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Website: http://dianeholmes2010.com
Phone: 613-230-1648

I've been working closely with the cycling community for many years to get better cycling facilities across the city. I continue to be a strong supporter of the City increasing the budget and staffing of the cycling department and to maintain its cycling promotion and education programs.

I voted in favour of the cycling plan when it came to council and for continued funding at subsequent budget presentations. I've been pleased to support cycling initiatives and motions such as the most recent to increase cycling funding in the 2011 budget.

I was instrumental in the building of the Corktown Footbridge, the Somerset Street pedestrian/cycling bridge over the canal. The success of this award-winning bridge has led the way for the additional cycling/pedestrian bridges across the canal and Rideau River.

I am concerned about the potential loss of bicycle parking when parking meters are removed this fall due to the pay and display parking program, and I support the expansion of Rack & Roll service, which I helped to establish at the RMOC.

Specifically in Somerset Ward, where the modal share for cycling already exceeds the 2020 goals of the Ottawa Cycling Plan, I have just given approval to staff to install bike lanes on Lyon Street. This comes after consulting with residents in the area who were overwhelmingly in support of the project. Other projects include securing funding for a pathway along the O-Train corridor, bike lanes and sharrows on the Somerset Street Bridge over the O-Train, a bike box project and a segregated bike lane across downtown in a location that is suitable for residents and businesses alike.

The Albert/Slater corridor will provide for opportunities to entirely repurpose the street when the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel is built. I look forward to working on improving these streets as cycling and pedestrian friendly corridors.

City staff have been undertaking a survey, including the information provided through ottawabikingproblems.ca, to identify and address problematic cycling locations. I was pleased to circulate it to interested residents for feedback, and look forward to working with staff to remedy the problems. Additionally, cyclists are in a position to notice areas that need asphalt patching or repairing. Cyclists can send specific pothole/crack locations into the city identifying problematic conditions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for repair. This will both raise the profile of cyclists' needs, and improve cycling conditions.

Cyclists are demanding more funding, facilities and services. It is very helpful to have outspoken cyclists speaking at Committee meetings and writing letters to Council and the media. I am excited to continue to work with cyclists at improving our City.