Vancouver cities among 10 worst for cyclist, pedestrian fatalities

Metro Vancouver’s two largest municipalities are in the top 10 worst Canadian cities for pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

Vancouver is at the bottom of the list, at number 10 for both biking and pedestrian fatalities per capita since 2015.

Surrey is number four for pedestrian deaths and number two in Canada for cycling fatalities, according to a ranking put together by Prezler Law.

Navdeep Chhina with HUB Cycling is not surprised, suggesting Vancouver has invested comparatively more in safe infrastructure for active transportation than Surrey, resulting in fewer collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians.

“It makes sense, but even number 10 is not a good place to be,” he told 1130 NewsRadio. “The aspiration is that there should be zero deaths on our roads for any mode of transportation.”

Chhina believes Surrey could be doing more to facilitate safe, active transportation.

“One hundred percent. Investing in active infrastructure is about safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability for our cities. When we are building protected bike lanes or infrastructure for people walking, including safe intersections, that ensures more people of all ages, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds can move around safely and efficiently.”

He argues that creating more protected networks also induces demand.

“When people see the safe infrastructure, they are more willing to take active transportation. As a result, that reduces the burden on our roads. That frees up space for people who must drive for their work, accessibility needs, their financial needs, and such.”

Conversely, he says a lack of proper infrastructure puts vulnerable road users more at risk, creating a higher risk for conflict between different modes of transportation.

“We all drive, we all walk. Nobody wants to get into a crash or collision.”

As part of its latest 10-year servicing plan, the City of Surrey has been working on a number of projects that it says will result in an eventual 26 kilometres of protected cycling routes within the City Centre, built through a combination of road widening projects and cycling-specific projects.

But Chhina also believes more needs to be done regionally to reduce the number of both pedestrian and cyclist fatalities across Metro Vancouver.

“It comes down to building more protected infrastructure. There are so many critical gaps in the network that people can’t get to their destination without, quite often, riding on busy roads. That creates conflict not just for people cycling and walking but also people driving. It is unnecessary stress for all modes of transportation.”