April 7 - Explosive shuts park

Good morning !

Today we have an update on a type of mobility device that has begun sharing local roadways—although many of these e-scooters had already been using the roads to an extent, just not fully legally.

More on this below, plus a story on a much different type of device that you really don’t want to share the road with: An explosive device.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 12 / 6 

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 10 / 8

Tuesday: 🌦️ 13 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

E-scooters now allowed on many local streets

As of Friday, electronic kick scooters are allowed in the bike lanes of Victoria, Saanich, and Langford. These stand-up scooters have front and back wheels on a narrow platform, and are often used for food delivery. 

There are several key restrictions: Riders must be 16+ and helmeted, while the scooters must not be able to hit speeds over 25km/h. These scooters must be ridden in a bike lane (rather than on the road or sidewalk), unless the road has no lane and has a limit under 50km/h. Then, a scooter can operate at the right-most edge of the road.

Other devices could join lanes

Victoria voted a month ago to join the pilot, which was just extended to 2028 after initially launching in 2021 with only Nanaimo on board from the Island. Victoria councillors also want BC to allow devices such as e-wheelchairs and mobility scooters into bike lanes and road edges.

Will this change bike lanes?

As Capital Daily covered last month, these expansions of which devices can use bike lanes may result in changes to local lanes to create room for devices of different sizes and faster speeds. 

More on that here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Weather this week: A mix of sun, rain, & cloud.

BC-wide Amber Alert cancelled after Langley baby found safe.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Explosive device surfaces in local home, then on local roadway, then at local park

 A local found an explosive at their home, West Shore RCMP say, and called in around 1:45pm to report it and to announce that they were driving it to the police station. Police warned that driving with an explosive was dangerous, and asked that the driver pull over and wait for officers. 

But the driver, police said, had already gone ahead and taken the explosive out into Veterans Memorial Park. RCMP say they then went to the park in central Langford, closed and secured it, and called in the explosives squad. The area was reopened around 5:30pm.

FOOD

These local drinks are perfect for spring

As the streets become lined with fluffy pink blossoms, local backyards and patios begin to bloom with laughter and conversation. If you’re looking for the right drink for these springtime scenarios, the region has plenty of seasonally appropriate options.

From hazy beers and fruity sours to dry ciders and tangy white wines, these are some of the local drinks that pair perfectly with spring.   

Read the round-up at Tasting Victoria.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦞 The best seafood spots: Have your say on who serves the best seafood in town. [Tasting Victoria]

🌸 Chinatown cherry blossoms captured in these Doug Clement photos. 

🩴 Call for donations of spring clothing by QomQen Coastal Indigenous harm reduction and health services. [Details]

🤝 Now hiring: Lighting and scenic technician at the Butchart Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

Wily elephant seal relocated up-Island again
Local celebrity Emerson was apprehended by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, for a fourth time, and taken from the Gorge out to an undisclosed remote west Island spot. [Times Colonist]

Floyd’s Diner Brentwood Bay building for sale
The brunch joint says that it intends to remain in the property previously occupied by Sassy’s Family Restaurant long term, despite the ownership change. [Victoria Buzz] 

Islands Trust looking at new rules around the public recording meetings
Heated Lasqueti meetings last year prompted a report on the issue; after reading it, the approach seems to be to ask that anyone recording a meeting let the chair know. [Driftwood]

First woman to serve as BC Lt. Gov. dies at 91
Iona Campagnolo held the position from 2001 to 2007. She was also the first woman to be president of the federal Liberals. [CP / Yahoo]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Pyrotechnician / Lighting and Scenic Technician at the Butchart Gardens

• Board member at South Island Prosperity Partnership.

• VP, Fund Development and Communications at YMCA YWCA of Vancouver Island

• Director of Finance at Belfry Theatre

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🍽️ The Courtney Room x Pluvio Restaurant: Warren Bar and Lily Verney-Downey of the Ucluelet restaurant will serve up delicious food during The Courtney Room’s Guest Chef Series. Today.

🎂 Champagne and Cake Show: See what professionals from the wedding, event, and celebration industry have to offer with this event in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Today at The Wardroom at CFB Esquimalt. 1-5pm.

🛼 Mini Roller Derby Tourney continues today at Archie Browning, 9am-6pm. [Tickets] Livestream via Twitch.

🎸 Valdy: The Juno-award winning folk and country musician will perform at Mary Winspear Centre. Today. 2pm.

🏀 March Madness basketball final: Watch the NCAA women’s championship, starring phenom Caitlin Clark—the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history. Uptown Mall CBH. 12:30pm. [Info]

🎵 The Carl Mayotte Quintet: The jazz bassist and his band will perform at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

😂 Ron James: The Canadian stand-up comedian will perform at McPherson Playhouse. Today. 7:30pm.

🛍️ Westshore Swap, Shop, & Market: A community swap meet featuring local vendors at the West Shore Parks & Rec parking lot. Today. 8am-12pm

👀 In Case You Missed It

3 Victoria-areamurders are the subject of new Island Crime podcast season. [Capital Daily]

What’s the deal with the solar eclipse? [Sat. newsletter]

A scenario out of a movie—or a nightmare: Man gets stuck in clay pit. [Capital Daily] 

Missing Westshore man found on Friday.

That’s it!

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