The recent announcement of new infrastructure for people walking, biking and rolling on Orleans and Jeanne D’Arc boulevards is welcome news. And it has taught us one thing. Despite Bill 60 and the Ontario government prohibiting new cycling infrastructure at the expense of moving car lanes, where there’s a will and a budget there’s a way. In this case, it took funding from the Active Transportation Fund to bring this project back to life (thank you Vélo Canada Bikes for your advocacy with the federal government!) and then some.
There’s no denying people on bikes have been the targets of a culture war (at 38:00) the last few years. For Ottawa, it started at the last municipal election and went on when the Ford government picked up the torch with bills 212, 56 and 60.
Let’s be clear. The Ford government won its appeal to Cycle Toronto’s successful court challenge not on the heart of the matter (the right to cycle safely on our roads) but on the right to “accept some, all or none of the advice” it receives from experts regardless of the outcome, even if it puts peoples’ lives at risk. Goodbye evidence and data-based decision making.
In essence, the Ontario government has turned our safety into a war on bikes. It’s all about setting its own narrative to score cheap political points. Except we’re talking about people here. People trying to get around safely on their bikes.
Bike Ottawa fully supports Cycle Toronto’s continued fight against the Ontario government. Ripping out bike lanes will do nothing but lead to unsafe conditions and wasteful spending. Not to mention putting more cars on our roads and achieving the opposite of the government stated objective of decreasing congestion.
Here in Ottawa there’s a lot the City can still do to give people safe, reliable active transportation options (in conjunction with public transit). For example it can:
- Turn all painted bike lanes into protected lanes: quick curbs, pin curbs or curbs poured into the asphalt (the City is looking into this home made solution). This would go a long way to building a true (ie connected) cycling network.
- Use the city’s right of way to build protected bike lanes or cycle tracks next to sidewalks. Often times, in built areas outside the core, there’s a wide grassy median between the sidewalks and the road — a perfect opportunity to build protected cycling infrastructure just like what will happen on Orleans and Jeanne d’Arc boulevards.
- Build permanent speed mitigation solutions. Narrowing our streets will slow down motorized traffic and make it safer for people outside of cars.
- Add modal filters so we can have quieter streets that will benefit everyone. Bulb outs for example where only people walking, biking and rolling can go through.
- And remember. “The truth about a city’s aspirations isn’t found in its vision. It’s found in its budget.” (Brent Todarian)
With the lists of candidates known, now is the time to check where all of them stand with regard to safe cycling and active mobility at large. Bike Ottawa’s sent ward and mayoral candidates a list of questions to get their stance on cycling and transportation matters and help people make informed decisions before the municipal election. We’ll publish their answers around mid-September.
For the time being, feel free to email mayoral candidates and your ward candidates to let them know your views regarding safe cycling infrastructure in your ward and beyond. Ask them to answer Bike Ottawa’s list of questions. Go to debates and ask questions there. You know your ward/neighbourhood best. Ask them if elected what they intend to do so you can get around by bike safely. Your voice matters. Use it!