The Halifax Cycling Coalition is asking you to voice your opinion on the state of Halifax’s street and sidewalk plowing, and support our call for better snow-clearing equipment. It is clear that the city lacks the tools and resources needed to keep people moving in the winter months, particularly for people who are walking or biking. In other snowy cities a brush machine is used to clean sidewalks and bike lanes down to bare pavement. The Halifax Cycling Coalition believes that Halifax should invest is this sort of equipment to maintain access for people who walk, use bikes, and use accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers. Our petition calls for the city to review snow-clearing practices to ensure that sidewalks, curb cuts, storm drains, pedestrian islands, bike lanes, transit stops and all other public infrastructure is cleared in a way that respects the needs of all road users.
Most cities uses a snow brush machine to clear sidewalks and bike lanes (Photo via copenhagenize.com)
These brushes can be installed on the existing fleet of plows. Last week, councillors rejected an opportunity to review sidewalk clearing practices. Seven councillors think our sidewalk clearing is so great that we shouldn’t even discuss the matter. At the same time a fed-up wheelchair user took it upon himself to clear the path in front of his home. He was trapped inside his apartment thanks to the city’s inadequate snow removal. Anyone who has walked or biked in the last two weeks knows something has to change. On Friday, hundreds of Haligonians will gather to protest the awful sidewalk clearing on the Peninsula.
We need your help to clean up Halifax’s snow plowing act
Please sign the petition below. It will send a message to council that proper snow clearing equipment matters for people who walk and ride bikes.
Halifax stands on its own in terms of sidewalk plowing. We should demand the same quality of service as is provided in New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and other North American cities. By refusing to allow staff to study the issue council is keeping us in the dark about the cost of providing proper service to residents.
Let’s work together to ensure Halifax’s snow plowing is as effective as possible.
