Date: May 10, 2000

CC File No.: 5701
T&T: May 30, 2000

Memo to: Traffic & Transportation Committee
May 30, 2000

From: Councillor Sandy McCormick

Re: Seniors Sidewalk Safety Meeting

April 25, 2000

Present: Councillor Sandy McCormick

Councillor Tim Louis
Mary Bosze, Seniors Committee
Sophie King, Seniors Committee
Colleen Goodrich, South Granville Seniors
Cy Harrod, South Granville Seniors
Susan Mele, Kerrisdale Community Centre
Gillian Watson-Donald, Seniors Committee
Don Brynildsen, Elizabeth Ballard, Rowan Birch, Ian Adam, Winston Chou - Engineering
Anne Kloppenborg, Social Planning

Councillor McCormick thanked everyone for attending.

Participants identified a number of barriers to pedestrian safety and sidewalk access and a very positive discussion ensued. Staff identified a number of initiatives which are currently taking place and constructive suggestions were made, such as development of safe travel path standards on sidewalks.

Issues affect seniors, but also affect people with disabilities and other members of the public. It was agreed that a broader group discussion would be beneficial, aimed at recommendations which can be implemented and do not duplicate existing initiatives. This "strategic working group" could include:

ICBC, seniors, TransLink, Community/Residents' Associations, police, people with disabilities, BIAs, NISTs, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Engineering, Social Planning, Councillors. While not mentioned at the meeting, the CNIB has subsequently asked to participate. The group would develop its own time-frame and terms of reference.

Direction is hereby sought from the Traffic & Transportation Committee regarding a working group and proposed actions regarding pedestrian sidewalk and safety issues.

Sidewalk Issues Identified

Barriers include:

INANIMATE: Sandwich boards; clothing racks; real estate signs; newspaper boxes; produce displays; flower stands; one-day sidewalk sales; overflowing garbage bins; litter (especially gum); phone booths; bus shelters; street furniture; fire hydrants; lamp poles; parking meters; manhole covers at different heights from the pavement; construction barricades; bike racks; bikes chained to trees; planter boxes; ad kiosks; drinking fountains; public art; posts and chains/bollards; leaves fallen from street trees; untrimmed bushes encroaching on residential sidewalks.

ANIMATE: Sidewalk cafes sticking out different distances, plus dogs tied to them; dogs tied to anything on the street; cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers on the sidewalk; panhandlers; buskers; street vendors and artists; dogs on leashes; bus patrons waiting.

Comments:

· Many of these things are welcome and desirable, but together create significant and dangerous "clutter," hampering safe pedestrian access.

· Different sidewalk widths is also a factor as are different set-backs for old and new buildings on the same block.

· Engineering can upgrade curb cuts that are problems - call Rowan Birch @ 873-7292.

· Some specific streets and neighbourhoods were mentioned, but the consensus was that this is a city-wide issue.

· Street life/animation is important.

· Should be a "barrier-free zone" in the middle of sidewalks, consciously-designed corridors for pedestrians which are consistent city-wide.

· BIAs, NISTs and peer pressure could help with enforcement, though BIAs may be reluctant.

· Panhandling Bylaw should be enforced.

· Create "pedestrian-only zones" in the middle of sidewalks where no "barriers" may be placed rather than regulate individual elements of sidewalk activity.

· Pavement quality and consistency is an issue.

· Large litter containers in all bus shelters would be useful.

· Pay phones should be located in bus shelters to reduce the number of phone booths.

· An education program, including newspaper ads regarding the importance and benefits of keeping sidewalks in front of all premises barrier-free, would be beneficial - "access awareness."

· Engineering is working on a street furniture strategy to develop streetscape design standards. This could provide designs/layouts for barrier-free travel paths.

Safety Issues Identified:

· TREE ROOTS: Cause bumps and dips (trip hazard); puddles (also a sidewalk edging/drainage issue); tar patches are hard to see at night, become worn and crumbly or are too steeply angled; uneven paving stones.

· Walk signals are not long enough on wide streets and should vary in length of time according to street width.

Engineering regularly gets requests to review signal timing. A travel speed of 4 ft. per second is the normal time allowed.

· Seniors feel "blown over" by big buses moving at even normal speeds in curb lanes. B-line buses should use middle lanes, except for stopping.

· Cars parked too close to corners impede visibility between pedestrians and drivers.

· Having only one disabled ramp per corner means walking into traffic if crossing the other way. Should be two ramps at corners- one for each direction.

· Street lighting could be brighter.

COMMENTS:

· Engineering has a sidewalk replacement program - 50/50 share between businesses and City. For localized damage, e.g. tree roots, Engineering will fix. Call 323-7651. They will put any break of ½" or more on a repair schedule. They are trying to grade the patching so that it does not create a steep slope, which then itself becomes another barrier. The phone number to report problems should be more widely publicized.

· ICBC is doing review of pedestrian safety, has funded traffic calming, and has an education campaign to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

· Enforcing parking restrictions adjacent to corners/crosswalks might improve visibility. Bulges can also prevent parking too close to crosswalks. Bulges are standard for local improvements in residential areas, but can't be used on arterials.

· Moving auto violations are a different issue.

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