The following letter was sent to Gibsons council and copied to Coast Reporter.
I am writing to alert you to several safety concerns that exist for pedestrians in Upper Gibsons. I regularly walk both to Sunnycrest Mall and the amenities of Lower Gibsons. Every time I take my son in his stroller, I hesitate on the choice of route, because of safety.
You are probably aware of the pedestrian pathway that goes from North Road to Cascade Crescent. When exiting from the residential side to North Road, one stands across from the red barn thrift shop. To continue travelling on the east side of North Road, in order to reach the traffic light at Gibsons Way, one has to traverse a foot path that is essentially impassable to strollers or wheelchairs. Because of the difficulty presented by the lack of paved sidewalk, pedestrians, including school-aged children, jaywalk to the sidewalk on the west side of North Road. Obviously this is a hazard.
Should the Town see fit to prevent future mishap, a pedestrian controlled crossing should be installed to connect the existing neighbourhood-access path to the west sidewalk. And a completed sidewalk along the east length of North between Gibsons Way and Reed would help pedestrian traffic.
My second concern is the existing pedestrian shoulder on Gibsons Way from North Road down to Bals Lane. Along the north side, water-diversion bumps effectively turn the path into a lane of miniature speed bumps. Strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs and anyone with compromised mobility or eyesight find the bumps problematic at best and prohibitive at worst. I suggest that a proper sidewalk, raised above road grade, would allow for water to be diverted beneath and promote pedestrian safety.
Bronwen Payerle
Gibsons
