Shovel snow from the walkway or face the consequences
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so degrading. ItB次元官网网址檚 like being a second-class citizen,B次元官网网址� Bolt said. B次元官网网址淭here needs to be overnight staff out there with shovels to ensure public safety B次元官网网址� until it is melted, they should be out there all day long B次元官网网址� I want to see people get fines for not (clearing their sidewalks).B次元官网网址�
An email response from the City of Langford stated that snow clearing responses are adjusted depending on weather forecasts. The city encourages residents to be prepared to stay home when it snows to allow crews to clear roads and sidewalks.
B次元官网网址淪now clearing takes time. All residents, no matter what their mobility level, should be prepared for forecasted weather,B次元官网网址� the statement read. B次元官网网址淭his may include rescheduling appointments, or staying indoors.B次元官网网址�
The city purchased a dedicated sidewalk snow clearing machine several years ago and uses it to clear 23 kilometres of sidewalks along major routes.
Additionally, Traffic Bylaw No. 33 requires owners and occupiers of land with a sidewalk to clear it of snow and ice by 10 a.m. the day following snow accumulation.
Helaine Boyd, co-executive director with the Disability Alliance of B.C., said concerns over accessibility during snowfalls are nothing new to her, adding the organization has heard similar stories across the province for years.
The issue boils down to two points, she said.
B次元官网网址淚t continues to be an issue because the people who write policy are not thinking about people with disabilities, they are not thinking about how even just a day without clearing sidewalks can affect (the life of) a person with disabilities,B次元官网网址� Boyd said. B次元官网网址淭he second point is that it seems in parts of B.C. where we donB次元官网网址檛 get snow very often, cities donB次元官网网址檛 put very much money into snow clearing, so it becomes an issue every year.B次元官网网址�
The issue of accessibility when the snow flies has become even more important during the pandemic. Many persons with disabilities have become more isolated, as they may be at greater risk of contracting COVID, Boyd said. This problem is magnified when snow conditions prevent in-home care workers and other in-home resources from attending to their clients.
She points to a lack of enforcement of bylaws requiring property owners and businesses to clear sidewalks on their properties, noting it is ultimately local governmentB次元官网网址檚 responsibility to ensure accessibility.
READ MORE: Saanich disability advocate calls for more inclusive sidewalk, roadway designs
justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com
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