PRIDE-COLOURED CROSSWALK UPDATE – HELMCKEN RD AT RUDYARD RD
A staff report updating Council on the feasibility and budget requirements for a proposed pride-coloured crosswalk.
TO: Council DATE: June 18, 2025 FROM: Ben Lubberts, AScT, Deputy Director of Engineering MEETING DATE: September 16, 2025
PRIDE-COLOURED CROSSWALK UPDATE – HELMCKEN RD AT RUDYARD RD
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council direct staff to include a pride-coloured crosswalk project for to be considered in the 2026-2030 Financial Plan deliberations.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to respond to Council Resolution C-24-25 of the February 18th, 2025 regular Council meeting:
THAT, prior to consideration of a marked crosswalk on Rudyard Road at Helmcken Road, a crosswalk warrant be undertaken to determine the requirement for a marked crosswalk at that location.
BACKGROUND & ASSESSMENT:
Council will recall the following:
- At the February 11th, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Committee heard from staff three (3) options to symbolize the community’s visible commitment to inclusiveness and diversity by View Royal Elementary School:
- a pride-coloured crosswalk at the Helmcken Rd / Rudyard Rd intersection;
- pride-coloured benches in the boulevard area near the existing crosswalk on Helmcken Rd;
- a pride-coloured sidewalk.
- The Committee supported the option to install pride-coloured benches, for Council review and approval.
- At the February 18th regular Council meeting, Council directed staff to pursue the installation of a pride-coloured crosswalk at the Helmcken Rd / Rudyard Rd intersection, but that additional analysis be done first to ensure safety and any warranting protocols are completed, for future reporting to Council.
The technical review from a retained transportation engineering consultant confirmed that a formal warrant process is not required because the intersection already qualifies as a legal crosswalk under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. Regardless, the symbolic application of a decorative crosswalk is a political decision and therefore should be made by Council.
ANALYSIS:
Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Community Impact: | The installation of a pride-coloured crosswalk serves as a symbolic gesture of inclusion and diversity. The request also initially came from the elementary school. |
| Financial Implication: | Installation costs are estimated between $15,000 and $25,000, with ongoing maintenance required due to wear, weather, and potential vandalism. These costs are significantly higher than traditional crosswalks and would need to be budgeted accordingly. |
| Inter-governmental Relations Impact: | While the Town is not subject to Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) approval, the proposed decorative crosswalk would be designed to align with the MoTT’s Technical Circular document that permits decorative crosswalks within its roadways. This practice is consistent with what neighbouring municipalities do and is therefore a risk managed approach. |
ALIGNMENT:
The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:
| Document | Alignment |
|---|---|
| Strategic Plan: | A pride-coloured crosswalk aligns with the Strategic Plan’s vision and values of being an inclusive community. |
| Official Community Plan: | This initiative supports various OCP goals including public education and awareness of the Town’s inclusive values through its transportation and infrastructure projects (CH2, CH6), and designing roadways that contribute to neighbourhood character and livability (TR3). |
| Other Policy Documents: | Directly aligns with the Town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy #0100-55. |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:
The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:
[x] Inform [ ] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower [ ] N/A
TIME CRITICAL:
Not time-sensitive. Inclusion in the 2026–2030 Financial Plan would allow for appropriate planning and budgeting.
CONCURRENCE:
| Position | Initials | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Administrative Officer | SS | I concur with the recommendation. |
REVIEWED BY:
| Position | Initials |
|---|---|
| Director of Corporate Administration/Deputy CAO | NR |
| Director of Finance & Technology | NR |
| Director of Development Services | NR |
| Director of Engineering | IL |
| Director of Protective Services | NR |
ATTACHMENTS:
- February 11th 2025 Committee of the Whole Staff Report
Document Images
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