There will be no adventure tourists climbing the Lions Gate Bridge any time soon. Not legally, at least. The province confirmed this week it rejected a local entrepreneur’s proposal to offer organized climbs up the service ladders inside the main support towers.
The rationale given by the transportation minister was that the government would not support a “private company requesting the ongoing use of a major piece of public infrastructure for commercial gain.”
Much of the province’s revenue comes from licensing the use of Crown assets. Using the minister’s logic, there should be no ski resorts on the North Shore. That too is commercializing our collective assets for private gain. But it also brings in millions of dollars in revenue and employs hundreds of people.
The B.C. Liberals have been quick to seize on the rejection as being just another example of the NDP choosing to be unfriendly to small business and entrepreneurs. It’s hard to argue with them.
We didn’t find much love for the bridge climbing idea among our readers and the online commentariat, many of whom raised issues of safety and liability. It’s true, people at the top could be seen by motorists below and that may indeed be a distraction, which no one wants. And we never did get to see detailed plans on how rescues could be carried out inside the tower or at the top.
But the province’s rejection was on principle. Not for practical reasons. Risks can be mitigated. Liability can be waived.
And, with or without an organized climbing business, those same risks exist right now, regardless.
We heard from a few rogue, amateur climbers who have made their way to the top without supervision or safety equipment.
Perhaps the province could have used some revenue to pay for security measures the bridge is already lacking.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
