District of Saanich / Twitter
Saanich installed new bike sensors at the Mackenzie and Borden intersection
Cyclists and pedestrians will notice some changes at a busy intersection in Saanich.
The District of Saanich has recently installed new lights equipped with automatic bike detection sensors and “pedestrian head-start signals” at the McKenzie and Borden intersection, as part of their active transportation plan.
The new lights will inform cyclists that they have been detected at the intersection by an illuminating cyclist icon. It also includes a new sign to let cyclists know about the automatic pedestrian signals.
“There is currently only one of these signals at McKenzie and Borden. Our goal was to ensure a smooth connection from the regional trail that crosses McKenzie Avenue,” said Saanich spokesperson Kelsie McLeod. “More may be considered in the future.”
The upgrades are also part of the Borden Street and McKenzie Cycle Track, which provides “a protected cycling facility from the entrances of the Lochside Regional Trail, McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street intersection and the Cedar Hill X Road and Lochside Drive intersection.
Also part of the active transportation plan, a number of the Saanich’s traffic signals have been installed with automatic pedestrian walk signals.
The district has installed 21 automatic walk signals on busier streets on Quadra Street, McKenzie Avenue and Shelbourne Street.
All of these intersections are also seeing new head-start signals.
“By giving pedestrians a head to head into the crosswalk we improve their visibility to waiting drivers and in many cases allow them to finish their crossing before any conflicting cars are even permitted to proceed,” said McLeod.
The automatic walk signals were, however, kept out of residential neighbourhoods in an effort to reduce noise, according to the district.
Rebecca Lawrence
