Critics say Vancouver council focuses too much on cyclists
Posted October 27, 2010 8:10 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver wants to be known as a bike friendly city, but how do we rate when it comes to pedestrian traffic?
When you look at the actual statistics, pedestrians are far more likely to be injured or killed than a person riding a bike. Critics are saying council should take that into consideration when planning for the future.
Robin lives in Manhattan, but says Vancouver is a much more pedestrian-friendly city. “It’s a very good walking city, and I think drivers are very aware of pedestrians and it’s a good balance. Pedestrians in New York are crazy. They cross the street whenever there’s a gap in the road. They don’t follow the lights.”
Mayor Gregor Robertson has come under fire lately for focussing too much on the cyclists, leaving drivers and pedestrians in the lurch. Barbara agrees, saying city council needs to keep all commuters in mind.
“I think there’s been a lot of focus on the cyclists for some time now. For myself, I typically walk or drive. I’m a mom of two and I work far away… so I rely on my vehicle. Those are the two ways I get around.”
Others are saying crosswalk signals should be made safer by extending the crossing times, especially for the elderly and disabled.
A recent study in Australia says pedestrian-activated signals located in the middle of the intersection have helped cut down on the number of traffic accidents by half.
