The City is focused on making mobility modes other than driving a safe, comfortable, and accessible choice for people of all ages and abilities. A decreased reliance on driving reduces traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution. It also improves feeling connected to the community.
Walking
Walking is the most fundamental mode of transportation. It is part of every trip. Even when the trip is made by bicycle, transit, or car. The City is focused on making walking a safe, comfortable, and accessible mobility choice for people of all ages and abilities.
Enhance your visibility, especially after dark. Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing, or attach a light or a reflective strip to your clothing.
Stay alert. Watch out for drivers turning into an intersection from left and right. Try to make eye contact with all nearby drivers before stepping out onto the street.
Don't assume a crosswalk or a green light at an intersection makes you safe. Ensure drivers see you before you step out from the curb.
Especially if you know you may be slower in crossing a road, give yourself the most time to cross by waiting for a newly turned green or walk signal.
Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and be on the lookout for turning or backing vehicles.
Keep scanning for vehicles as you cross.
Hold your hand up or do whatever it takes to make yourself more visible to drivers.
source: BC Coroners' Office
Stay alert. Don't be distracted by activities that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road. Watch carefully for pedestrians when approaching any crosswalk or intersection.
Ensure all pedestrians have cleared the road before proceeding.
Take special care to watch for pedestrians or other vulnerable road users when making a left-hand turn.
Watch especially carefully for the elderly or mobility-challenged. Recognize it may take them longer than average to complete a safe crossing.
The City of New Westminster embraces cycling as a mobility option for commuting and recreational purposes. This aligns with the goals in the Master Transportation Plan and Climate Action Bold Steps. Cycling promotes a healthier lifestyle. It also reduces air and noise pollution.
Explore the City's Active Transportation Network Plan. It identifies a Core Cycling Network to be implemented within a five-year time period. The network will connect people to major destinations within the City as well as regional cycling networks.
HUB Cycling is a non-profit organization working to improve cycling conditions across Metro Vancouver. The member-based advocacy group strives to remove barriers to cycling and improve the quality of communities, health, environment and local economies.
