Considerate Contractor Scheme for Vancouver
If Vancouver really means to give priority to walker and cyclists, then it's time we instigated a Considerate Contractor scheme like the ones that have been in place in the UK for decades, for example: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Business/Business_support_and_advice/considerate_contractor_scheme.htm
I'm tired of having to retrace my steps to cross the road because contractors have closed the sidewalk mid-block randomly. I'm also tired of contrators treating bike lanes as their own personal business parking space for cars, trucks, dumpsters and other equipment. When I complain, I'm told that the City allows them to use bike lanes during contstruction, and that they are free to close sidewalks at will without prior permission.
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/924fb84378b0f7b91215cccd7487722d?size=40&default=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.uvcdn.com%2Fpkg%2Fadmin%2Ficons%2Fuser_70-6bcf9e08938533adb9bac95c3e487cb2a6d4a32f890ca6fdc82e3072e0ea0368.png)
-
NOTE: thetransitfan's idea "Don't allow construction companies to block sidewalks" has been merged with this one.
"Sidewalks can be blocked for months at a time by construction, particularly in the downtown core. This discourages walking. If construction must take over the sidewalk, create a pedestrian walkway alongside the sidewalk. Don't make pedestrians cross the street."