Re: Willows in inaugural CRD safe routes program, Oak Bay News, Oct. 5
I heartily applaud Coun. Michelle Kirby’s initiative in trying to establish a safe route for school children to get to school without relying on a car. However in my mind this is a waste of time and trouble as it will never succeed.
Minivans, SUVs and all other forms of moms’ taxis are part of the landscape around all schools. Kids today are enrolled in all sorts of after-school activities, piano lessons, ballet, soccer, et al., and rely on automotive transportation to get them there, which often is on another side of town.
Will the students walk/ bike home after school and meet mom there and then proceed to these activities? Hardly, especially when the start time of these activties is right after school.
It seems the councillor’s concerns are traffic density and speed and these are the problems which should be addressed by the authorities, namely the police department.
In the rush to get going once the students are picked up, stop signs and speed limits go out the window.
Take a look at Thompson and Estevan avenues to see what I mean. Lots of harried drivers in a rush to get to that important activity yet no sign of police vehicles.
Jen Hunter
Oak Bay