A proposed change to the wording of a Riverview traffic bylaw.
This comes after a concerned resident wrote to the town council last spring over kids’ street hockey and bylaws.
The letter expressed complaints regarding children playing street sports in a residential area, and that sparked conflicting opinions, especially on social media.
After discussions during a town council meeting in 2024, a motion was put forth for staff to do research looking at how other communities have addressed street sports and bylaws.
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It was found that Moncton and Dieppe have provisions in their bylaws that enable them to manage street obstructions, addressing issues caused by items placed on the street for sport or recreation.
On May 5, 2024, a survey was done by a Riverview bylaw officer who observed a total of 159 basketball and hockey nets placed on streets and sidewalks.
During a committee of the whole meeting on Monday, Town Clerk Karyann Ostroski says the recommendation was made to change the bylaw wording from “No person shall engage in any sport, game or recreation that may interfere with the operation of a motor vehicle” to “No person shall put, place, or cause to be placed upon on any street or sidewalk any item that creates an obstruction, impede, or interfere with the safe and efficient movement of a motor vehicle or the maintenance of a street.”
This would allow the bylaw department to focus more on obstructions, to determine if there is a risk to traffic or safety, especially in high-traffic areas.
“It was very challenging to enforce kids playing on the street, so it’s easier for us to actually deal with the obstruction,” Ostroski said during the meeting.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, there are provisions relating to children playing in the street. That means if street sports become a safety issue, they can still be managed by police.
“If we do see a basketball net or a hockey net that is in a really tricky intersection, officers can investigate and make that call as to whether it is a safety issue or a traffic obstruction,” Ostroski added.
Councillors voted in favour of the proposed changes, but they will still need to be ratified at the next regular council meeting.
