‘It’s just so dangerous’: Lansdowne Road sidewalk named worst in Greater Victoria

The worst sidewalk in Greater Victoria for 2023 is located on Lansdowne Road across from Camosun College, according to Walk On, Victoria.

Through the group’s ‘Janky June‘ contest, the thin strip of cement in Saanich was voted the worst sidewalk for any pedestrian or rider. ‘Janky’ is slang for poor quality.

Chad Gaucher, the contest winner, uses the pathway once a week and submitted a picture of the sidewalk to raise awareness about how dangerous it really is.

“I come by here once a week to go get groceries and I’ve seen people struggling on this sidewalk when coming by. When this ‘Janky June’ contest came up, I knew I had to enter because it is just so dangerous,” said Gaucher.

The average sidewalk in the Greater Victoria area measures a little more than five feet (152.4 cm), and this particular sidewalk is only 43 cm wide.

Mayor of Saanich Dean Murdoch is aware of the tiny little cement strip and claims the area is on the city’s radar as part of Saanich’s Road Safety Action Plan.

“It’s not Saanich’s best example of a place where people can walk, certainly not if they plan to do so safely,” Murdoch told CHEK News.

“In this case, there is a multi-use path on the other side of the street, so there is some opportunity for people walking and biking to get through that section safely.”

The runner-up for the worst sidewalk is on Granite Street in Oak Bay. This sidewalk abruptly stops due to a massive tree planted in the middle of the path.

Ron Matthews, the homeowner living closest to the tree, doesn’t seem to think the sidewalk is as bad as it looks.

“In my opinion, it’s a difficult sidewalk in a way, but you can go down and around it … it’s good and wide. In most conditions, the steps are fine,” added Matthews.

This is the second year Walk On, Victoria has hosted the online photo contest to promote safe, comfortable pedestrian infrastructure across the region.

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