Saanich, BC – The Saanich Engineering Department is making Improvements to public roadway crossings along regional trails to make it safer for people who are cycling, walking, and driving to share the space.

We have completed four main upgrades to ensure that pavement markings and signs are up to date with the current Canadian transportation standards and consistent throughout the regional trail system. These enhancements improve the visibility of the trail crossings, allowing both roadway and trail users a clearer idea of what to anticipate.

Here are some of the highlights!

Elephant’s Feet

You have probably seen these markings and wondered what they mean. Elephant’s feet are a series of white squares painted along the outside of the crosswalk and indicate to cyclists that they may ride through after making sure it is safe. Elephant’s feet have been added to many of the trail crossings along the Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails, as well as to some of the crossings along the Mount Douglas Connector.

These come as a result of changes to Saanich’s Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, adopted by Council to support active transportation.

Pedestrian and bike crosswalk sign

The pedestrian and bike crosswalk sign is used at multi-use crossings where drivers must yield to pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing. These signs can be seen along the Lochside Regional Trail at the Saanich Road and Maplegrove Street crossings.

Bicycle trail crossing side street sign

The bicycle trail crossing side street sign tells drivers that a bicycle path runs parallel and near to the through road and intersects at the next crossroad. Drivers turning onto the crossroad should immediately expect cyclists to be crossing the intersection. This sign can be seen along the Lochside Regional Trail at the Elise Place and Hanover Place crossings.

Visibility improvements

Vegetation trimming has been completed at the Saanich Road, Lohbrunner Road East and Hunt Road crossings to improve road users’ and trail users’ views of one another.

Improved visibility of the trail crossings will help protect trail users by warning drivers to slow down and stop, and by providing a clearer view when crossing.

Find out more

Visit saanich.ca to keep up to date on what we are doing to further Improve public crossings to ensure the safety and useability of our crossings, trails, and sidewalk.

Contact

Cynthia Williams, Engineering Technician III
Transportation & Development Services Division
Engineering Department
250-475-5494 ext. 3416
cynthia.williams@saanich.ca