Vancouver will prohibit pedestrians from occupying roadway medians, dividers
The Vancouver City Council on Monday unanimously approved an amendment to the city's pedestrian interference ordinance, which officials said aims to address a public safety gap on roadways.
The updated ordinance - originally created in 2021 - gives law enforcement the authority to intervene when individuals sit on, stand at or occupy traffic medians and other roadway dividers not designed for pedestrian use. Vancouver's homeless response program coordinator, Tyler Chavers, said the original ordinance did not specifically address enforcement in those areas, leaving officers in a gray area.
The proposed ordinance is intended to keep everybody safe, from pedestrians and cyclists to work crews.
According to the approved ordinance, a person could be in violation if they intentionally occupy roadway dividers, obstruct traffic or engage in picketing, protesting or aggressive begging in those spaces.
"In order to meet the city's goal for a safe and prepared community, as well as transportation and mobility goals, we want to provide our law enforcement with the tools which will prevent tragedies before they occur," Chavers said.
Proactive approach
The city adopted its original ordinance in 2021 after a driver lost control of his vehicle during a medical emergency and fatally struck a pedestrian on a roadway island. Within a few hours of the scene being cleared, someone was already reoccupying that space, Chavers said during an April city council meeting.
Under the amended ordinance, enforcement will now typically begin with a warning, but repeated violations could result in citations or arrest for a person.
Chavers said the ordinance is intended as an early intervention tool to prevent serious injury or death.
Since 2016, there have been more than 775 pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Vancouver, including 127 serious injuries and 48 fatalities, 40 of which occurred outside lawful crossing areas, according to Monday's staff presentation.
During public testimony, Vancouver resident Todd Boulanger said although he supports the ordinance's intent of improving pedestrian safety, he also believes the councilors have not been shown enough evidence that people standing on medians, traffic islands or roadway dividers are a significant cause of fatal crashes.
Boulanger said that the ordinance should be backed by a more detailed analysis of crash data and that its language should be clarified.
"The staff report provides one compelling example, but one example should not be treated as if it explains the entire fatal-crash pattern," Boulanger said in a written testimony provided to The Columbian.
City Councilor Ty Stober said Boulanger's testimony contained substantial feedback that should be taken seriously. Stober said the council should continue to examine whether the ordinance is the best tool to achieve its intended roadway safety goals. He added that he was open to revising or refining language.
Councilor Kim Harless said the ordinance is a proactive effort to address dangerous situations before they result in serious injuries or death.
"I really appreciate proactive approaches, because nothing is worse than somebody losing their life," Harless said.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 5:56 PM.