Mayor Dan Curtis is planning to take at least one vehicle out of Riverdale's daily traffic congestion.

Curtis, a long-time resident of Riverdale, said this morning he's committed to start taking the bus. It's advice he's also issuing to many who are complaining about traffic volumes in and out of Riverdale every day.

Traffic delays were the major issue which arose among the 20 residents who attended a town hall meeting for the area Wednesday night.

Curtis acknowledged there's more traffic than there was 15 years ago, when he bought his home, but it's not unreasonable, he said.

Many have argued the new lights installed at Hospital Road and Lewes Boulevard earlier this year are slowing traffic down.

The mayor, however, said it normally takes him 10 to 20 minutes at most to drive from his home to city hall downtown, a time he argues is reasonable.

"I think the traffic lights have been a God-send,” he said.

While there may be a line-up of vehicles stopped at the lights during the short morning rush, he pointed out, it's much safer for pedestrians to cross the road.

It's also easier for drivers to make a left turn heading to the Whitehorse General Hospital or coming from the hospital onto Lewes Boulevard into Riverdale.

Concerns have also continued to arise about the slow movement of traffic due to the roundabout further down the road into Riverdale at Nisutlin Drive and Lewes Boulevard.

Curtis argues the traffic circle is doing its job of moving traffic in a safe way.

While it's been suggested a second bridge needs to be built for access in and out of the area, Curtis does not believe that's the answer.

He noted there's been talk of a bridge to the Long Lake Road.

That, however, would be a costly endeavour for the city, he pointed out.

The only way to fund it would be to open up more areas there for development. That would ultimately mean more people coming in and out of the area every day – meaning it would continue to be a problem.

Curtis argued instead that transit, vehicle pooling and/or active transportation such as walking or cycling (with the bike lanes expected to be built next year) are ways that could pare the level of traffic and travelling times in Whitehorse.

As he pointed out, there are a number of parents choosing to drive their kids or have their kids drive to school in Riverdale.

And while school buses are among the vehicles heading in and out of Riverdale through the week, Curtis noted that the city is continuing to work with the Department of Education to expand a pilot project where high school students travel by city transit to school.

While Curtis said he doesn't mind the up-to 20 minutes it can take to get from Riverdale to downtown every morning through the week, he said he and his wife are both committed to start taking transit instead.

He noted that up until now, he's been driving so he could drop his kids off at school, but they will soon be getting there on their own.

Fewer drivers travelling in and out of Riverdale would also have positive implications for parking in the downtown area, he noted.

While many focused on the traffic in the neighbourhood, the other issue of concern mentioned at the town hall was the use of trails.

Curtis noted that it seems that overall, most people using the trails are respectful of the rules.

However, there are a few motorized vehicles being used on non-motorized trails, creating issues for some residents.

"Trails are always a concern,” Curtis said.

Work is being done to ensure the proper use of trails throughout Whitehorse through the Whitehorse Trail Plan and other initiatives.

The meeting in Riverdale is among a number of town halls planned for neighbourhoods around the city.

Over the next week, it's expected a schedule will be set out for other areas as well and made available on the city's website.