Ward 13 - Rideau-Rockliffe

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Website: http://corryburke.ca
Phone: 613-744-5270

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to comment on the nine point platform developed by Citizens for Safe Cycling.  I feel very strongly about the necessity to provide the public with alternatives to vehicular commuting, whether that be via transit, bicycle, on foot, etc., and the efforts of the CfSC, and others, over the years have played a large role in doing just that.

I've lived in Ottawa my whole life and my bicycle has played an enormous role for me.  Obviously starting out as a child and just learning to love my bicycle and the joy it gave me, then later the freedom it provided in my youth, soon after, the sole source of commuting it became while I was at Carleton University and living in Nepean, and now, as an Ironman triathlon finisher on my beloved Cervelo, I say without hesitation I am a believer and supporter of the initiative to turn Ottawa into the "Cycling Capital".

I am aware of the difficulties encountered in Ottawa as well as other communities when trying to place a greater emphasis upon cycling as a significant mode of transportation.  Through work, I am lucky enough to travel frequently and see what other metropolitan cities have been able to achieve.  In New York City, there are "Greenways" provided right through the heart of Manhattan, down Broadway, for cyclists to make use of and separate them from vehicular traffic.  If a city the size and density of New York is capable of achieving such segregation, what is our excuse?  The creation of cycling corridors is fundamental to creating the network necessary to insure successful implementation.  The proposed Rideau River crossing at Donald Street, providing access to Somerset Street East on the other side and the Corkstown Bridge over the Rideau Canal.  The 417 pedestrian overpass currently in development at the train station and Coventry Road.  The City of Ottawa's pilot project for an east-west segregated bike lane scheduled to take flight in 2011.  All of these components combined can have a substantial impact on the initiative's success, and it is significant that all of them are being studied and proposed at the same time.  There will never be a better time to move forward with this project.

With three young children I have been fortunate to witness their developing love of bicycle riding - from being towed in their bicycle trailer to taking the training wheels off of their Sesame Street-themed bikes - and I look forward to seeing this city and all of its residents developing that same love.  It starts with making cycling a priority.

In Rideau-Rockcliffe, we are dominated by cars.  I believe that extending the city's segregated bike lane pilot project to incorporate the Donald Street corridor (later augmented by the Rideau River span) would play a significant role in expanding the opportunities for bicycle commuting to our ward.  In addition, when scheduled roadwork takes place, piggybacking the introduction of visible painted bike lanes on all major roadways should be a priority.  Providing safe, visible, and well maintained routes for our community will kickstart adoption of new behaviours that benefit us all in many ways.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide input into a significantly worthwhile debate.

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Website: www.vote-cannings.com
Phone: 613-795-8416

I support protected bike paths in the downtown area. The bridge for cyclists and pedestrians sounds like a good concept. If we want to progress as a city, a metropolis, a capital, a society, we need to pay attention to more innovative means other cities are using to promote greener and less intrusive ways of getting around than just cars.

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Website: http://peterdclark.ca

Thanks, will be supporting improvements to the network, including a bridge over the rideau.

Website: www.voteharleycollison.ca

"This is  point number eight from my website platform: 8. We need to make biking to and from work and school when weather permits a priority, including the building of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Rideau River at the end of Donald Street to join with Somerset Street East. As well, where there is a strip of asphalt between the curb and the sidewalk, we need to make this bicycle friendly.

We need to take cyclists seriously and at all times make sure they are protected and compliment their efforts to our environment."

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Website: http://rawlsonking.com
Phone: 613-868-1860

"Rawlson King, running for Ottawa City Council in Ward 13, Rideau-Rockcliffe, supports safe cycling in the City of Ottawa and fully endorses the recommendations made by Citizens for Safe Cycling.

In particular, I fully support an acceleration of the development of bicycle lane infrastructure, as proposed under the current Ottawa Cycling Plan. I believe we need to specifically link the existing City-wide biking network, especially within the greenbelt and other parkland, with a completed network of bike lanes on city streets that are physically separated from motor traffic to enhance the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of the network. Further, we need to assess certain bike corridors in relation to other road traffic to ensure the safety of cyclists.

I also believe we need to introduce bike boxes within highly trafficked cycling corridors. A bike box is a term that has gained popularity in the United States for a European treatment usually known as the advanced stop bar. The box is a right-angle extension to a bike lane at the head of the intersection. The box allows cyclists to get to the head of the traffic queue on a red traffic signal indication and then proceed first when the traffic signal changes to green. Such movement is beneficial to cyclists and eliminates conflicts when, for example, there are many right-turning motor vehicles next to a right-side bike lane. Being in the box, and thus at the front of the traffic queue, also tends to make cyclists more visible to motorists.

In the long term however, I support instituting a “complete streets policy” for key new main arterial roads to ensure that Ottawa’s transportation planners and engineers begin to design and operate entire roadways with all users in mind, including: bicyclists, transit vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Rawlson King's policy positions and outlook on cycling in the City of Ottawa is available at http://www.rawlsonking.com/index.php/2010/07/28/ottawa-needs-more-safe-cycling/ "

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Phone: 613-748-7827

Having read your nine point platform, I couldn't agree more with the underlying premise which is that safety is the primary issue that should motivate us to improve the city's cycling infrastructure. I support your platform and, furthermore, as councillor, I will establish clear lines of communications with your organization in order to make sure that council has a vision of cycling which truly responds to the needs of cyclists.

I believe this includes a new cyclist bridge at Donald St and the overpass at the Baseball Stadium. However, in our ward., there are many other hot spots which need to be resolved. The Hemlock-Beechwood area is a good example of vehicle/bicycle interaction gone bad. Many people have told me that they would  rather not travel by bicycle for safety reasons. Having cycling become a more viable option will only benefit our environment, our traffic problems and public  health.

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Phone: 613-746-4379

No response yet received.

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Phone: 613-842-0759 or 613-296-7432 (Cell)

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Website: http://sheilaperry.ca
Phone: 613-407-7434

No response yet received.

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Website: http://brucepoulin.ca
Phone: 613-620-0595

"Briefly, as a bilingual resident in the ward with 25 years of commitment to my community, I have always fought for the values we share regarding an environmentally sustainable city where no community is left behind: Specifically, there is my ongoing commitment to reducing traffic congestion by supporting the LRT and moving heavy trucks out of residential areas.

I also support the city-wide biking network, more sidewalks, the pedestrian overpass from Donald Street to Somerset East Street and the rent-a-bike concept similar to that found in Montréal and Toronto."