COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug., 30, 2023 – Coquitlam is reminding all road users to stay alert and practice road safety rules as the back-to-school rush returns on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Motorists are reminded to focus on the road when driving and adhere to the school zone speed limit of 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on school days.
Residents are encouraged to walk, bike and take transit. With the addition of e-mobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, becoming more prominent in the community, it is more important than ever to share our streets safely and respectfully. Visit coquitlam.ca/escooter for more info on the City’s e-scooter pilot program.
Motorists
- Slow down and obey reduced speed limits in and around school zones
- Carpool with other parents
- Be observant of children and students when you are driving
- Adhere to parking regulations in school zones and only park in areas where legally permitted
- Plan ahead and provide additional time for pick-up and drop-off
- Follow anti-idling bylaws – no idling permitted longer than three minutes
- Pay attention at school drop-off zones and follow their regulations
Pedestrians
- Parents: Walk younger children between home and school when possible
- Obey the rules of the road and all traffic signs and signals
- Cross at intersections and designated pedestrian crosswalks
- Look for vehicles in all directions, including those turning left or right, before crossing the street, intersection or driveway
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to ensure they are aware of you
- Do not use personal electronic devices when crossing the street and remove headphones
Cyclists/Micromobility Users
- Wear a helmet and do not wear headphones while riding
- Do not ride on sidewalks unless it is a multi-use pathway
- Slow down when approaching pedestrians and ring your bell or use your voice to warn others when approaching
- Walk your bicycle/device across a crosswalk unless the crosswalk has parallel dotted lines and/or a sign permitting riding within the crosswalk
- Watch for other vehicles when riding through green conflict zone pavement
- Watch for vehicle doors opening and closing, and vehicles pulling in and out of parking spots
- Make eye contact – especially with drivers at intersections and driveways
- Use hand signals and be predictable, don’t make erratic movements
More information on sharing our streets safely can be found at coquitlam.ca/SharedStreets.
Transportation Investments and Updated Strategic Transportation Plan
The City of Coquitlam has invested significantly in the construction and improvement of accessible pedestrian sidewalks, and continues to invest in capital projects upgrading existing bicycle lanes and creating more multi-use pathways across the city.
Coquitlam's current Strategic Transportation Plan is a comprehensive and multi-modal plan developed in consultation with the public and was adopted in 2012. We are currently updating it to guide transportation improvements over the coming years as a lot has changed in our community since the plan was last adopted: the Millennium Line SkyTrain Extension; changes to best practices in street design; the need to address climate change mitigation and adaptation; as well as opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies.
As part of the updated Strategic Transportation Plan, we are developing a Road Safety Strategy that will serve as our roadmap to creating a transportation system that prioritizes road safety for all users. It will have focus on pedestrians and cyclists (vulnerable road users) and will include objectives to improve traffic safety around schools. The Coquitlam Road Safety Strategy will be developed based on analysis of crash data from ICBC and Police Reports, input from public and stakeholder engagement, and review of industry best practices and evidence-based research.
For more information on the next steps, please visit the public engagement project page at letstalkcoquitlam.ca/TransportationPlan.
Media Contact
Douglas McLeod
Director, Transportation
epw@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.