Today the Committee passed the following motion regarding proposed changes to the “Medical Precinct” along West 10th Avenue.
MOVED by Dellie Lidyard
SECONDED by Eva Wadolna
WHEREAS
- In 2013, Council ratified the City’s plan to seek formal recognition from the World Health Organization as a “Global Age-Friendly City;”
- In 2014, the Province of British Columbia officially designated Vancouver as an “Age-Friendly Community;”
- Both of these actions have committed the City to follow an “Age-Friendly Action Plan” which refers to “making streets and sidewalks more accessible and reviewing accessibility in areas where seniors live or gather;”
- The Transportation 2040 Plan prioritizes the needs of pedestrians above all others and further states that “a special emphasis will be placed on safety for at-risk groups to get to where they need to go comfortably and safely;”
- Seniors require safe and efficient access to West 10th Avenue so they may attend the numerous medical facilities in the area, including the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital; the BC Cancer Research Centre; the Eye Care Centre; the Arthritis Centre; the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre; the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility; and the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Centre;
- The addition of a dedicated bicycle route would increase traffic along this route and therefore increase the risk for collisions with pedestrians, especially those who are disoriented or mobility-impaired;
- The addition of the bicycle route would also leave inadequate space for taxis, HandyDart, private cars, or emergency vehicles (especially in cases of vehicle breakdown or catastrophic events);
- The current plans do not provide safe, dedicated pick-up and drop-off locations for seniors accessing medical facilities;
- The proposed removal of up to 77 parking spaces would require seniors and/or their caregivers to park and walk a much greater distance to and from medical facilities;
- The current designs do not provide for sufficient lighting or other features that improve safety and comfort for vulnerable seniors;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Seniors Advisory Committee request Council direct staff to:
- Investigate more suitable options for the proposed protected bicycle lane, which may include relocating it to the designated bicycle path on West 7th Avenue between Oak and Ash Streets;
- Ensure sufficient sheltered drop-off/pick-up locations in front of entrances to each medical facility along West 10th Avenue, directly connected by gentle ramps and raised crosswalks to slow traffic;
- Ensure clear signage to caution motorists about vulnerable pedestrians and to give priority to emergency vehicles;
- Ensure adequate lighting, crossing signals, and benches for the safety and comfort of vulnerable pedestrians.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
