Ecology Ottawa Condemns Ford Cycling Decision
This is a release from Ecology Ottawa:
Last week the provincial government introduced legislation that would require municipalities to seek provincial approval before installing new bike lanes on major roads. If passed, this would significantly restrict local decision-making, adding unnecessary red tape and delaying essential transportation projects that improve road safety, reduce congestion, and support climate action.
With our partners at the Urban Climate Alliance, we released a statement calling on MPP’s to oppose this serious overreach into municipalities. Ottawa’s Official Plan commits to sustainable transportation and we know that proper bike facilities are integral to achieving this necessary shift.
The need for safe bike lanes has been made all too clear from the multiple tragic fatal accidents that our city has seen this fall. Although the City has plans for ambitious biking infrastructure projects that would contribute to safer cycling, many of them would be prevented by this legislation. Existing infrastructure is also under threat, with the Ford government reviewing the bike lane that runs along O’Connor Street.
We must ensure that Ottawa retains the power to create safe, sustainable transportation solutions that benefit everyone. Help us urge the Ontario government to rethink this dangerous proposal that would block Ottawa’s ability to make the best decisions for our city’s future. Contact your local elected officials and let them know that you oppose this legislation, and come out to Confederation Park this Saturday, October 26 for Rally and Ride for Road Safety.
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Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Another group of whiners heard from. What is missing from this missive (and all the rest) are alternate solutions. So how about this as an alternative. Bicycles using the roadways drive in the right-most lane in traffic, yellow lane dividers between the rightmost lanes and the lane to the left are moved 6 inches to the left, and all cyclists who want to use the roadways must pass a provincial competency test designed by the Ministry of Transportation before they are allowed on any road. Automobile drivers must pass a series of tests before they are allowed on the road, cyclists should be required to do the same. So, there’s one possible solution. If you can think of something better I’m sure everyone would love to hear it. But please, no more complaining.
The other day as I was out for a walk, I came to a residential intersection and saw a father with two young sons on skateboards. As they approached the intersection, the father told the boys to look both ways. They turned left at the intersection and the father led them to the right side of the street with their backs to traffic. As I thought about it, he also also on the right side of the street with their backs to traffic when they approached the intersection. I then saw a mother wheeling a bike (not riding) with a children’s seat in the back and a toddler in the seat. The mother was also walking with her back to traffic and well out into the lane. Perhaps it is also time that pedestrians also had to pass a test before they are allowed to walk on roads without sidewalks.