The most dangerous intersections for cyclists, and likely for drivers too, are available for anyone to see on BikeMaps.org.
And now the District of Saanich has enlisted the locally created, but global project, to share its data with Saanich. Staff plan to use the data with the research for its new Moving Saanich Forward campaign. The research includes a large amount public consultation and will help design a 30-year active transportation plan.
“We are excited to be able to work with BikeMaps.org to help make Saanich a safer place for people riding bikes,” said Harley Machielse, director of Saanich Engineering. “We are proud to be able to take action by actively making changes to these prominent locations identified on the BikeMaps.org mapping.”
BikeMaps.org is an online and mobile app that lets citizens map their riding experience. Previously, only 30 per cent of bike collision data was collected and there was no system to centralize or report near misses. But the value of knowing where crashes and near misses happen most is a life-saving predictive tool, and Saanich has recognized that.
“[For us] it’s great that Saanich wanted as many hot spots as we can find,” Labaree said.
“The timing is perfect as it’s the beginning of the active transportation plan, and to see them using it for planning is exactly what we had hoped.”
BikeMaps has already linked with Saanich Police and the CRD. They’ve held joint info sessions on the Lochside/Galloping Goose trails and Saanich’s bike patrol are able to share the BikeMaps name as a resource for cyclists who have complaints about certain hot spots or situations they’ve encountered.
Coincidentally, one of Saanich’s worst cycling intersections is currently being upgraded. The McKenzie/Admirals crossing of the Galloping Goose was the source of constant near-misses and incidents of car meeting cyclist. But the new overpass for cyclists will remove that.
The BikeMaps team recently contributed to the newest cycling lanes in Saanich. Data was analyzed and categorized into hot spots for the Saanich project planners who used the results as one of the criteria in selecting the cycling infrastructure improvements for Lansdowne Road, Borden Street near McKenzie Avenue and McKenzie Avenue near Shelbourne Street. The changes include the construction of separated cycling lanes and pathways.