Complete Streets for Prince Rupert was so happy to participate in Seafest again!
Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the parade and festivities, and thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth on 3rd Avenue. There was a raffle for a fantastic used children’s bicycle from Chucky’s Cycle Shop. There were examples of how cities around North America have made it safer and easier for people to walk and roll (i.e., get around town in strollers, in wheelchairs, and on bicycles, etc.).
Our happy raffle winner
Also, over 100 people responded to our survey question, ‘How would improvements to walking and rolling infrastructure benefit you?’ People who stopped to talk were very keen to share what it’s like to walk, roll and drive in Prince Rupert. Everyone had a scary, sometimes tragic, story to share. However, rather than asking what is wrong with our streets, our question was worded so that people would visualize our streets becoming more comfortable places for everyone. We hoped people would leave feeling good about potential infrastructure tweaks that would make getting around easier for everyone in Prince Rupert. Such imaginings are more than just fantasy or wishful thinking. Citizens around the world have realized the health, social and economic benefits of transportation networks designed to protect walkers, rollers and bikers (aka, a community’s most vulnerable road users).
Overall, the results of the survey showed that most people imagined themselves getting more exercise (e.g., “I would definitely get more exercise if I felt safer riding my bike.”). Also, many people expressed wishing their (and other) children could get to school and town more comfortably on foot and/or by bicycle - overlapping on the theme of independence (e.g., “I wouldn’t have to drive my kid everywhere!” “I could get more places on my own. I wouldn’t have to get a ride from my parents all the time!”). The rising price of gas made many people consider other forms of transport. Other people realized that both walking and driving would be easier because curb extensions/bulb-outs would make pedestrians more visible. Parents pushing strollers and people with mobility aids craved the independence that would come from safer and more accessible sidewalks/crossings.
Rupertites have expressed their desire for protected paths for walking and rolling here and here. The City of Prince Rupert will soon be asking for your input to help develop an Active Transportation Plan. We hope this will begin the process of making getting around better for everyone. The time has come to let your City representatives know, “We need extra protection for walkers and rollers in Prince Rupert now!”
Thank you