The Share the Road Cycling Coalition has responded with a detailed, two-page letter to St. Catharines council after council voted to remove recently-installed bicycle lanes so that there won't be traffic jams of shoppers turning into the local Canadian Tire.
This decision by council to yank these lanes (a decision which will cost them $65,000 -- see latest story) has really stirred up a storm, and I give full points for Eleanor McMahon for giving the council both barrels . . . diplomatically, of course.
Here are some excerpts:
"While our work is provincial in scope, we have undertaken international research, particularly in the United States in Europe, where we have visited and studied a number of bicycle friendly jurisdictions including, to name a few, Madison, Wisc.; Chicago, Ill. and Apeldoorn, Holland."You might ask, what do these cities have in common? They share an approach which features cycling as a mainstream mode of transportation where cycling is encouraged as a part of daily life. And they are but a few of a growing number of cities worldwide which have realized that creating bikeable, walkable communities is central to creating active and healthy communities and contributing to an enhanced quality of life for their citizens.
"Indeed, research demonstrates that cycling is actually a net benefit, and contributes to tackling some of the most pernicious problems facing our society – climate change, obesity, traffic congestion . . .
"More recently the Share the Road Cycling Coalition has been asked to partner with Green Communities Canada to deliver a cycling component as part of the Active and Safe Routes to School program currently planned for a number of Niagara Region municipalities including St. Catharines. This is, no doubt, part of a longer term laudable strategy to reduce obesity rates. As you may know, according to the Statistics Canada Health Report (Vol. 17, No. 3, August 2006), St. Catharines has one of the highest obesity rates in Canada amongst adults aged 18 or over at 69.3% -- and much higher than the Canadian average of 59%.
"Reducing the ability of your citizens to choose to walk or ride their bike stands in contrast to your participation in initiatives like Active and Safe Routes to School. Indeed it is puzzling, given these other policy and program initiatives and could indeed, contribute to worsening health outcomes. Cycling infrastructure is a key component to a healthy transportation strategy and while we applaud the City’s efforts to encourage cycling in children, we are concerned at the possible negative impacts of removing bike lines and cancelling the provision of sidewalks . . .
"Further with the recent announcement that Toronto has been awarded the Pan American games, we would also ask that you consider how making your community less walkable and bikeable stands in contrast to the values of this global sporting event. In short, what kind of community do you want St. Catharines to be? One where the health and well being of your citizens flourishes in the context of a choice of transportation mode and where healthy choices are encouraged or one where the only choices do not involve enhanced physical activity and indeed increase car dependency . . .
"Your Worship, Members of City Council, the time is now to be ambitious, to show political courage, to create a vision for a healthy, active community. By your actions you can and must make a difference."
Now, will the St. Catharines council have the smarts to rethink their flip-flop? They could set an example for municipal councils everywhere.
Hey Bill, thanks a million for covering this issue for us St Catharines cyclists.
Unfortunately the lane removal will go on.
http://stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2168646
Posted by: Ryan | November 11, 2009 at 05:16 PM