Re: “Lifestyles of the rich and furious,” Feb. 21.
Mr. Garr seems to suggest that Mr. Skalbania’s wealth justifies characterizing him as a rich whiner displaying arrogant entitlement if he dares to comment on the “absurdity” of the closure of Point Grey Road.
However, Mr. Skalbania’s observations should be considered with respect. Contrary to what Mr. Garr implies, no cars can travel east on Point Grey Road past the barriers at MacDonald. There is no longer direct access to Cornwall, Burrard Bridge, or MacDonald from Point Grey Road! Further, at the same time Point Grey Road was closed to vehicles, a traffic-calming barrier allowing only bikes to pass through was erected on West Third at Bayswater. This blocked some drivers from an easy direct exit from West Third to the major traffic light at Fourth and MacDonald where they could make a safe left turn to continue east.
Now many eastbound drivers must take a more circuitous route to exit from West Third or must take their chances at one of the flashing lights along West Fourth. If lucky, a pedestrian or cyclist may trigger the light to allow a safe left turn; if not, drivers risk being t-boned by oncoming traffic. The only other safe option is to drive four extra blocks by turning right on Fourth, then left through other neighbourhoods, then right again to travel east on Fourth.
Note too, when West Third was blocked at Bayswater, a new light was erected at Third and MacDonald. A yellow sign with a bike symbol facing west is also at that site.
This raises other questions: If West Third was already a designated bike route and is still being encouraged and enhanced as a bike route, why was Point Grey Road closed just two blocks down, at an unwarranted cost to the taxpayers, to public safety, and to public access? And with alternative approaches available, why did Vision Vancouver opt for the extreme, catering to a few while ignoring the overall impact not only on the neighbourhood, but on others as well?
Is this “vision” or “tunnel vision?” Or, as Mr. Skalbania suggests, might this fairly be called “absurd”?
