A new hitchhiking program used by East Porpoise Bay residents suffered a bylaw blow when they had to remove ride share signs from designated spots along the route.
Bob D'Arcy, spokesperson for the CoastRide committee made up of East Porpoise and Sandy Hook community associations and Tuwanek Ratepayers Association asked the District of Sechelt (DOS) committee of the whole (COW) Wednesday to support their efforts by allowing the signs to be reinstated.
"No matter who we have talked to on council or staff we are told that CoastRide is a really good idea and kudos to the community for coming up with it. Yet, we have not asked for or received one bit of support," D'Arcy read from a prepared statement. "The District enforced an interpretation (maybe an erroneous one) of the sign bylaw and made the community association take down two small and near invisible signs erected.
"We need a change of heart and your support now on this issue."
The committee designed the hitchhiking program after others, such as one in Washington, D.C., whereby people register as riders and drivers to aid each other in getting to and from Sechelt as public transit does not exist in the area.
"Obviously we have no bus service on the east side of the Inlet and no prospect of getting one in the near future, so CoastRide helps fill that obvious need," said D'Arcy.
As of his report to council on Wednesday, D'Arcy said 71 people had registered to use the service in its first four months and that is without holding a membership drive.
"We have some good reports such as the lady who, although a car owner, had cataract surgery. She is very busy with many district activities and was able to attend all her meetings using the system," he said.
D'Arcy said getting to town appears to be easier than getting home again.
"Coming back from town has been less successful," he said.
The committee would like to be able to put back the two signs bylaw services made them take down and add signs in Sechelt at the Shell gas station and on Wharf Road with others to follow as the program grows. Gray Waddell held up one of the skinny wooden signs engraved with the word COSPOT on it to show council.
"Emphasized by many was a feeling that the whole program was legitimized with proper signs in place," D'Arcy said. "This is critical to the feeling of comfort in picking up riders or soliciting rides from drivers."
Once people register with CoastRide, they get an identification card so they can recognize who is safe to ride with and pick up. Minors are only allowed to access CoastRide with written permission from their parent or guardian and drivers must have a valid class five or better licence. At www.coastride.net, a map of pick up stops can be found and contact information to sign up.
Following the presentation, Coun. Ann Kershaw questioned if the signs had to come down because the District risked "exposure to liability."
"It has nothing to do with the look of it [the sign]. It's a liability base," said chief administrative officer Rob Bremner. "I don't think anybody in this organization thinks it's a bad idea. We think it's a good idea," adding there are safety concerns; sight lines, road width issues and other considerations to account for before the District could allow the signs to be erected.
Frustrated with staff and council, D'Arcy said they were making a mountain out of a mole hill and that "we can hitchhike without council [support] and signs on public and private property are allowed."
"CoastRide will probably fail if this is not addressed," said D'Arcy. "It must be addressed on an urgent basis or all the momentum gained will be lost and the program will collapse. We are asking for simple permission to pursue and succeed with a program with high value for individual residents, the community, the District and the environment."
Council made a unanimous motion directing staff to prepare a report on the feasibility and process that would allow them to support the CoastRide program.
