A reminder has been sent out by the City of Maple Ridge for drivers to slow down and watch for pedestrians as daylight saving time has come to an end.
With evenings getting darker, earlier, the city is reminding pedestrians and drivers about the ABCD’s of safety:
• Alert – stay focused, avoiding distractions like phones or headphones;
• Bright – wear bright or reflective clothing and use lights or reflectors to make yourself visible to drivers;
• Cross Safely – to use crosswalks and obey pedestrian signals, looking left-right-left and make eye contact with drivers before crossing;
• Decrease Speed – so slow down, especially near schools, playgrounds, and residential areas. Playground zones are 30 km/h from dawn to dusk.
Mayor Dan Ruimy noted that the city has been upgrading and enhancing crosswalks since 2024, as part of the city’s Crosswalk Enhancement Program.
Many now feature solar-powered Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) in key locations near schools, parks, and community centres, helping ensure pedestrians are more visible to drivers during low-light conditions.
“These new crossings, along with additional upgrades planned through next year, help ensure that our residents are seen and safe, particularly during the darker winter months,” said Ruimy.
“We’ve made significant investments to improve pedestrian safety, but it takes everyone’s attention and care on the road to truly make a difference.”
Ruimy said the city is on track to completing a total of more than 75 crosswalk upgrades by the end of 2025 and city staff is already planning new safety enhancements for 2026 including: additional RRFB installations, intersection upgrades, and sidewalk improvements.
The city also supports the following education and enforcement programs that promote safe travel:
• Ride the Road Program: A HUB Cycling program building cycling skills and confidence;
• I Wanna Walk Program: Helping children aged 8+ learn how to plan safe walking routes;
• and Road Safety Program: RCMP and volunteers monitor school zones, educating drivers on the importance of slowing down.
For more active school travel and safety tips and initiatives go to: MapleRidge.ca/SchoolTravel.
Residents can also help to identify areas where pedestrian safety could be improved by submitting requests online at: MapleRidge.ca/Report. All requests are reviewed using the city’s defined evaluation criteria and prioritized accordingly.
For more information about the city’s pedestrian safety initiatives, visit MapleRidge.ca/Crosswalks.