BC city's new bike lane with speed bump at crosswalk draws cyclist ire

BC city's new bike lane with speed bump at pedestrian crosswalk, but not for vehicle lanes, draws ire of cyclists

New protected bike lane on Gorge Road at the intersection with Colquitz Avenue, with a raised pedestrian crosswalk over the bike lane but not the vehicle lanes. The island bus stop, accessible from the crosswalk, is just out of the picture. (@PhilipMarciniak/Twitter)

A newly built bike lane on Gorge Road in Saanich, a suburban jurisdiction of the Greater Victoria area, is attracting some critical attention over how it was designed.

Earlier this week, Philip Marciniak posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about how the pedestrian crosswalk for Gorge Road at the intersection with Colquitz Avenue is raised over the new protected bike lane.

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He asserts the issue is not that the bike lane is raised at the crosswalk, but that the raised crosswalk does not continue onto the adjacent two vehicle traffic lanes.

“In the case for new sections of Gorge Rd, it’s particularly jarring to see the cycle path crossing rightfully raised, meanwhile the road crossing (proven deadly) left at road level,” he wrote.

He clarified that he thinks the raised crosswalk through the bike lane is “a good idea,” but does not understand why it does not continue through the vehicle lanes.

Previous condition:

The previous condition of the Gorge Road crosswalk and unprotected shoulder bike lanes at the intersection with Colquitz Avenue. (Google Maps)

Current condition:

Gorge Road Colquitz Avenue Saanich new bike lane crosswalk f

A lovely fresh protected bike lane in #Saanich along Gorge Rd.

I can’t help but notice how the raised crosswalk ends before car lanes along the entire stretch. Strange as road level crosswalks are notoriously deadly in Saanich.

Perhaps @saanich can enlighten as to why? pic.twitter.com/3or6M26aDg

— Philip (@PhilipMarciniak) September 20, 2023

In my mind those are both reasons FOR raised crosswalks. Raised at least to some degree, doesn’t need to be extremely steep but the driver being reminded everytime that this is a crosswalk is valuable I think.

— Philip (@PhilipMarciniak) September 20, 2023

To be clear, I think raised crosswalk section through the bike path is a good idea and agree should be there. The missing car section is what I can’t wrap my head around.

— Philip (@PhilipMarciniak) September 23, 2023

In direct response to Marciniak’s post, the District of Saanich explained there are no raised crosswalks along Gorge Road’s vehicle traffic lanes as it is both a major truck route and a bus public transit route.

Furthermore, the municipal government states the “raised crossing were installed at the bike lanes to slow fast-moving cyclists and maintain access to the bus stops for persons with limited mobility.”

Not pictured in Marciniak’s photo is the island bus stop, which is accessible by the raised crosswalk.

But the photo does show the new pedestrian crosswalk is equipped with flashing pedestrian crossing signals for its entire span across the roadway, which enables pedestrians to press a button to activate flashing lights as a visual signal alerting vehicles.

According to the municipality, Gorge Road is classified as a collector road, and it specifically serves as the major perimeter road along the northern side of Gorge Waters, which is a channel that extends from Victoria Inner Harbour. The roadway sees over 9,000 vehicles per day.

The decision was made to not install raised crosswalks along Gorge as it is both a major truck route and transit route. Raised crossings were installed at the bike lanes to slow fast-moving cyclists and maintain access to the bus stops for persons with limited mobility.

— District of Saanich (@saanich) September 20, 2023

The bike lane project extends a 1.7-km-long segment of Gorge Road between Tillicum Road to the east and Admirals Road to the west.

Although the new bike lane on the south side of Gorge Road looks complete, it is not open until concrete barriers for the physical separate are installed early this fall. Construction first began a year ago.

Typical design at bus stop areas for the new design of Gorge Road with a protected bike lane. The raised crosswalk only for the pedestrian bike lane is shown. This model example also specifically depicts the intersection of Gorge Road and Colquitz Avenue. (District of Saanich)

Typical design at parking entrance areas for the new design of Gorge Road with a protected bike lane. (District of Saanich)

Project area for the redesign of Gorge Road with a protected bike lane. (District of Saanich)

Not everyone was convinced by the municipality’s explanation, suggesting measures should also be put in place to force vehicles to slow down.

How in the world are you more concerned about fast moving cyclists than trucks and cars? The last three pedestrian collisions, including two fatalities, in Saanich crosswalks have been caused by cars and trucks. @Dean_Murdock, there’s a huge disconnect here.

— Peter Spindloe (@pspindloe) September 20, 2023

seems backwards….shouldnt the vehicle traffic be slowed as they are the most dangerous ?? I doubt many cyclists are going above the 50 km/h speed limit and really need slowing.

— GTH (@emeargsnikpoh) September 20, 2023

What a load of nonsense. People with limited mobility will be crossing from both sides so by your own argument both crossings should be raised.

Of course we all know the decision was made because vehicles must be allowed to travel unhindered as much as possible.

— Scott Humphrey (@scottgroovez) September 23, 2023

Can we get details on the persons behind this decision that fast moving cyclists were ‘a concern’, but fast moving trucks were not?

Would it be possible to get detailed statements on why pedestrians need additional protections from bikes, but not trucks?

— A.Tabor (@RealLuckless) September 20, 2023

But others assert the differentiating treatment is necessary, with their suggestion that drivers in vehicles are more likely to yield to pedestrians than cyclists.

Possibly because many cyclists fail to stop at crossings, often when pedestrians are walking across. To some cyclists, it seems that their attitude is ‘If I’m not going to hit the pedestrian, then I’ve no need to stop’. That attitude is unhelpful. Hence, the crossing we see here.

— Pookie Ghecko (@PGhecko) September 23, 2023

When crossing a road of cars either they stop or the pedestrian does. But cyclists never stop. They think they can weave around any obstacle and so are more likely to keep cycling when they see someone begin to cross the road.

— James Clark McReynolds 🇬🇧🇷🇺 (@Crimestory21) September 23, 2023

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