Lazy leaf blowers cause hazard
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It's a problem every year and one the city is hoping to curb through education.
Whether an innocent mistake or a wilful disobedience some gardeners are blowing their leaves in to the street, rather than piling them on the boulevard.
"For those that choose cycling for transportation, the glut of leaves on streets where this happens pose a safety hazard," said city councillor and cycling advocate John Luton. "In the rain they get very slippery and at other times, they hide potholes and other surface hazards, prompting cyclists to ride further out into the travel lanes where conflicts with vehicles become another hazard."
Ken Hilchey, Victoria's supervisor of parks operations, agrees it's a problem especially because the leaves can clog gutters.
"The most frustrating part is when they park on (the leaves)," he said.
Several apartment blocks and the odd residence leaves piles in the road, he said, pinpointing San Jose Avenue and Jackson Street as chronic offenders.
While technically, the gardeners are breaking a bylaw, Hilchey said, "we don't follow up with fines."
Instead, this year, Hilchey is starting an education program. Parks staff will talk to the owner if home, or leave a brochure highlighting the regulations.
Esquimalt doesn't face the same problems because it doesn't offer leaf pick-up services. Instead, residents are welcome to take their excess yard waste to 605 Canteen Rd. for complimentary composting.
rholmen@saanichnews.com
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