Greater Victoria's worst sidewalk crowned
A narrow band of concrete running alongside Lansdowne Road in Saanich has been crowned the worst sidewalk in Greater Victoria.
It was crowned the ignominious title by a group called Walk On, Victoria, in a contest based on photos submitted by the public.
“It’s so dangerous for a pedestrian’” said Natasha Moroz, who organized the second annual contest.
“There’s no way you’re walking on that without feeling like you’re walking on a plank,” Moroz said Wednesday.
The strip of sidewalk in question is across the street from Camosun College, and is barely a foot wide.
It’s a lighthearted contest, but has a serious objective.
“The ultimate goal is to bring some attention to pedestrian infrastructure that frankly just needs attention,” said Moroz.
The dubious distinction of second-worst sidewalk in the region goes to a slab of concrete on Oak Bay’s Granite Street – that comes complete with three stairs.
Second place in the Greater Victoria worst sidewalk contest went to this sidewalk/staircase in Oak Bay. (CTV)
Of course, the two suspect sidewalks are hardly the only subpar ones in the capital region.
Kate Grafton is a disability advocate with the Action Committee of People with Disabilities. She says problem sidewalks are everywhere and impact people with mobility issues — including herself — in a major way.
“It impacts my socialization, my ability to be in the community, to be a vital member of the community,” said Grafton Wednesday.
Grafton points to a patch of pavement on Douglas Street in downtown Victoria that's too narrow and bordered by stairs. It’s on her route to work.
“I’m scared every single day, every single day,” she said, describing the process of navigating it in her wheelchair.
Oak Bay’s mayor, Kevin Murdoch, says the municipality is assessing all its 100-plus kilometres of sidewalks, with an eye to accessibility, and appreciates the goal of the contest.
“It touches on sort of the broader issue that we have, which is upgrading all of our sidewalks to meet those needs,” said Murdoch.
Both Oak Bay and Saanich’s mayors tell CTV News because the sidewalks in question have accessible sidewalks across the street, fixing them won’t likely be a priority — but pledge that making their communities more pedestrian friendly is.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
McDavid scores in 2OT to lift Oilers over Stars in West Final opener
Connor McDavid tipped Evan Bouchard's shot from the boards past Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger 32 seconds into the second overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final..
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.