Proposed: Car-Free Sundays in Burnaby Starting May

In a bid to enhance the vibrancy of Burnaby’s commercial areas and foster a sense of community, Burnaby city councillor Pietro Calendino has proposed the implementation of car-free Sundays in the summer months. Inspired by the pedestrian-friendly streets seen in “world-class cities,” Calendino imagines major streets in Burnaby being converted into pedestrian-friendly zones on Sundays from mid-May to mid-September.

The proposal, outlined in a notice of motion submitted for the upcoming council meeting, suggests a rotating schedule for car-free Sundays on key commercial corridors. These corridors include Hastings Street from Boundary Road to Gamma Avenue, Kingsway from Patterson Avenue to Royal Oak Avenue, Edmonds Street between Kingsway and Canada Way, Sixth Street between Edmonds Street and 10th Avenue, and Central Boulevard.

Under Calendino’s vision, these streets would be open exclusively to pedestrians, alternative mobility users, roller skaters, vendors, entertainers, food trucks, and local businesses. The initiative aims to not only create a safer environment for residents to enjoy outdoor activities but also to provide a platform for businesses to expand their operations onto the sidewalks or curbsides.

Highlighting the potential benefits of car-free Sundays, Calendino emphasizes the importance of community engagement and physical activity. By removing cars from the equation, residents are encouraged to come out of their homes, mingle with neighbors, and participate in various activities such as walking, cycling, rolling, and dancing on the streets.

Moreover, Calendino believes that implementing car-free Sundays would align with Burnaby’s commitment to climate change action. By reducing reliance on automobiles and promoting alternative modes of transportation, the initiative could contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating the city’s environmental footprint.

In addition to enhancing community connectivity and promoting sustainable practices, Calendino’s motion also seeks to gather input from businesses located along the affected corridors. By canvassing their opinions and addressing any potential concerns, the city aims to ensure that the proposed initiative benefits all stakeholders involved.

The proposal is set to be deliberated upon during the upcoming council meeting, scheduled for Monday, January 29th. Depending on the outcome of the discussion, the motion may be approved for implementation or further consideration at a subsequent meeting on February 12th.

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