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Save Vancouver Streets gathers 6,517 signatures, delivers petition for 2025 ballot initiative

Grassroots group argues Vancouver’s complete streets program makes roads more dangerous, congested

By Alexis Weisend, Columbian staff reporter
Published: November 4, 2024, 5:41pm
2 Photos
Neighbors are concerned about the safety of Southeast McGillivray Boulevard, as seen Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, 2023.
Neighbors are concerned about the safety of Southeast McGillivray Boulevard, as seen Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, 2023. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Members of the grassroots group Save Vancouver Streets said they delivered a petition with 6,517 signatures to Vancouver City Hall on Monday seeking a ballot initiative that would require voter approval to remove traffic lanes.

If the signatures are certified, the initiative will appear on the November 2025 ballot.

The group formed in response to the city’s so-called complete streets policy, which seeks to add bike lanes, sidewalks and improved pedestrian crossings. Members worked tirelessly over the past six month to gather signatures, organizer Justin Wood said. They ended up with 2,287 more signatures than the city requires, he said.

“We literally were just six people trying to do this,” Wood said.

The group jump-started the initiative after the city proposed major changes, including removing lanes, along Southeast McGillivray Boulevard, Southeast 34th Street, Main Street and other local roads. The projects fall under the city’s complete streets program, which was adopted in 2017 and aims to create a transportation network that is available to anyone regardless of how they commute.

Save Vancouver Streets argues the program makes roads more dangerous and congested. Group members say they’re frustrated by the lack of public involvement in decisions. They have complained at community forums that city councilors are difficult to contact and that the city is not taking their opinions into account.

City officials say they have hosted open houses, conducted online surveys and engaged with businesses and residents near the projects.

Wood said he responded to a city survey, but all of the choices included a lane removal.

“The question a lot of people, including myself, asked is, ‘What if we wanted one option left with two lanes?’ And the city said that was not an option,” Wood said. “I personally have been very frustrated at how difficult it has been to talk to council and share concerns.”

The group turned the signatures in almost a year before the next election because signatures have six months before they expire, according to the city charter.

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