A message from the Observatory Site Manager
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:55 pm
A message from the Observatory Site Manager:
It's that time of year again to remind the cycling enthusiasts of the ongoing safety concerns associated with use of Observatory Hill for training and/or recreational purposes.
Although most of the riders are respectful of the rules of the road, and the conditions we have specified for using our roads, speeding and some reckless practices continue to be an issue and it has been particularly visible around the office complex and the Centre of the Universe.
Due to a number of incidents and complaints this past year, we will be making changes to restrict the traffic pattern permitted for bicycles on the upper hill. We've had cyclists ride right through barrier tape into a construction zone, ride through barricades restricting access to the parking lots and then ride through groups of children here on day camps, ride through the middle of adult groups receiving lectures at the telescope entrance and weave in amongst visitor's vehicles. These incidents listed are far from inclusive and I could go on. These actions are unacceptable, disrespectful and most importantly unsafe.
We will therefore be implementing the following measures to prevent an accident before it happens.
* Effective immediately, we are restricting cycling traffic from proceeding around the 72" dome, as we currently do with motor vehicles. Signage will be installed indicating this is is for pedestrians only.
* We are also asking that cyclists who are training use the circle turn around located between the White House and the smaller telescope dome (near the concrete water tank) as their point to return.
If we continue to encounter unsafe cycling practices, we will completely restrict cycle access to the turn about and if things still don't improve, we will have no alternative but to ban training on our road altogether-which is something we would prefer not to do.
It is unfortunate that we must take these actions but safety is about prevention and some riders are just not cooperating. As we've said in the past, it is the actions of a few who can ruin it for all. You can all help by communicating with and encouraging members of your groups to respect all of our rules, exercise caution at all times, and be considerate of our staff and visitors. We believe we have a good relationship with the cycling community and we too have a large contingent of cycling commuters on staff. We are pleased to welcome cyclists but we do so at our discretion. We need your help to police those riders who are affecting the welcome.
Please disseminate this message widely to all those who should be informed. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Clyde Donnelly
Site Infrastructure Manager
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Observatoire Federal
d'Astrophysique
National Research Council Canada Conseil national de recherches
Canada
5071 W Saanich Rd, Victoria, V9E 2E7
Colin
It's that time of year again to remind the cycling enthusiasts of the ongoing safety concerns associated with use of Observatory Hill for training and/or recreational purposes.
Although most of the riders are respectful of the rules of the road, and the conditions we have specified for using our roads, speeding and some reckless practices continue to be an issue and it has been particularly visible around the office complex and the Centre of the Universe.
Due to a number of incidents and complaints this past year, we will be making changes to restrict the traffic pattern permitted for bicycles on the upper hill. We've had cyclists ride right through barrier tape into a construction zone, ride through barricades restricting access to the parking lots and then ride through groups of children here on day camps, ride through the middle of adult groups receiving lectures at the telescope entrance and weave in amongst visitor's vehicles. These incidents listed are far from inclusive and I could go on. These actions are unacceptable, disrespectful and most importantly unsafe.
We will therefore be implementing the following measures to prevent an accident before it happens.
* Effective immediately, we are restricting cycling traffic from proceeding around the 72" dome, as we currently do with motor vehicles. Signage will be installed indicating this is is for pedestrians only.
* We are also asking that cyclists who are training use the circle turn around located between the White House and the smaller telescope dome (near the concrete water tank) as their point to return.
If we continue to encounter unsafe cycling practices, we will completely restrict cycle access to the turn about and if things still don't improve, we will have no alternative but to ban training on our road altogether-which is something we would prefer not to do.
It is unfortunate that we must take these actions but safety is about prevention and some riders are just not cooperating. As we've said in the past, it is the actions of a few who can ruin it for all. You can all help by communicating with and encouraging members of your groups to respect all of our rules, exercise caution at all times, and be considerate of our staff and visitors. We believe we have a good relationship with the cycling community and we too have a large contingent of cycling commuters on staff. We are pleased to welcome cyclists but we do so at our discretion. We need your help to police those riders who are affecting the welcome.
Please disseminate this message widely to all those who should be informed. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Clyde Donnelly
Site Infrastructure Manager
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Observatoire Federal
d'Astrophysique
National Research Council Canada Conseil national de recherches
Canada
5071 W Saanich Rd, Victoria, V9E 2E7
Colin