After a cycle from the West End to Jericho, the contrast between those parts of Seaside that allow for sufficient separation and distancing with those that don’t became more obvious than ever. More than that, it’s evident that the status quo is unacceptable.
The City and Park Board cannot on one hand tell us to keep two to ten metres apart and then, on the other, not provide sufficient space and proper instructions. It has led to mutual irritation among users. And, bottom line, in a pandemic it’s just not safe.
Some examples. (Click title to get all images.)
Pandemic approved:
Seaside at Coal Harbour, April 11
Not pandemic approved:
Seaside near Second Beach, August 2018
Pandemic approved:
Seaside at English Bay, April 14
Seaside along Beach Avenue, April 14
Click for video: IMG_1852(1)_HEVC
Burrard Bridge, April 14
Not pandemic approved:
Seaside where Vanier and Hadden Park paths cross Cypress Street, May 2015
The intersection hasn’t changed a bit in over five years, as this video from April 14, 2020 illustrates – IMG_1868(1)_HEVC
Seaside through Hadden Park, April 14
Seaside through Kitsilano Park, April 14
Pandemic approved:
Seaside at Cornwall and Stephens, April 14
Seaside along Point Grey Road, April 14
See also Peter Ladner’s post here.
Not pandemic approved:
Seaside along Point Grey Road east of Alma, April 12
Seaside at Jericho Park, June 2019
Notice anything about the ‘approved’ and ‘not.’?
With the exception of Stanley Park, all the ‘not approved’ images are from the part of Seaside under the jurisdiction of the Park Board.
Your last picture– “Seaside at Jericho Park, Junw 2019 shows a bizarre mixing of cyclists and pedestrians heading past the busiest place in Jericho Park: the concession, washroom, convergence of several paths.
It would be so simple to divert bike traffic straight ahead through the (now closed) parking lot to rejoin the main trail at the next intersection, missing the crowded concession area.
And it would be so simple to post a few signs telling us how to divide up when cyclists and peds going in two directions are sharing the same path: everyone stick to their right except to pass? All walkers/runners/strollers keep right, all cyclists stay on the left? It’s a bit of a gong show out there.