OTTAWA, October 20, 2010 - Cycling has emerged as an important issue in the 2010 Ottawa municipal election, thanks in part to several educational initiatives launched by Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC).

"We're thrilled to see candidates and voters taking cycling seriously in this campaign," says Hans Moor, President of CfSC. "We've witnessed a sea change. Cycling and CfSC were mentioned in many debates, and a remarkable number of voters approached us for guidance in choosing which candidate to support."

CfSC developed an election "platform" listing nine practical proposals which could make a critical difference in making Ottawa a more bike-friendly city. These include investment in bridges and other cycling connections, converting parking meters to bike parking, more reliable Rack&Roll service, safe detours during road construction, reinstatement of cycling safety programs, and more. Hundreds of pamphlets outlining the platform were distributed at debates, directly to candidates, and to local cyclists so they could educate and question candidates about these issues.

Many candidates responded favourably. Several candidates, such as Bob Brocklebank in Capital Ward and Rawlson King in Rideau-Rockliffe, said they supported the proposals. Others responded individually to each section, with their own ideas and thoughtful responses. Incumbent councillors like Diane Holmes, Christine Leadman, and Rainer Bloess, talked about their record of support for cycling.  Mayoral hopeful Jim Watson's cycling platform, released on Oct. 13, emphasizes many of the same priorities as the CfSC pamphlet.

CfSC asked all candidates for mayor and for city council to comment on the platform and to share their views on cycling problems and solutions. Of the 132 candidates contacted by email, 52 replied to the survey. Their names are listed below, and their responses are posted online at www.safecycling.ca/elect2010. CfSC is continuing to urge candidates to send in their responses.

We also invited candidates to tour their ward with a CfSC representative – by bike, of course – in order to experience local cycling facilities and problems spots firsthand. While a few candidates expressed interest, one followed through: David Chernushenko in Capital Ward.

Mayoral and City Council Candidates who responded to the CfSC survey

Mayor: Cesar Bello, Clive Doucet, Joseph Furtenbacher, Robert G. Gauthier, Andrew Haydon, Fraser Liscumb, Michael St. Arnaud, Jane Scharf, Charlie Taylor, Jim Watson

Ward 1 - Orleans: Bob Monette, Jennifer Robitaille

Ward 2 - Innes: Rainer Bloess, Roger Furmanczyk, Keith Jansa

Ward 3 - Barrhaven: Rustin Hollywood

Ward 4 - Kanata North: Jeff Seeton, Lili Weemen

Ward 5 - West Carleton-March: Eli El-Chantiry

Ward 6 - Stittsville: Richard Eveleigh

Ward 7 - Bay: Alex Cullen, Shawn Little

Ward 8 - College: Ralph Anderson, Lynn Hamilton, Craig MacAulay, Julia Ringma

Ward 9 - Knoxdale-Merivale: Keith Egli, Mike Kennedy, James O'Grady, Rod Vanier

Ward 10 - Gloucester-Southgate: Diane Deans. Leslie Saintilma

Ward 11 - Beacon Hill-Cyrville: O'Neil Brooke

Ward 12 - Rideau-Vanier: Georges Bedard, Mathieu Fleury, Sriyan Pinnawala

Ward 13 - Rideau-Rockliffe: Corry Burke, Richard Cannings, Peter D. Clark, Harley Collison, Rawlson King, Maurice Lamirande, Bruce Poulin

Ward 14 - Somerset: Don Fex, Diane Holmes, Susan Miller

Ward 15 - Kithchissippi: Katherine Hobbs, Christine Leadman

Ward 16 - River: Ian Boyd, Michael Kostiuk, Maria McRae, Nadia Willard

Ward 17 - Capital: Bob Brocklebank, David Chernushenko, Eugene Haslam, Ron Le Blanc, Isabel Metcalfe

Ward 18 - Alta Vista: None

Ward 19 - Cumberland: Patrick Paquette

Ward 20 - Osgoode: Doug Thompson

Ward 21 - Rideau-Goulbourn: None

Ward 22 - Gloucester-South Nepean: Stephen Knight

Ward 23 - Kanata South: Aaron Helleman, Michel Tardif

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