In Richard R. Gill’s letter (“Fix traffic in east Vancouver,” Our Readers’ Views, Oct. 27), he gives multiple suggestions to improve the conditions of 162nd/164th and Mill Plain Boulevard. While I agree with his proposed plan of adding more prominent signs and markings for pedestrian crossings to catch drivers’ attention, I believe that reducing the speed limit and installing “Your Speed” devices will do little to solve reckless speeding on these roads.
For example, McGillivray’s speed limit is 25 mph and there are a few “Your Speed” devices here and there. However, this does little to deter drivers from exceeding 35 mph on this road. Perhaps speed and intersection safety cameras would discourage excessive speeding if drivers knew they could easily be caught and fined.
In response to Gill’s description of bike lanes being “death traps,” I would suggest installing “armadillos” to separate roads and bike lanes. They are made from recycled plastics and are already being utilized on certain streets such as Tech Center Drive. While I often see cars veering into the bike lanes on other roads, I have never seen this happen where these plastic bumps are installed. As such, I think this would be an effective solution to dangerous biking conditions.
