CambridgeToday received the following open letter to the mayor and council regarding pedestrian safety at roundabouts.
Dear Mayor Jan Liggett and council members,
I am writing to express my growing concern regarding pedestrian safety at roundabouts in Cambridge and urge immediate action to install pedestrian crossing signals at these locations.
Roundabouts are designed to improve traffic flow, but their current layout poses significant risks to pedestrians. Pedestrian crossings are often located just beyond exits where drivers accelerate, creating a dangerous mix of speeding vehicles, distracted drivers, and unprotected pedestrians. Each day, residents report near-misses, sudden braking by drivers, and confusion among road users.
According to Statistics Canada data from 2018 to 2020, more than 300 pedestrians are killed annually in Canada. Intersections, including roundabouts, are the most common locations for these fatalities, accounting for approximately 21 per cent of all pedestrian deaths.
The same report highlights that one in five pedestrian deaths involve environmental factors, such as poor visibility, weather, or inadequate infrastructure—factors often present at roundabouts. Alarmingly, more than a quarter of pedestrian fatalities occur at night between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
These statistics paint a stark picture of the vulnerabilities pedestrians face, especially in areas with heavy traffic flow and inadequate safety measures. The current design of pedestrian walkways at Cambridge roundabouts exacerbates these risks, particularly where crossings are positioned at exit points where drivers accelerate. The combination of higher speeds, reduced visibility, and lack of clear signalling creates a dangerous environment that demands immediate attention.
Installing pedestrian crossing signals at all roundabouts in Cambridge would significantly mitigate these risks. Such measures ensure vehicles stop for pedestrians, improve driver awareness, and align our city with modern safety practices. Addressing this issue proactively will save lives and reinforce Cambridge’s commitment to being a safe, inclusive community for all residents.
I strongly urge the council to prioritize this matter in the next budget session and allocate resources to upgrade pedestrian crossings at all roundabouts with signals.
Thank you for considering this urgent matter. I am confident that the council will act decisively to safeguard our residents and enhance public safety.
Faisal Susiwala
Cambridge
