197 signatures! Here is a copy of the letter I just sent to the Mayor, City Council, Engineering Department, Operations Department,  BC Hydro and copied The Maple Ridge News: 

I encourage all supporters to send letters of Support of this petition to the decision makers as well as to cc cholland@pixiesbcca.com so I can keep track of as many letters of support as possible for this petition! Thank you  

Dear Mayor Dan Ruimy, Members of Maple Ridge City Council, Director of Engineering Steven Faltas, City of Maple Ridge Engineering Department, Director of City Operations Walter Oleschak, and BC Hydro; 

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing as one of many concerned residents, parents, and a member of the Albion community regarding ongoing safety concerns on 102 Avenue, particularly in the vicinity of the pedestrian crossings at 242B Street and 244 Street. I am submitting for your consideration the attached petition started by local residents advocating for enhanced safety measures along this corridor: https://www.change.org/102AveAlbion 

We have obtained 197 signatures and counting in less than 24 hours showing how important this issue is to the whole community. 

Context & Local Impact

Every day, hundreds of children and families walk, cycle, or take transit along this section of 102 Avenue as part of their daily commute to and from school and community activities. This includes students attending Albion Elementary School, which serves approximately 509 students in Grades K-7 and operates at above capacity.  Additionally, many of these young people, along with others in the area, travel to Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary, with a student body that exceeds its intended capacity (over 800 students reported). 

Families and caregivers have repeatedly observed vehicles approaching from the Jackson Hill roundabout traveling at high speeds toward the 240 Street signal, with limited incentives for drivers to reduce speed before reaching marked crosswalks as well as the same speed issues with vehicles traveling up 102 Ave towards Jackson Hill.  The road’s design — including a curve and limited sight lines at 244 Street and 102 Avenue — adds to the risk of serious collisions. 

Community Safety Concerns

The current mix of traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, and school-related pedestrian activity creates a scenario where near misses and documented collisions have occurred, yet traffic calming remains minimal. The existing marked crosswalks and pedestrian-activated rapid flashers, while helpful, have not been sufficient to deter speeding or create safe crossing conditions for the community at large. 

Requested Actions

In support of the petition, I respectfully request that the City undertake the following:

Comprehensive traffic and speed study for 102 Avenue between Jackson Hill and 240 Street to establish current vehicle volumes and speed patterns, and inform appropriate countermeasures.
Installation of traffic calming measures such as raised crosswalks, speed humps, and curb extensions to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian visibility.
Evaluation of the intersection at 102 Avenue & 244 Street for potential upgrades, such as a 4-way stop, enhanced signalling, or a roundabout.
Increased street lighting and signage at all major pedestrian crossing points, with a focus on school travel times and peak pedestrian flow hours.
Improved sidewalk connectivity, especially where gaps currently exist, to ensure safe pedestrian routes for students and residents alike.

Why Now?

With more families returning to regular school routines and children walking to and from two busy educational institutions, the risk of serious injury remains elevated. Residents who have signed the petition are seeking proactive engagement with the City to ensure that traffic safety supports, rather than endanger, school travel and neighbourhood use of public roads.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I kindly request confirmation of receipt of this email and would appreciate prompt details on your next steps toward addressing these urgent safety concerns.

Sincerely,

Christina Holland