5619 replies to this topic

[marks_28]

What is wrong with taking the bus?

[sebberry]

Esplanade is basically beach only parking.  What's wrong with Oak Bay Council?  

 

"Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch said the restrictions were put in place because the Esplanade sidewalk is narrow and vehicles make it difficult for people to walk down the road and keep their physical distance."

 

Yet you can stand in a lineup in a crowded store but you can't step aside to give someone some extra space out here?  

 

Logic and reason just evades some people, doesn't it?

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[Midnightly]

What is wrong with taking the bus?

sure, i'll just hop on the bus with my wagon carrying kids beach toys, an umbrella, sun tent, towels,sunscreen, a blanket, change of clothing (just incase!) plus food and drinks.. oh and can't forget a couple of beach over my shoulder because you know the kids won't carry anything.. now try to hold a toddlers or young child's hand (or two kids) and board the bus

[Mike K.]

You’ll probably have to transfer as well. Sounds like fun.

[Victoria Watcher]

You’ll probably have to transfer as well. Sounds like fun.

 

almost certainly at least once.  only one bus goes there the #2.

 

[marks_28]

sure, i'll just hop on the bus with my wagon carrying kids beach toys, an umbrella, sun tent, towels,sunscreen, a blanket, change of clothing (just incase!) plus food and drinks.. oh and can't forget a couple of beach over my shoulder because you know the kids won't carry anything.. now try to hold a toddlers or young child's hand (or two kids) and board the bus

Well can’t say we’ve ever brought an umbrella or sun tent to the beach, regardless of how we’ve gotten there. The other items, sure, and they’ve always fit in a couple of those reusable cloth bags. Look, obviously taking the bus won’t work for everyone, but for a lot of families it could. We live within a few minutes of the 11. Goes pretty close to within a 10 min walk. On a nice summer day you’d spend longer than that trying to park. And yeah, if you’re coming from Broadmead or Gordon Head, driving might make more sense, but there are lots of families that could make the bus work.

[Victoria Watcher]

won’t work for everyone?

what percentage of Willows Beach visitors regularly take the bus there? the bus that has been running for decades?

very few. those that live close what to walk there and those that don’t mostly want to drive there. what is so wrong with that?

[marks_28]

A pretty high % probably drive, you’re right. My point was a percentage of those who drive could take the bus there fairly easily. And why should they? Well there’s less parking there now, fewer cars on the road is a good thing, etc etc. Should there be less parking there? Well that’s a whole other debate.

[Brantastic]

I've bussed to Willows, Cadboro, and Gonzales many times before often with friends who also arrive by bus, often from different parts of the city. I'm not sure why both an umbrella and sun tent would be required. I've never gone to the beach with anything more than a backpack. You're not camping there. 

[lanforod]

All you guys clearly do not have young kids.

[Mike K.]

A pretty high % probably drive, you’re right. My point was a percentage of those who drive could take the bus there fairly easily. And why should they? Well there’s less parking there now, fewer cars on the road is a good thing, etc etc. Should there be less parking there? Well that’s a whole other debate.

From Tyndall at San Juan in Gordon Head, it would take a mother with two small children 54 minutes to bus to Willows Beach, at the walking pace of an adult between stops. She can make that drive in 12 minutes.

I wouldn’t call busing there easy. I would call that a hindrance. Oak Bay has effectively said to the broader community we don’t want you here, please find an alternate green space to spend your time at, because sidewalks are not wide enough to protect you.

So while we want to protect you, Oak Bay says, we also want you to get onto a bus, and to travel in a confined small space with the general public, the same general public that will put you at risk if you walk past them on our sidewalk. Your safety is our primary concern.

Edited by Mike K., 24 May 2021 - 09:03 AM.

[marks_28]

From Tyndall at San Juan in Gordon Head, it would take a mother with two small children 54 minutes to bus to Willows Beach, at the walking pace of an adult between stops. She can make that drive in 12 minutes.

I wouldn’t call that easy. I would call that a hindrance.

Which is why, in my prior post, I said for someone in Gordon Head, driving might make more sense

[Mike K.]

None of it makes sense.

Forcing people onto public transit because they are in danger on a sidewalk is nonsensical.

Anyways, there are plenty of other places to spend time at. If Oak Bay doesn’t want visitors from further afield that’s their prerogative.

[Nparker]

...Forcing people onto public transit because they are in danger on a sidewalk is nonsensical....

[todd]

There’s still tons of parking in the area within a couple minute walk.

[todd]

almost certainly at least once. only one bus goes there the #2.

screenshot-nimbus-capture-2021.05.24-10_16_08.png

Yep you just take a number two to go to Oak Bay.

Edited by todd, 24 May 2021 - 09:50 AM.

[Redd42]

Oak Bay has effectively said to the broader community we don’t want you here, 

 

That is what they seem to be saying when they hold so call public events like the Night Market and Tea Party then put up No Parking signs for blocks around the event.

[Barrrister]

I parked at Willows both on this Sat and Sunday. Not a problem. Lots of parking within a ten minute walk. Try cattle point.

 

Besides if you are in the downtown core, you also have all of BHP to take your kids to according to Victoria city council. 

[marks_28]

Can confirm, the baseball diamond field at BHP along Haywood was a terrific spot for a picnic yesterday.

[Redd42]

I parked at Willows both on this Sat and Sunday. Not a problem. Lots of parking within a ten minute walk. Try cattle point. 

 There is a LONG set of stairs from Cattle Point. So your basically saying too bad to folks with kids in strollers or with mobility issues. Same thing with your 10 minute walk.