Make streets safer for pedestrians

Re: “Two wheels should be treated like four,” column, Feb. 1.

Steve Wallace is correct that “there seems to be a secret war on pedestrians … accompanied by slack enforcement.” However, he misses the target completely when he cites cyclists and other non-motorized vehicles as the chief “enemy.”

Yes, there is a certain amount of rude and careless behaviour by some cyclists, boarders and others who misuse the bike lanes and sidewalks, and they need to be called on it. But the more important truth is, while they certainly are a nuisance, they are far from being the major threat to pedestrian safety on our streets.

That dubious honour goes to autos and trucks, a fact clearly demonstrated by current accident statistics in urban centres on both sides of the border, including Victoria. Worse yet, pedestrian deaths from vehicles are rising everywhere, even though many cities have adopted Zero Vision safety programs aimed at reducing them.

Why? Three major factors: Increasing traffic congestion leading to impatience by drivers; the continuing trend to larger vehicles (SUVs and trucks) leading to higher average speeds on urban streets and less care and attention being paid; and third, outdated and/or poorly designed intersections, traffic signals and crosswalks.

Bottom line, if we really want to make our streets safer for pedestrians and other law-abiding active transportation users, put the focus on the most important and deadly “war” we face: Pedestrians versus cars. Derry McDonell Victoria