I have been thinking about the snow removal job of the Town, and how they do an awesome job, cleaning the roads and making sure that everyone can get around town easily. Then i look at the sidewalks, they are plowed yes. Which i am thankful for. They are how ever, not done very well. The linkage is poor, the safest places at times is to walk in the middle of the street. Why, cause well that is the less mucky, less iced up place to walk. I do know some facts of life, more people drive than walk around town, therefore the roads are cleaner.
Why should walkers feel like second class citizens though? Shouldn’t the town be out on a nice sunny warm day, cleaning the paths and sidewalks for people to get around. Removing the ice from the sidewalks? Shouldn’t business owners be forced to clean their own sidewalks rather than the town do it for them? We already have the Bylaw in place to enforce it all. I know that out the front of my place, i started cleaning the sidewalk on a sunny 3c+ day and there was at least 5cm of ice before the sidewalk.
I don’t think that you would see an iced up street and see cars sliding all over the road for very long, but you do see the sidewalks in such conditions.
If we truly want to get more people out walking and riding, we have to start by cleaning the sidewalks before the roads. Giving them the priority they deserve. This might just encourage people to walk instead of drive around town.
The town does a wonderful job at cleaning the streets, I do wonder however, if that money that was used to clean all the streets and alleyways could be used in a better manner? Repaving, increasing the size of parks, beautifying the town in spring time etc.
Yes we have snow, and lots of it. Should that mean that people don’t walk because of it? No.
This is just something to think about, talk about with friends, and notice how poor the walking infrastructure can be in town. Is that the kind of town that you want, if not go talk with Councillors and Town staff and let them know you want better, not just for you but for everyone in town.
UPDATE:
Councillor Jaswal just informed me via Facebook of the following,
“Just so guys know, I did bring up your concerns at council. Had heard the same thing from a few other people as well. Anyhow, I guess the sidewalk cleaner thing was broken for a bit….It is now fixed. And Chris also said that the material that they have been using is not working so that have to figure something else out… I think that they are going to try and make the sidewalks better…all this melt freeze is not very helpful! “
