Pedestrian safety should be forefront of Halifax urban redesign, says expert

The manager of active transportation for Vancouver is in Halifax to sharehis ideas on improved street designs for walking and biking.

"We're designing our sidewalks for all ages and abilities," said DaleBracewell.

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Bracewell was brought to Halifaxby a pedestrian advocacygroup called Walk and Roll, the Halifax Cycling Coalition, the PlanningDesign Centre and the Halifax Region.

The Walk and Roll group is hoping to learn more about innovativetraffic calming ideas to increase pedestrian safety.

In Vancouver, pedestrianbulges, an extension of curbs into the road,are used at intersections.

"That creates greater visibility," said Bracewell.

"And we're alsousing raised crosswalks and that makes drivers slow down."

Protected bike lanes more widespread

Meanwhile, the Halifax Cycling Coalition is hoping to learn moreabout the use of protected bike lanes.So far Halifax only has one.

The rest of the lanes in the city consist of painted lines on the road.

The wide spread use of protected lanes in Vancouver hasencouraged more cycling.

"We're seeing more children, we're seeing more seniors, we'reseeing more people actually biking for the first time," Bracewellsaid

Bracewell is hosting a workshopWednesdaymorning for urbanplanners.

He is also taking part in a publicsession called Passion for Place onWednesdaynight at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.