Editor:
The Town of Gibsons website page that promotes the Seawalk states:
“The Gibsons Seawalk … is suitable for ‘people with mobility issues.’”
This is a good example of the caring inclusivity that Gibsons is famous for!
To further promote the Seawalk, the town could consider adding the following:
“Don’t let the name ‘Seawalk’ mislead you! Our Seawalk is also open to bicycles and e-bikes — without the annoyance of posted local bylaws, speed limits, or signage (other than the often-ignored ‘Clean Up After Your Pet’ sign — do watch your step!), ensuring a lively shared space for all. Be sure to measure your cycling reaction times and spatial orientation skills on the two-way left-right ‘Blind Turn,’ next to the four-foot-wide ‘Not-Just-a-Footbridge.’ Check out ‘Gramma’s Pub’s The Galley,’ the one-of-a-kind and always challenging patio-bar-service humans-carrying-dinnerware-in-motion drive-thru obstacle course! For the serious athlete, test your mettle as you try to ride up the gravelly Coles Public Access Lane! (Note: Sections of the BC Motor Vehicle Act may apply.) “
This additional information will serve to reasonably alert people with “mobility issues” that cyclists might be present (which would be yet another act of caring!).
It will also encourage use of the Seawalk as the preferred cycle route for bypassing traffic-heavy and cycle-unfriendly lower Gibsons (which has back-out angled parking, no bike lanes, and the world-famous accident-always-waiting-to-happen Five Corners Intersection).
More generally, it will boost the Seawalk’s appeal both as a community hub and as an adventure tourism destination (mixing pedestrians, children, dogs, dog dirt, people with mobility issues, bikes, and e-bikes, on a somewhat maintained and thrillingly unregulated 1.2 km course).
Gibsons Seawalk — The All-Inclusive, Adventure-Friendly Pathway on the Sunshine Coast!
(If only they could somehow incorporate seniors’ pickleball …)
Alan Donenfeld, Gibsons
