MONCTON, NB – A suggestion that Fredericton should look at installing  “Women Only”  parking spaces is raising plenty of interest and a few eyebrows.

The idea, being floated by Councillor Stephen Chase, would see brightly lit spaces in city-owned parking structures set aside for women.

Chase suggests the gender-specific spaces, currently used in some European countries, would be welcomed by women who are nervous about going into dark parking garages at night.

Beth Lyons, of Moncton’s YWCA says while safety is a concern of many women, limiting their movement could be viewed as paternalistic.
   
Lyons says while she’s happy the issue of public safety is being raised, she would rather see a focus on making parking garages safer for everyone, not just women.