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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.