A new report released Thursday reveals British Columbia’s worst roads, and for the first time a bike path has made the list.
The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) survey polled motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians over the month of May.
Almost 600 separate stretches of road were found to be unsafe, heavily congested, or seriously in need of repair.
Those surveyed were increasingly concerned about pedestrian and cycling safety on Vancouver’s B.C. Parkway, a bike path along the Expo SkyTrain line that connects Vancouver to Surrey, New Westminster and Burnaby.
It was voted the second worst road in B.C., behind Kelowna’s Westside Road, which has clinched top spot two years running.
Westside Road was cited for its numerous potholes and weakening pavement, though parts had been resurfaced over the year.
The George Massey Tunnel received third place because of heavy traffic congestion. Replacement consultations and plans are already underway, although a fix isn’t expected for many years.
The roads nominated because of pedestrian and cycling safety concerns increased from six per cent last year to 15 per cent.
“The bike path making the top 10 ‘Worst Roads’ list speaks volumes about the need to ensure cyclists - and pedestrians, for that matter - have safe places to commute, which helps reduce the risk of traffic collisions for all road users,” said BCAA’s Ken Cousin,
The number of nominations made due to potholes and crumbling pavement decreased from 77 per cent last year to 65 per cent.
Roads nominated due to traffic congestion increased from four per cent last year to 14 per cent.
Others in the top 10 offenders include Port Alberni’s Pacific Rim Highway, the Vernon Slocan Highway near Cherryville, Indian River Drive in North Vancouver, the Sea-to-Sky Highway near Pemberton, and Todd Road in Kamloops.
