Cycling can be a contentious topic among Vancouver residents, and a new billboard has people talking about bicycle safety.
The billboard comes from Vision Zero Vancouver, and a blurb on their website suggests that it’s in the name of demanding safer streets.
On the billboard, a young child can be seen riding in a lane next to a semi-truck. The caption on the billboard reads, “Smoking tables next to non-smoking tables used to be normal too.”
“Join us in fighting for safe streets.”
Vision Zero Vancouver
“We used to accept a lot of dangerous things as normal,” the Vision Zero website says.
The messaging hopes to change the narrative around sharing dangerous road spaces.
“But times change. Asking children — and cyclists and pedestrians of all ages — to share unprotected road space with 4,000-pound vehicles? Let’s make that a thing of the past, too.”
According to Vision Zero, the billboard will be displayed in Vancouver for four weeks between August and September and was designed by Tom Flood with Rovélo Creative.
In a media release sent to Daily Hive, Vision Zero says the ad is the group’s first billboard launch, which is “encouraging Vancouverites to join the fight for safer streets.”
“It’s a bold ad with a simple message,” said Margie Sanderson, a spokesperson for Vision Zero Vancouver. “We used to accept a lot of dangerous things as normal, but times change. Asking children – and cyclists and pedestrians of all ages – to share unprotected road space with 4,000 pound vehicles? Let’s make that a thing of the past, too.”
“Sitting at a non-smoking table didn’t really keep us safe from second hand smoke, just as riders in a painted bike lane are not safe from the mistakes of people operating multi-ton vehicles all around them. Painted bike lanes might be normal, but that doesn’t make them safe,” a statement from Vision Zero adds.
A thread on the Vancouver subreddit led to a lot of discussion about the ad, with most people suggesting it’s an effective way to raise awareness about road safety.
“I like it… Hopefully shifts some perspectives,” one user said.
Others liked the billboard but suggested that the Vision Zero website could use some changes.
“Anyway, it’s a great billboard, I just wish their website was a bit more approachable for someone who is not already on board with their goal.”
Another Redditor said, “Wow, that’s pretty powerful!”
What do you make of the ad, and do you agree that it’s an effective way to get people to think about street safety, particularly when it comes to sharing the road with cyclists?
Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X