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LETTER: Opposed to new townwide Banff speed limit

Editor: I am very disappointed in the bylaw being passed for a townwide 30km/h speed limit in Banff. I am not here to bash Town council and Banff administration. I understand the decision has been made and there were different votes on this issue and

Editor:

I am very disappointed in the bylaw being passed for a townwide 30km/h speed limit in Banff.

I am not here to bash Town council and Banff administration. I understand the decision has been made and there were different votes on this issue and many discussions, but I really question their motives, choices and decisions.

My right to drive a car in town or anywhere in the Bow Valley, Alberta and Canada is my right of choice. It's not the government's decision how I want to use my choice of transportation. The motive I see from this bylaw is to make it more frustrating for cars and a continued punishment for cars and buses. I also believe it's a cash grab to catch potential speeders, especially on Banff Avenue, Mountain Spray Avenue and Tunnel Mountain Road.

To give cyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers what I would call free rein is a dangerous road to go down. Many don't know road rules, so this is asking for trouble. As a motorist we are told to follow traffic lights, stop signs, yield signs and any pedestrian and speed limit signs that are on the road.

I have been driving for 14 years and I have seen many cyclists and skateboarders blow through red lights and stop signs, almost getting hit, honked at or yelled at by motorists. Roads were made for cars.

I read a few articles on this topic and the sense I'm getting is people feel entitled to do what they want on the road.

Mountain Avenue is a hard hill to drive up and down. I have tried doing 30km/h up this hill and it is hard. In the winter it’s icy and I believe the 30km/h on this hill is going to cause more collisions because cars can’t get up the hill on snowy and icy days. Going down the hill, you're riding your brakes so is the Town going to pitch in for brakes for people who live up there?

On most streets in town, you can’t go faster than 30 to 40km/h because of how busy it is and the amount of traffic signals and signs makes it hard to go at any speed, so why spend the money on more signs?

I love Banff. It’s my second home since I moved to Canmore, but I am seeing money being spent on things that I don’t think need to be spent on. It’s very frustrating to see and disappointing.

I don’t understand why ask for public opinion when your mind has been made up?

I have respect for Town council and staff, but this is something i do not agree with.

Landan Semenok,

Canmore

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