The NPA campaign machine cranked into full gear a month or so ago with daily, and sometimes its seems hourly, press releasesmostly criticizing Vision Vancouver.
Considering theres a municipal election just around the corner, Ive been taking many of those press releases with a grain of salt. But one sent out via email Sept. 3 caught my eye.
The release explains how NPA school board trustee Ken Denike and NPA school board candidate Sophia Woo are pushing for permanent traffic control features on school crosswalks, similar to one recently introduced at Porter elementary school in Coquitlam. Denike describes the traffic calming measure at Porter as an inexpensive curb system, which costs $1,500 per intersection, and suggests it could be used as a model for crosswalks near elementary schools in Vancouver. Denike told me he and Woo were impressed by the simple improvement, which includes using bright white pylons outfitted with reflective lights along both sides of a school crossing.
We get used to the crosswalks we have, but the traffic really does slow down for these marked crosswalks, Denike told me Tuesday morning via cellphone from Captain Cook elementary school where he was attending a VPD safety launch on the first day of school.
Denike notes the pylons are so visible and dramatic they also work as a reminder to distracted children to take care as they cross the street.
I found traffic calming recommendations for all elementary schools in Coquitlam, including Porter, are included in a comprehensive, 26-page report completed by that citys engineering staff in November 2009, called Elementary School Walkability StudyPhase 1 Update. The goal of the overall study is to identify improvements around elementary schools that will make walking to school safer. The report details how future capital funds and planning should be dedicated to sidewalk and curb construction near elementary schools to improve the safety of young students walking to school.
Meanwhile a group called Community Against Preventable Injuries is placing a digital billboard outside several elementary schools this week, which photographs speeding cars and posts those pictures with a message that reads, Before you rush through here, have a word with yourself.
Protecting young school childrenwhat a concept.
In the City of Vancouver, its a whole other ballgame. On Tuesday, the first day of school in this city, politicians were out in full force seeking photo opportunities about school traffic safety. But its a safe bet once the cameras were turned off so was any authentic interest. Instead, if history holds true, the ruling Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»party will once again turn its attention to spending millions of dollars ensuring cyclists and adult pedestrians in the Downtown Eastside negotiate this citys streets safely.
According to SafeKids Canada, children aged 10 to 14 years have the highest incidence of pedestrian-related injuries in this province. Children aged five to 14 years are at the greatest risk of being killed in a pedestrian-related accident.
Meanwhile, the city recently mandated a change of speed limit along a six-block stretch of Hastings Street from 50 to 30 kilometres to better protect jaywalkers, many impaired by drugs or alcohol or both, despite the fact the VPD says it doesnt have enough officers to properly enforce the move. In July, VPD Chief Jim Chu said the majority of pedestrian fatalities in this city are the result of people stepping into traffic when its not safe and, to a lesser extent, inattentive drivers. And with extra pressure on the VPD to ensure Hastings Street is a safe haven for jaywalkers, where does that leave our kids?
Ive read several lengthy studies on pedestrian safety produced or paid for by the city in recent years, but none had a focus on young children. With the civic election looming, perhaps its time.
Twitter: @sthomas10
