Coping with Iqaluit’s dangerous roads

After returning from a national youth summit on sustainable transportation in Ottawa, I was disappointed to realize that Iqaluit, like southern cities, has increasing traffic congestion, rising levels of air pollution and an obvious lack of pedestrian space.

Our city is designed around the roads. The major arteries of the city are made for the car.

No doubt we need vehicles to get around conveniently, fast and comfortably. However, without clear distinctions between the road and safe walking paths, cars pressure those people who choose to walk for exercise or who do not, or cannot, own a car. It is, in fact, dangerous and frightening to walk in downtown Iqaluit during the peak times of day.

To reduce the traffic congestion and pollution, consider car-pooling with your neighbour, and walking to work on certain days of the week. From most parts of town it cannot take more than 30 minutes to walk from one end of town to the other.

I’m not suggesting that we all change our habits overnight, but if we all made small changes in the way that we transport ourselves, then Iqaluit can be a safer and friendlier place to live.

We are social animals. Public pedestrian spaces downtown, like the park by the Elder’s Center, or sidewalks, will do wonders to build community and improve ease of mobility.

We need to decide what we want our community to be like, and then design our transportation to achieve that. In order to make our streets safer, we need to all make a concerted effort.

If you are a driver, please slow down when passing pedestrians. This is a clear sign of respect for others.

If you are a pedestrian, and a car passing gives you a mouthful of dust, make a sign to the driver by covering your mouth. We all need to work together to make Iqaluit a more respectful and safe community to live in.

Peggy Seale Holroyd
Iqaluit