Solutions for Eagle Run
This year the annual end-of-season Eagle Watch report focused on future recommendations for eagle-watching infrastructure, including better signage and parking.
The number of eagles in the Squamish Valley was the second highest since 2007, according to the report presented to council Tuesday, although “most stayed upriver and in the spawning channels after late November.”
This year, heavy rain late in November brought flooding that washed away spawned salmon near the Eagle Run dike.
The Eagle Watch program also had a high number of new volunteers: 27 returning (three less than last year) and 14 new active volunteers, compared to four new recruits in the previous year.
The report also includes recommendations going forward around the Eagle Watch program and facilities at Eagle Run, many that would require District support.
Among the suggestions are improving signage, including an update to the fading interpretive signs and the installation of “no drones” signs at Eagle Run.
The report also notes that limited parking in the area is an increasing problem. The current small lot near Eagle Run is often busy with local restaurant customers, and has no designated accessible parking spot or area for tour buses.
Wrong way cyclists
Councillors agreed to consider more bike education due to concerns about a high number of cyclists travelling against the flow of traffic.
Resident Darlene Anderson wrote to council on May 5 with her concerns about which side of the road cyclists should be travelling on.
“I believe that Squamish has a serious problem with bicycle road users,” wrote Anderson. “Many, many – I’ve never seen this anywhere else before – do not know that bicyclists are to bicycle with the vehicle traffic.”
Legally in British Columbia, bikes are considered vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act and are required to follow the flow of traffic.
While pedestrians on foot are often encouraged to face traffic when walking as a safety precaution, doing the same on a bicycle is technically illegal.
“With a growing population and therefore increased densities of vehicular traffic, the last thing that vehicle drivers need are bicyclists on both sides of the road,” wrote Anderson.
In her letter she suggests a bicycle education program be introduced in the District.
Councillors on Tuesday night agreed to forward the idea to staff for future discussion, although Coun. Jason Blackman-Wulff said he personally has no problem with allowing cyclists to make their own decisions.
“My concern is that I think the decision is best left to the individuals to decide what is the safest way to bicycle. There are some streets where you want to face oncoming traffic, depending on the circumstances,” he said. “It should be motorists who should just be careful.”
Mayor Patricia Heintzman agreed that the priority shouldn’t be “cracking down,” but instead providing education.
Coun. Karen Elliott said that she has taught her children to bike with the flow of traffic, but said the inconsistency they see on the road can be confusing.
“I’d like to see us be more proactive about education, because the problem I face is that I teach my kids to to go with the flow of traffic. Then when someone is coming up, they don’t know what to do. It’s a bit of a challenge,” she said.
