VANCOUVER City Council on Wednesday passed a motion aimed at improving road safety throughout the city. Spearheaded by councillors Lisa Dominato and Lenny Zhou, the motion addresses the urgent need to add pedestrian safety measures across the city.
“Whether you’re walking your kids to school, heading home from work, or simply exploring our beautiful city, our goal is for everyone to feel safe while crossing our streets,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.
The City says Vancouver is known for its walkability, leading to high pedestrian traffic throughout the city. This motion takes a proactive approach, allocating additional funds and resources to expedite the installation of pedestrian safety measures, including pedestrian-controlled signals, leading pedestrian interval crossings (LPIs), rapid flashing beacons, and zebra markings.
“We want to accelerate the implementation of these crucial safety measures, particularly around schools and parks,” said Dominato. “We owe it to our community to create safer environments for pedestrians of all ages.”
By reallocating funds from the 2023-2026 Capital Plan, the City aims to significantly enhance road safety in 2024.
“Every life lost on our streets is one too many,” said Zhou. “This motion will take us one step further towards our goal of having no traffic related fatalities and serious injuries.”
The City says this initiative highlights the Council’s commitment to pedestrian safety and aligns with its Transportation 2040 Plan, ensuring that every resident can cross the streets of Vancouver with confidence and peace of mind.
“Distracted driving and failing to yield the right-of-way are the top contributing factors for drivers in pedestrian related crashes. Implementing measures such as increased Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs), zebra markings, and flashing beacons can enhance driver awareness and improve pedestrian safety. In collaboration with the City of Vancouver and road authorities around the Province, we’re working to make roads safer for pedestrians. Since 2014, ICBC has invested over $10 million in projects focused on pedestrian safety throughout B.C.,” said Paul Goodman, ICBC Road Safety and Community Coordinator.
“Ensuring the safety of our students as they travel to and from school is a top priority for the Vancouver School Board. The implementation of increased pedestrian safety measures, especially around school zones, will give local parents and guardians much-needed peace of mind knowing that their children can cross our streets more safely,” said Victoria Jung, Trustee, Board Chair, Vancouver School District.
