The Dutch Solution for Safer Sidewalks – Continuous Sidewalks
One of our favorite Youtube channels is Not Just Bikes. This youtube channel and the videos on it are a creation of Jason Slaughter, a Canadian who decided to move to the Netherlands because he much prefers the people-friendly living environments there to the so-called public spaces in most North American cities that favour cars over people. His videos are very interesting and educational, and they’re very popular among many people (not just people who like bikes) who are interested in how cities work.
I suggest to watch this video on “continuous sidewalks”. We love the concept, and believe it’s just a matter of time before we will start seeing it throughout Metro Vancouver because it makes so much sense. Just like for sidewalks, it can be used for multi-use paths and cycle tracks. In the Netherlands, but also in places elsewhere, they’re used very successfully to improve safety of people walking and cycling at side streets.
In Canada, the City of Nanaimo has adopted continuous sidewalks and bike paths as a standard design for local street intersections since 2020. Especially on multi-use paths, where people cycle in both directions, it’s important to slow cars down where they cross paths with active users and make drivers aware that the road they’re on crosses a space where people walking and cycling have the right of way.
We’re super excited that the City of Pitt Meadows is progressively planning to pilot a number of continuous sidewalk projects according to their new Active Transportation Plan. You can check out the locations in the Plan. Whenever you come across a continuous sidewalk or path, let us know what you think!
There’s much to explore on the Not Just Bikes channel. If you’re interested in how cities work and why, add it to your favourites!
