If they see a cute sign on the road side, the theory is, motorists will slow down for a look (and avoid driving off the road in the process.)

It’s a strategy that seems to be working on 132nd Avenue for the Alouette Valley Association.

As more people move into the sprawling Silver Valley suburbs, more motorists were speeding along the country road, putting horses, their riders, joggers and walkers at risk as they use the road shoulder.

So last summer, neighbours started to paint little signs highlighting the natural attractions and posted them along the road.

Some signs depicted bears, others joggers or cyclists.

Now they’ve got about 30 completed. The eventual goal is to have 50 sticking up at various points along the avenue.

“It’s just going crazy,” said Terri Dumas, with the AVA.

And are drivers slowing down?

“I think generally they are. That’s the response I get from some riders, but we have a way to go.”

That’s generally confirmed by Ridge Meadows RCMP, who welcome the signs. Police, though, say the road is a commuter route where motorists often speed and they plan to continue monitoring it.

People now are even coming from West Vancouver and White Rock just to see the signs, says Dumas.

The campaign is part of the Alouette Valley Association’s goal to convert 132nd Avenue, between 216th and 232nd streets, into a “recreational roadway.”

Currently, horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians have to ride on the road shoulder. It’s a recognized equestrian path known as a shoulder horse trail.

“It’s not a safe situation,” said Dumas.

By narrowing the road to only three metres wide in each direction and reducing the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour, there will be more time and space for non-motorized users. The extra room will allow a horse-friendly shoulder on one side of 132nd Avenue and a multi-use walking trail on the other.

Creating a quiet road where all users feel comfortable will give safe access to Maple Ridge Park, Horseman’s Park, the Maple Equi Sports Centre and the new horse trail that runs to the north, along 136th Avenue, linking Silver Valley and the dikes along the Alouette River farther to the west.

It’s proposing the same thing for 224th Street, from Horseman’s Park to 136th Avenue.

While the horse trail to the north at 136th Avenue, connecting Silver Valley to the dikes along the Alouette River, is mostly complete, there’s no way to access that trail from 132nd Avenue.

And while Dumas says that’s a beautiful trail, it’s for equestrians.

In its proposal from last summer, the AVA says creating trails for runners, bikers, hikers and equestrians is a powerful draw and will help attract high-tech businesses.

The idea recently received the initial support of the Alouette River Management Association. The co-chairman of that group wants approval from the board of directors before sending a letter of support.

The three groups – Alouette Valley Association, Silver Valley Neighbourhood Association and ARMS – “should be linked as a strong voice for the whole area, which in historic records, is the Yennadon community,” said Geoff Clayton.

Bruce Hobbs, with the AVA, said traffic volume is growing along 224th Street and 132nd Avenue. Most of the cars exceed the 50 km/h speed limit by at least 20 km/h.

Wildlife corridors intersect with the road and this year three deer and two bears have been killed on the road, he said.

One horse, How-D, was killed in 2004 after being clipped by a vehicle on 132nd Avenue, and another horse had to be put down in 2006 after suffering the same fate on that road.

In 2007, two horses had to be euthanized after being hit by vehicles, one on 128th Avenue and the other on 232nd Street.