I made the wise decision to head out Thursday to get things over with since Friday was built up for a fairly big storm.
In the end, St. Catharines apparently received the most snow in Ontario (go figure, an area that usually receives the least amount).
The south end got around 44cm, while where I am in the north had 30cm.
Just some pictures from yesterday during the storm (take with Nikon Coolpix S30)
With sidewalks impassable, walking on the road was the only option.
Snow covered Corgi.
I’m always amazed at how few people clear their vehicles off…nor drive with any lights on.
The missing bike lane…or in this case, the missing road.
Clearing the sidewalk (for the second time), my little wondered out to the sidewalk.
The reason you had to walk on the road. There is a sidewalk somewhere there.
Difficult to turn down side streets. I watched as many who were going to turn just carried on. One woman (in an smaller SUV) tried but got stuck. So as some of my neighbours (all motorists) stood and watched her, I (non-motorist) took 30 seconds to clear a space on the road for her to gain better traction.
Something I read a number of other bike blogs is how often cyclists are the ones to assist motorists when in trouble.
I walked down the street to Avondale. The young guy working there said he was planning on closing early. Don’t blame him either as it was quiet.
Now onto the “day after”. All before 7am after doing a final clear up. (Taken with Canon Rebel T1i)
Roads cleared pretty well to the curb. They are actually in bikeable condition at least.
This sidewalk is at least cleared (as of now).
St. Francis high school has always been a more car-focused school. They dug up some of the field when I was there to build a teachers parking lot, so the student could have their own (all the while having no bike racks, sorry but the heap of mess that they do have isn’t a bike rack).
This further shows their lack of concern for students who walk.
For starters they still haven’t made a full, proper path leading to the sidewalk. Now they don’t even clear it.
Can someone who drive please explain why taking 2 minutes (if that) to wipe snow off ALL windows and the roof is a hassle?
The following were taken on my walk to Shoppers Drug Mart (Taken with the Canon as well).
It’s been years since I’ve seen plows pile snow up this high here.
Because I left early (just before 8am), most sidewalks were not cleared which meant walking on the road.
I have issues with some private snowplow operators. When clearing the entrances to stores, they tend to get quite a bit of snow onto sidewalks and the bike lane.
You can actually make out the bike lane! Ironically enough when we had our first snowfall of the season (26 Dec) which was less then 10cm, the bike lanes were in brutal condition.
Would have been nice for the snowplow operator to clear this mess he made out of the bike lane. Doesn’t look like much, but it is difficult for bicycles to go through, which then forces us out into the road.
Lakeshore Road (no bike lane on this street) isn’t as appealing to ride on.
Bike racks are often ignored and not cleared.
Another shot of the bike lane mess the private snowplow made…
Of course the sidewalk isn’t much better.
Again, it doesn’t look like much but someone in a wheelchair/mobility scooter or just someone with difficulties walking would struggle over that.
Walking on the road again.
Just before this picture, an elderly guy pulled over (heading the same direction I was) and asked if I had far to walk. He seemed on the “up and up” (meaning not a perv), so it was nice of him to offer.
The above picture is of a van travelling the speed limit (50km/h), but passing quite close with a lot of snow/slush spraying up.
The final picture has a story associated with it:
While I was waiting for Shoppers Drug Mart to open, I spotted something black on the ground (hard to miss against the white of the snow). It looked like a phone. When I picked it up, it was indeed an iPhone encased in one of those tough rubber cases.
The store opened and I brought it to the woman at the make-up counter (there as you walk in).
She was thrilled as it turned out to be her phone.
She was so grateful for me returning it, she offered to buy me something. I said it was fine, but she insisted.
So since I went for coffee (Maxwell house) which was on sale for $7 and cream ($1), I thought fine she could buy the cream and I’ll pay for the coffee.
I went back to the counter, and she then said pick out one of the colognes at the end isle. I opted for the Ferrari one ($20).
She then brought it to the main checkout, and paid for everything (yes, the cologne, coffee and cream).
Talk about right place, right time, eh?
Sounds like a pretty interesting day. Is there a sidewalk clearing ordinance? Many cities seem to have them, vancouver for example the sidewalk in front of a property must be cleared by the property owner by 10 am I think it is. Usually neighbourhood kids just walk around with a shovel and offer to do it for people for cheap. Speaking of high schools, one just opened by my work less than a month ago, and they purposely built it with no student parking provided, or even allowed. The new school was built replace an old one that closed at the same time just a few km away, which did have student parking. Plenty of bike racks for it too.
ReplyDeleteI just checked it out, and it says within 24 hours after the snowfall...pretty generous IMO.
ReplyDeleteIt seems Vancouver presses on with their progress when compared to other cities in this country. You would never hear of a school built here with without student parking.
We haven't had anything approaching winter here on the Wet Coast. Nothing like you're experiencing anyway. It has been grey though, and there's no plow for that.
ReplyDeleteWhen it does snow here, the biggest frustration is the state of the Galloping Goose/Lochside Trail system, which is not cleared, robbing bike commuters of a main artery.
On the occasion that we do get big dumps of snow--a decadal event, that can be feet deep--I've noticed that the storm gets people out of their cars to walk the streets (say, to the nearest store for provisions) and they actually talk to one another. Strange that it takes disaster or at least disruption to return the sense of community robbed by the automobile and the urban design it spawns.
I've been waffling on what I prefer more. Snow or rain.
ReplyDeleteEarlier in the season we had light but consistent rain which didn't bother me one bit. A snowfall like this prevents you from commuting (even by car for most), but usually within a day the roads are clear.
Smaller snowfalls (like we saw 26 Dec) destroyed the bike lanes and side streets for nearly 2 weeks.
Our Welland Canal trail, which because of its location is more recreation then commuting is usually closed or 'use at own risk' this time of year.
I'm surprised that the Galloping Goose isn't maintained. I remember reading and looking at pictures of it a few years back and it seemed like a trail that would be a no brainer to maintain year round.