Neighbourhood bikeways around École Puntledge Park and lower speed limits will make commuting safer as students return to school.
That’s from the City of Courtenay, who say speed limits in the area have been dropped from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. It applies to sections of Pidcock Avenue, 4th Street, Woods Avenue and Willemar Avenue.
The city says it is a part of their five-year cycling network capital plan and it is marked by new pavement markings and signage.
Mayor Bob Wells adds up until now, there has not been any cycling routes that connect all the way to École Puntledge Park.
“We know a lot of people already walk and bike in this neighbourhood and we hope these changes will make travel more comfortable for them and anyone else who might choose to use these routes in the future,” said Wells.
In addition to making travel more comfortable, Wells says it will hopefully make things safer for kids travelling to school. The speed changes also come after a child was hit on Woods Avenue while heading to school at the start of 2023.
“We’ve been working with the school district to really identify the corridors that need the most immediate changes,” said Wells.
“Puntledge was already on the list to be done next. It’s unfortunate that accident happened. The driver in that incident was obeying the speed limit, it was just unfortunate the way things played out.”
He adds the area has not been dropped to 30 km/h because those are for school zones and playgrounds and are designated by the province. This means the city does not have the same control over speed in other areas and asks drivers for extra vigilance this time of year.
“It is one of the reasons why right now we are making these changes to make it safe for the kids but also we really want to remind people that it’s back to school,” said Wells.
“Even if you’re obeying the speed limits and you’re being cautious, just be extra cautious because you never know with kids if they’re going to dart out.”
He says this is especially important as kids may be going to kindergarten and are walking to school for the first time.
As a possible enforcement measure, he says Citizens on Patrol may be an option for the area. The volunteer-based organization works with ICBC and RCMP, and can be requested to come to neighbourhoods and set up speed signs.
“What we have found throughout our community is when people know that they’re going over the speed limit and they get that feedback, it actually alters the speed they’re going and helps them reduce their speed,” said Wells.
More information can be found on the city’s website.
