City councillor says the project is a low-cost effort to add some greenery. Others say it takes away already limited parking space in the Plateau.
The general public seems to be missing the point of the curb extensions as a traffic calming initiative with the added benefits of greenery. Instead focusing on the removal of parking spaces, and not on the increased visibility and lower vehicle speeds these types of installation promote.
If you were the only person in a vehicle on the roadway stopped by a signaled intersection its probably very inconvenient for you, and you may ask for the signal to be removed as its a barrier.
Now if you add in all the other vehicle traffic that uses that roadway with you, that signal now serves a very specific purpose to make your commute more efficient and safe. Without that signal, that exact same intersection would now be completely gridlocked with probably a few collisions, meaning you would get no where quick.
That same light is also a type of traffic calming as it slows vehicle traffic to make the roadway safer for all road users, this includes pedestrians, cycalists and motorists.