1454 replies to this topic

[North Shore]

Hilarious.  In my younger, more testosterone-filled bike racing days, if I ever saw a speed trap on a slow speed road (<50km/h) I'd stamp on the pedals as hard as I could to try to *get* a speeding ticket.  Major kudos from the boys if one did so...

[sebberry]

Speed limit reduction results are IN! 

 

 

On September 11, 2014, Council approved amendments to the Streets and Traffic Bylaw, reducing the speed limits on several streets from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, and reducing the speed limit on Cook Street between Southgate Street and Dallas Road from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. Council also endorsed a postinstallation monitoring process, which included collecting speed data on affected streets and parallel routes, where appropriate. The objective of the reduced speed zones was to improve safety for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a top priority for the City as stated in the Official Community Plan and the Strategic Plan.

 

 

These reduced speed zones were installed before the end of December 2014, and a public communication strategy was implemented to inform residents of the changes. Post-installation monitoring studies were conducted in 2015 and the results were compared to 2014 data. Overall, the reduced speed zones are having only a minor impact on vehicle speeds (~2%), with average speeds still above the posted limits. Collision statistics remain close to pre-installation levels, showing minor increases in both pedestrian and cycling collisions, which may or may not be related to the changes.

 

 

You can read the whole report here: https://victoria.civ... Monitoring.PDF

[Nparker]

And despite expert information from professional drivers and concerns from BC Transit, the mayor sees no reason to re-evaluate the current speed reduction policies. http://www.cheknews....hes-not-226051/

[sebberry]

No, she just wants to see the study continued until it produces the results she wants.  I don't think that's how studies work

[Nparker]

No, she just wants to see the study continued until it produces the results she wants...

That was my thought exactly.

[rjag]

No, she just wants to see the study continued until it produces the results she wants.  I don't think that's how studies work

 

Kind of like the Quebec referendum....

[North Shore]

 

 

Overall, the reduced speed zones are having only a minor impact on vehicle speeds (~2%), with average speeds still above the posted limits

 

 

Well, obviously, the speed limits are too high, then, and should be further reduced to 20kmh...

[Bingo]

Overall, the reduced speed zones are having only a minor impact on vehicle speeds (~2%), with average speeds still above the posted limits

 

 

Well, obviously, the speed limits are too high, then, and should be further reduced to 20kmh...

 

Reduce the speed to 10kmh and the moderators will remove the post. 

[Jables]

Coun. Ben Isitt, who championed the lower speed limits with former councillor Shellie Gudgeon, said it was always envisioned that lowering the limits was only a first step.

 

“How we envisioned this initiative at the time was that it would put a target on these corridors through our neighbourhoods where council wanted to introduce safer speeds. We saw signage as sort of a first step with the real long-term solution being infrastructure improvements and what could be called road diets along those corridors,” Isitt said.

 

- See more at: http://www.timescolo...h.ZBDKSNt5.dpuf

 

Road diets....my sides!

Edited by Jables, 04 October 2016 - 10:57 AM.

[Mr Cook Street]

Road diets....my sides!

 

Go Ben! I don't often find myself saying that.... Road diets are great. 

[sebberry]

Go Ben! I don't often find myself saying that.... Road diets are great. 

 

Yep, they work wonders to reduce congestion, reduce carbon emissions, frustration and commute times. 

 

"Road diets" sounds like a trendy thing these days.  Like the "Gluten free, it's for me" bumper sticker I saw earlier today.

[Nparker]

 

..How we envisioned this initiative at the time was that it would put a target on these corridors through our neighbourhoods where council wanted to introduce safer speeds. We saw signage as sort of a first step with the real long-term solution being infrastructure improvements and what could be called road diets along those corridors,” Isitt said...

http://www.timescolo...h.ZBDKSNt5.dpuf

These folks MUST be stopped by whatever means necessary come October 2018.

[sebberry]

Shellie Gudgeon is "delighted with the report".  Claims the reduction in limits was never to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians but it was rather a perception issue. 

 

Well... perception is... more crashes? 

 

Wow.  She thinks a 53% compliance is a good rate. 

[Matt R.]

The guy who soaks people who piss in his parking lot was just on cfax talking about this.

Matt.

[Mr Cook Street]

Yep, they work wonders to reduce congestion, reduce carbon emissions, frustration and commute times. 

 

"Road diets" sounds like a trendy thing these days.  Like the "Gluten free, it's for me" bumper sticker I saw earlier today.

Whatever makes transit corridors more appealing to alternate modes of transportation. Wider sidewalks, better bike lanes and better Public Transit. Those all help solve congestion, carbon emissions and commute times.

[nagel]

It's about alternatives to congestion than relieving congestion itself.  People aren't stupid.  Give them a better alternative and they will choose it, especially if it's cheaper and just as fast/faster.  But of course you need to make it safe.  Nobody wants to die out there.

 

If they really want to lower the speed limits downtown just mess with the phasing.  You can still complete the perfect run on Blanshard from Fisgard to Broughton if you're on it.  That shouldn't be doable in an environment that is trying to prioritize pedestrians.

[victoriassecret]

Yeah no kidding. Personally I feel like Douglas and Blanchard need to be reduced to single alternating. Choke the thing until it completely dies. 

[Nparker]

...Personally I feel like Douglas and Blanchard need to be reduced to single alternating. Choke the thing until it completely dies. 

Huh?

[Daveyboy]

SKATEBOARDING ON SIDEWALKS IN VICTORIA

 

I find the following reaction from Mr. Loveday a little strange.  Is he calling the bylaw officers liars?

 

Bylaw officers have issued no tickets for non-compliance since bylaw changes were made. They conduct regular patrols downtown and ask boarders to walk while on the sidewalk but find it “challenging” to educate the boarders as “skateboarders do not always stop when directed by bylaw services staff,” the report says.

Loveday finds that hard to believe.

“I don’t really buy into the idea that a person on a skateboard won’t stop now. I think they’d probably actually be more likely to stop because now they are not going to have their skateboard taken away,” Loveday said.

- See more at: http://www.timescolo...h.i4Nicg4Y.dpuf

Edited by Daveyboy, 04 October 2016 - 03:33 PM.

[Jason-L]

Again, the goal is to limit people in Victoria to only those able to walk, bike, or are already in the city.

Phase 2... build the toll gates and wall everything off.