Drainage

Both the placement and choice of drainage on the highway is problematic for cyclists. Highway gullies - drainage pits covered by open metal grating located on the road's edge - are of primary concern to cyclists’ safety. On the Sea to Sky Highway, the metal grating of the gullies run in the same, or similar, direction of bicycle tires rather than perpendicular; paired with spacing between the grates exceeding the common bike tire width, there exists a high probability of tires catching the grates while transversing the gullies. In addition, their common placement in the shoulders contribute to a reduction in the effective shoulder width. Dangers related to drainage grates on the highway are increased by poor hazard marking: few were labelled with warning signs, while paint markings were often severely worn. Scuppers - openings in the concrete barriers to drain water - are found along the highway as well and pose no threat to cyclists; their use over highway gullies should be standard except where road conditions and regulations do not permit their use. Where scuppers can not be used, “Bike Safe” drains are an appropriate replacement that meet highway regulations.

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