Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pedestrian traffic issues spur our councillor

[caption id="attachment_5910" align="aligncenter" width="492" caption="Our Coun. Bill Saundercook speaking thoughfully and concerned about the current pedestrian traffic deaths"]Our Coun. Bill Saundercook speaking thoughfully and concernedabout the current pedestrian traffic deaths[/caption]

from the CTV site article

Regular readers of this blog will have noted thus authors great interest in public and pedestrian space in the Junction. So it is with almost glee that the issue of pedestrian safety and by associatation pedestrian rights to the public travel routes realm has come to the forefront across the city by our local  councillor.

Disclosure: Coun. Bill Saundercook is the chair of the Junction Forum for Arts and Culture which I - the author of this post am a board member of.

from the CTV site article

26-01-2010 9-01-41 PM

11 comments:

  1. Finally, the connection between this blog and the Councillor has been mentioned. I have continually noticed this blog seems to be a strong supporter of Mr. Saundercook, ignoring such Junction issues as the protest at his office regarding local daycare, or the quick deletion of the post mentioning the poor state of the "train station" at Pacific. While I despise the Councillor for the way he treats many business owners in the Junction, I am glad to see the blog admit that it has a connection to him.

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  2. The real problem is that road designers are designing new or replacement roads for 10 km/h over the posted speed limit. The coming "improved" Scarlett Road underpass at Dundas Street is designed for 60 km/h, even though the signs will say 50! That means wider lanes and streets than needed, meaning a longer walk for pedestrians, especially the elderly.

    To lower the posted speed limit another 10 will buy nothing, since the walking distance will still be longer than needed. The road will still have its design speed limit of 60.

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  3. This is not the 1st time it has been stated that the main author of this blog sits on the Junction Forum for Arts and Culture board. The blog covered the daycare issue is this post link

    but glad you are happy,

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  4. Glad you took notice. I was the author of said Junction train station post and for the record I'm against Saundercook AND Cheri but I'll leave my reasons out of this as I notice that when I do speak out against them those points usually get censored which is well within the rights of junctioneer. Glad to see the blog admit to the link though.

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  5. Glad you took notice. I was the author of said Junction train station post and for the record I'm against Saundercook AND Cheri but I'll leave my reasons out of this as I notice that when I do speak out against them those points usually get censored which is well within the rights of junctioneer. Glad to see the blog admit to the link though.

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  6. censored can you remind of when,

    robert

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  7. It's simple Darwinism. If you can't properly cross a road (these aren't kids that're being killed they're adults), then I don't know what to tell you.

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  8. I'm with you Theirry. Why doesn't the good Councillor just call for smarter pedestrians?

    You can still be killed by a car traveling at 20 km/h. If you're not paying, then you're not paying attention.

    Open you're eyes people, you will lose a fight with a car every time!

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  9. Q: Why did the pedestrian cross the road?
    A: To get to the other side. (apologies to the one who thought of it first)
    In my opinion, we fail to recognize that people walk as a means of transportation. Consequently, we pay too much attention to the smooth flow of vehicular traffic and too little to the smooth flow of pedestrian traffic.
    Eg: ever notice that notices to drivers (eg stop signs, bollards to prevent parking on sidewalks) are planted in sidewalks but notices to pedestrians are never planted in roads? Ever seen a sign in the middle of the block at construction sites: Motorists use other road? Ever notice that, with those new demand-responsive traffic lights that drivers get a green light every time, even if no cars are attempting to cross, but the light never changes for pedestrians without a pedestrian request? Ever notice where homeowners store their new garbage & recycling bins for one day every week (where else are you going to put them?)? Ever cross Keele Street east bound at Glenlake? Let me know if you can see through the advertising on the TTC shelter to check for possibly speeding southbound cars on Keele, 'cause I can't.
    I'm glad there's more attention paid to pedestrian issues in the city.
    I just think it's awful that so many pedestrians had to die first.

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  10. Is it really happening more than usual or is the media just picking up on it more?

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  11. Relevant points about our local Councillor, Eric. I have noticed a sentiment of dissatisfaction with our Councillor in the neighbourhood too. It is almost impossible to get any assistance from his office, let alone the Councillor himself, and he seems to ignore many of the major issues that arise within the community. He seems to prefer supporting corporate interests, or plugging issues that will get him press time, like the subject of this post...

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