Snow...

[Grog]

I was curious, so I called the Streets people and they did confirm that single family dwellings in Vancouver need not clear the sidewalks of snow/ice, though they are "encouraged" to do so.

HOWEVER, businesses, multi and single family dwellings in downtown must clear the sidewalk. That's in the bylaw.

Actually the single-family dwellers have to clean their sidewalks but only if they are downtown. (And if you live in a single-family dwelling downtown you most likely have the $$ to hire someone to do it for you!!). Elsewhere, nobody has to (and, based on my un-scientific counting on the Northwest side of things, about 50% do). As for commercial and multi-housing... I'd say about 60% of them sort of clean... I really wish there was a number to dial to automatically send a warning (and eventually a bill) to the places where they didn't. Gas stations in particular!!

[badger]

Actually the single-family dwellers have to clean their sidewalks but only if they are downtown. (And if you live in a single-family dwelling downtown you most likely have the $$ to hire someone to do it for you!!). Elsewhere, nobody has to (and, based on my un-scientific counting on the Northwest side of things, about 50% do). As for commercial and multi-housing... I'd say about 60% of them sort of clean... I really wish there was a number to dial to automatically send a warning (and eventually a bill) to the places where they didn't. Gas stations in particular!!

I thought I said multi and single family dwellings in downtown need to clear the sidewalk?

And there actually is a phone number you can call to "report" dangerous side walks. I didn't bother getting the phone number, but they said it's on the website www.vancouver.ca. In June, Vancouver's getting a 311 system where you can call that number for anything and everything to do with Vancouver.

So, if you want to report your shoveling-delinquent neighbour, or report a dangerous pothole on a bike route (like the one I hit and came off my bike) all you have to do is call 311.