Email Re: helmcken intersection

Elena Bolster

Subject: FW: FW: helmcken intersection

From: Pam Loadman Sent: March-29-16 5:57 PM To: Ron Mattson Cc: Mayor And Council Email Subject: helmcken intersection

Hello Mr Mattson

The new intersection at Helmcken and Watkiss Way/Chancellor Ave has been recently changed to adapt to traffic volumes and direction with the New Eagle Creek Village center. The View Royal engineering department has made some sound decisions and changes that consider bike commuters as well as the car commuters moving through the intersection at Helmcken and at the traffic circle on Watkiss Way at the entrance to both VGH and the new shopping center. However, the traffic lights that allows cars and bikes to cross Helmcken from Chancellor Ave and Watkiss way need re-evaluation. This is a designated cycle route for bikes leaving or accessing the Galloping goose and crossing Helmcken Road to VGH or the new shopping center.

For bike traffic the following issues remain unaddressed and create an unsafe passage across Helmcken.

1. There is no bike stencil on Chancellor that allows cyclists to easily set off the light change. In my case and in others who use the intersection regularly, I have had to wait 2 or 3 cycles before being in the correct location to change the light.

2. The light stays green for 5 seconds only. This does not allow enough time to cross the intersection on a bike. I am a fairly strong cyclist and daily the light turns to yellow/red when I am half way across the intersection. This creates an unsafe environment and makes me vulnerable to traffic going through Helmcken. It certainly does not allow for any unanticipated problems – this morning my pedal got stuck and it took a second or 2 to sort it out. This resulted in me being only 1/4 of the way across the intersection before it turned yellow. I felt extremely vulnerable in the intersection as the light turned red (and green for those on Helmcken moving towards the highway).

3. There is no bike stencil on Watkiss to tell motorists that cyclists can be in the lane for those people not turning right onto Helmcken. It would be very unsafe for cyclists to move across Helmcken while cars turn right from Watkiss road towards the highway.

I have been in contact with View Royal Engineering twice regarding this matter. The response has been that they will be monitoring the intersection over the next 6 months and will make changes after that period of monitoring. The person I talked to at the front desk at Engineering stated that the person in charge of this intersection did not have time to be responding to emails or phone calls regarding the intersection. I would like to see these safety concerns addressed as a priority before an accident occurs – thus I have written to you.

I look forward to your response

Best regards

Pam Loadman