Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) promotes cycling as fun, healthy, safe, economical, and environmentally-friendly transportation and recreation. We've been helping cyclists in the Ottawa area improve their cycling skills and their cycling environment for 25 years, from 1984 to 2009. We welcome your participation!
The following letter was sent by CfSC to the Board of Directors of the National Capital Commission. CfSC President Zlatko Krstulich made a presentation on this issue to the NCC Board on November 18:
November 12, 2009
Re: Cycling Facilities Planning Project for Confederation Blvd
Cyclists face major challenges on Confederation Blvd; it's neither a safe nor comfortable place to cycle. We would like to propose the NCC initiate a comprehensive planning study to evaluate possible solutions to improve cycling for the 'main loop' of Confederation blvd.
Although some of the remedies may take time to implement, other elements can proceed relatively quickly. Such a study could be similar in nature to the "Rideau/Sussex/Col.By" node study presently underway- and be very timely given the Ottawa Cycling Plan downtown study taking place in 2010, and also the desire to expand the 'bike share' project.
CfSC has provided cycling-related advice for many planning studies at the NCC, and is aware of the current work being done to improve elements of confederation blvd. We appreciate the careful approach the NCC takes with its planning process, and are convinced that viable solutions can be found to improve even the most difficult elements encountered by cyclists on confederation blvd.
Without a specific study based on the perspective of a cyclist travelling all the way around the Boulevard, we can expect only ad-hoc solutions applied if and when other projects on Confederation Boulevard allow for it. We believe he proposed study is the best way to bring ideas and potential solutions forward to improve cycling safety, given the complexity resulting from the many roles Confederation Boulevard must fulfill.
Let's welcome cyclists back onto Canada's main street
With Regards,
Zlatko Krstulich,
President, Citizens for Safe Cycling
cc: J.F. Trépanier- NCC Executive Vice President of Operations,
City Centre Coalition,
vrtQ
CfSC sent the following letter to Mayor Larry O'Brien and members of City Council on November 13, 2009:
We are now seeing a welcome change in thinking about the role that cycling can play throughout Ottawa, with an approved master plan for cycling, increased public awareness of cycling issues, concern for cyclist safety, and a greater number of cyclists visible on our roads and pathways (for example, over 180,000 cyclists have crossed the Alexandra bridge alone since June of this year).
The recent inclusion of $16.7M within the preliminary budget for the 2010 cycling plan implementation by the Transportation Committee is a key breakthrough toward increasing active transportation in Ottawa. Citizens for Safe Cycling (“CfSC”) wishes to commend and support the Transportation Committee, chair M. McRae and vice-chair C. Leadman for sending such a clear message in this first step of the budget process.
Read more: Cycling in the 2010 City of Ottawa Budget: Arguing for Transformational Change