Sometimes, a new and valuable perspective can be found hiding at ground level.
In an effort to take advantage of the recently completed work on Fulford-Ganges Road — and to reap the fitness, mental health and environmental benefits — some of us here at the Driftwood have been literally walking the walk lately, commuting when practicable on foot. We’re going to agree with our local pathways experts that at least for pedestrians, the “final” product on Ganges Hill leaves something to be desired — bicycle-grabbing drainage grates aside, the shoulder width on the uphill side feels on a knife’s edge for safety, never mind the sliver of walkable asphalt going downhill.
But we’re happy to report that, on balance, we’re enjoying the days we aren’t contributing to Salt Spring’s growing vehicle traffic statistics. And while we’ve learned a great deal about rain gear and time management, most importantly we’re reminded what a difference can be made to someone on foot when a passing vehicle changes speed by just a few km/h — one way or the other.
When we were compelled to ease off the gas through the village, 30 km/h felt at first comically slow to some, harder to get used to even than the four-way stop at Central. Others rightfully noted our sensible islander drivers slow down already, particularly on busy summer days when the Ganges Exclusion Principle (“vehicles and tourists cannot occupy the same space at the same time”) applies.
Today, most agree 50 km/h through town would feel reckless; on side streets, where crossings have poor visibility and pedestrians are commonly children, we believe it even more so.
Provincial studies estimate pedestrian crash survivability rates sit at about 20 per cent when a vehicle is travelling at 50 km/h, versus 90 per cent at 30 km/h. That’s a big difference to be made just by doing the thing we most commonly ask of our off-island guests: slow down.
As much as we might improve our own habits, our visitors have little familiarity with the island and can hardly be expected to know which roadside hedge is most likely to produce a hidden pedestrian. Tourists will recognize a speed limit sign, and so will the rest of us.
We applaud Local Community Commissioners for making the request, and hope the transportation ministry will act quickly to make our side streets that much safer.