City officials are under pressure to address a risky activity in a Vernon neighbourhood.
Council has received complaints about primarily young people longboarding on the streets in the Rise development off Bella Vista Road.
“It can be devastating,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham of the consequences when a longboarder comes in contact with a vehicle.
Since May, three longboarders have been injured, one of them critically, after colliding with vehicles in West Vancouver. In 2010, a longboarder died in North Vancouver during an accident.
Dody Putz, a Rise resident, believes it’s just a matter of time before something happens here.
“There are many hairpin turns and residents have had near misses with the longboarders coming down from the top streets of the development and proceed down Okanagan Hills Boulevard to the Bella Vista intersection to turn on to Tronson and then to the lake,” said Putz in a letter to city council.
“I have watched from my home near collisions with vehicles as they come down the hill at this intersection.”
Putz says the city has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all residents and youth.
“Our major concern is that not only the residents of the Rise use our streets, many local people, visitors, tourists and potential new home owners do as well. It will be too late if an unfortunate accident happens and someone is killed,” she said.
Council has instructed city staff to investigate the matter and report back to council on possible solutions.
Cunningham hopes a compromise can be found where longboarders can pursue their activity but safety is ensured.
“Maybe we find designated areas that longboarders can use,” she said. “We have to give them some options because they are going to do it (ride longboards).”
