The COV proposes to convert Crown Street into a one-way northbound from W 16 avenue to W 14 avenue with the goal of improving traffic flow for dropping off/picking up at Byng High School and JQ Elementary despite there being drop off on all border streets and ample free parking.

 

Crown street is not just a drop off zone, it is a multigenerational community hub for connection through exercise, public boulevard gardening, swimming, park and playground use year round.

 

This change fails to account for a dangerous reality: The alley running parallel to Crown Street will become the default route for southbound traffic and traffic will be pushed to all neighbouring streets.

 

There is also a high proportion of vulnerable seniors and children who use this area daily for exercise, connection and community. The Crown street proposal puts their safety and accessibility at risk.  It appears senior safety and accessibility were not considered in the creation of this proposal. 

Proven Safety Risk
During a 2023 School Streets pilot, when traffic was restricted on Crown Street:

The parallel alley experienced an unexpected huge increase in traffic
Vehicles sped through alley crossings, many without stopping
The Community documented near-collisions involving children, cyclists, and seniors who don't expect cars to come speeding out of alleys.
The pilot was ultimately cancelled due to safety concerns.

 

The current proposal would once again divert traffic into the same alley system.
 
Traffic will also be pushed onto nearby routes used by Queen Elizabeth school
This change will permanently push traffic to alleys 24/7/365 not just during school pick up and drop off. 

We are asking the City COV to:

Pause the proposed one-way conversion of Crown Street
Acknowledge and address the safety risks in the parallel alleyways, streets and safety and accessibility risk to seniors and children.

 

Engage directly with all stakeholders in an open community format: residents, parents, and school representatives. Residents and seniors who use the area daily were not included in discussions. 

Consider alternative safer options: Drive to Five (drive to five minutes from school and walk), encourage drop off on Wallace Street that has no parallel alley, an existing drop zone on both sides of the street and is a wider street than Crown, or widening Crown street to the East to allow for a drop off zone.

 

We support thoughtful traffic planning—but not at the expense of child, pedestrian, cyclist safety, community input, and lived experience.

 

Residents have installed speed bumps in the alley, successfully lobbied  with the school for a painted crosswalk at 15th and Crown and maintain pylons at the 15th and 14th avenue intersections

Please sign this petition to support a safer, community-informed solution.

You can also email feedback to SchoolActiveTravel@Vancouver.ca

Note the City provided diagram of traffic changes below, the parallel alley to Crown that poses a significant safety risk is not included.