District of Squamish Coun. Bryan Raiser always said it was only a matter of time before someone got seriously hurt while biking on Squamish roads. He never guessed he would be the one seriously injured.
"The entire community is appallingly unsafe for anyone not travelling in a car. The greater community has been screaming about this and no one has been listening," Raiser said. " I hope they will listen now."
Raiser was severely injured in a biking accident while commuting to his Valleycliffe home after an evening council meeting Tuesday Jan. 20. Raiser crashed and broke his kneecap at the south section of the Mamquam Channel Bridge. Raiser speculates that poor signage and road/bridge conditions led to the accident, in which Raiser fell down a 12-foot embankment, breaking his kneecap.
"It is amazing I didn't hurt myself more and I consider myself very lucky to be alive," Raiser said. "It's baffling that it has come to this and I have heard people say that someone would have to die before anything gets done."
As a newly elected municipal councillor, Raiser is on a warpath to make changes to Squamish streets. He said the community has been yelling for changes and the time has come to act.
"The squeaky wheel gets grease and it's time to do some screaming," Raiser said.
Dave Crebo, ministry of transportation communications officer, said Raiser's accident was unfortunate. New barriers have been erected in the area to protect other commuters.
"What I can tell you is that once the upgrades to the highway are done, there are going to be new and improved shoulders for cyclists along the whole corridor. We are looking at shoulders that are one and a half metres wide," Crebo said.
While construction enters the final phases, Crebo warns cyclists to use extra caution when cycling through construction zones.
"Cyclists need to use extreme caution," Crebo said. "When all is said and done, it is going to be quite a nice ride on the road."
The Mamquam Channel Bridge isn't the only area of concern in Squamish and Mayor Greg Gardner said road safety is a priority for the district.
"We don't have any control over the area Bryan Raiser had his accident, but commuter safety is a high priority for this council," Gardner said.
Ironically at the council meeting earlier the same night, the District of Squamish was given council approval to apply for a matching $238,000 grant under the BC Cycling Infrastructure Program. If approved for the grant, the district must commit to spending the same amount.
The money spent would cover the costs to build bicycle lanes on the Westway Avenue-Government Road route through town. The BC Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Program encourages transportation to reduce the number of trips made by motor vehicles.
"Pedestrian routes as well as vehicle routes have been given a high priority and we are prioritizing projects on the basis of safety concerns," Gardner said.
Gardner pointed to the Westway Avenue-Government Road route, which also stretches throughout the entire community. He said that route is council's highest priority because it is used mainly by children.
"That route virtually links all of the schools in Squamish so it is a high priority or us," Gardner said.
Gardner said work is also being done on the creation of a corridor trail, which would create a route north and south through the entire community. The district has committed $800,000 to build the trail stretching between the Stawamus Chief parking lot and Depot Road in Brackendale. He said construction has already begun.
In the meantime, Raiser said he will continue to be an outspoken advocate for commuter safety in Squamish. He said the community has been incredibly supportive and he will not stay silent.
"I can't help but speak up about this. I really hope this leads to more safety in our community. We don't need another accident to happen."
