On a recent trip to the Oak Bay library I was unable to find an open parking spot – a bicycle parking spot that is. The two small bicycle racks were fully occupied.
Given that the citizens of Oak Bay-Gordon Head have just voted in the first Green Party MLA in B.C., it is time for Oak Bay council and its staff managers to forge ahead with some of the ‘green’ project proposals currently before them, such as: add more bicycle parking in public spaces – use creative designs as seen in other cities; improve cycle and pedestrian safety at key intersections (e.g. Haultain/Foul Bay); introduce non-vehicular pathways such as the Henderson corridor from Haultain to UVic; build a safe cycling route along Beach Drive; connect street cycling lanes with those in Saanich and Victoria; support safe walking and cycling to our schools; eliminate free car parking for municipal staff – an unnecessary and dubious perk.
An astonishing number of students are now walking and biking to our elementary schools.
These youngsters didn’t vote but their parents who are making the decision for them to walk and bike to school certainly did.
Phil Wynne
Oak Bay