A new transportation initiative aimed at improving safety for local cats has stirred both excitement and concern in Nanaimo.
On Tuesday, April 1, city officials announced plans to introduce one-foot-wide, cat-only lanes along Metral Dr., a key local transportation route. The dedicated lanes will be built between Mostar and Aulds roads, nestled between bike lanes and sidewalks, offering a safer path for cats in the area.
Purrlock Holmes, a well-known feral cat advocate and local resident, has long campaigned for better transportation options for the feline population. “This is a huge victory for cats everywhere, especially with the growing feral population in the area. These new lanes will undoubtedly help keep them safer and reduce the number of hospital visits for cats—and CATscans!” Holmes quipped.
While the new lanes have garnered support from cat lovers, they haven’t been universally embraced. Some local human residents are skeptical, describing the move as a “cat-astrophe.”
Several concerned citizens have reported incidents of cats wandering onto the roadway, causing disruptions. One of the most serious incidents involved a cat leaping into a bike lane, resulting in a cyclist veering into traffic and getting grazed by a speeding pickup truck.
Not all neighbors are convinced that a dedicated feline pathway is the answer. “We knead to do better,” said one anonymous local, expressing concerns to NanaimoNewsMEOW.
Efforts to reach Holmes for a follow-up comment were unsuccessful, as he was reportedly napping at the time of the inquiry.
The new cat lanes will come at a cost of $800,000, funded by local taxpayers, and are expected to further narrow Metral Dr. in the process. The city also plans to introduce similar cat-specific lanes throughout Nanaimo in the coming years.
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