Ward 15 - Kitchissippi

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Website: http://katherinehobbs.ca
Phone: 613-263-0069

I am a cyclist, and a member of Citizens for Safe Cycling.I fully support all the goals and initiatives of CfSC, and if elected to City Council I will fight for an appropriate infrastructure for cyclists to ensure safe and speedy passage throughout the city.

There is a pilot project starting along Richmond Road to integrate cyclists with vehicular traffic in the outer lanes. This Richmond Road/Westboro Transportation Management  Implementation Plan will be a good start for cycling commuters. Currently the NCC pathway does not serve faster cyclists, and a separate corridor is required that also provides a safe bike route into the downtown.But much more needs to be done in the City. I am also interested in ensuring the success of the NCC initiative for a BIXI-like bike rental system in the downtown core, similar to Montreal. I feel it would help remove a number of cars from the roads and make it safer for people to cycle to do their errands. The NCC are looking for an entrepreneur to run that program.Earlier this year I attended a presentation by Kaj Mook, the director of a Dutch bike share program that integrates cycling with public transport at City Council chambers. It was incredible to listen to the statistics. The population of the Netherlands is 16M; the number of bikes in the country is 18M. Montreal  does it. The Netherlands do it. So why not Ottawa?

Speaking of Montreal,it recently hosted a bike race featuring the Tour de France teams. I would like to work towards seeing Ottawa host a world-class cycling race. What an economic boon a race of this stature could be. It would help draw attention to Ottawa as a cycling  capital and help with all our other initiatives.

There are also other issues in the downtown core for cyclists. Some very easy that could be put in place without too much difficulty. A good example is the Sparks Street Mall -- it currently does not allow cyclists.I would like to see a dedicated bike lane on the mall to help residents move around the City and do their shopping without always having to navigate streets clogged with delivery trucks, couriers, cars and buses. The LRT tunnel will also be a benefit to freeing the surface of the amount of buses that cyclists must deal with today.In my Smart Car I have difficulty negotiating down the bus highway, let alone cycling within the buses.

For Bike to Work week I wrote a blog on bicycle safety and the need for segregated lanes  that was published at Perspectives.

Cycling is a big part of our culture in the Ward - in fact a number of people in my Sunday  running club cycle down to the meet point on Sunday morning. They get in twice the  exercise, have an even healthier lifestyle and avoid adding to traffic and parking congestion on Wellington.We are fortunate that Kitchissippi is home to a number of top-notch cycling  shops on Richmond and Wellington.Personally I am thrilled to be able to shop for bikes and gear right without having to leave the neighbourhood. That reminds me -- I have toget my bike in for a tune-up!

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Website: http://christineleadman.com/

From the beginning of my term I have been a strong supporter of cycling initiatives in the city. I have hosted two cycling seminars at City Hall for cyclists, staff and Councillors. It presented two different cities and the incredible progress made in advancing cycling in their cities. The clear message was if there is the political will it can be done.

I have worked with the local cycling organizations to work at adopting pro-cycling facilities in the ward with the first Bike Box going in at Churchill and Richmond Road which is currently under construction. Initiated the addition of the Hampton Park pathway to the Cycling Plan.

As Vice-Chair of Transportation Committee, was instrumental in working to obtain the highest investment in cycling/pedestrian facilities for 2010 - $16M dollars.

Engaging staff and developers to incorporate secure cycling facilities not only for residents of the building but for visitors as well.

Support the East-West cycle plan.

Support the inclusion of cycle facilities in conjunction with transit.

Carling Avenue infrastructure scheduled for 2011-2012 to include cycling lanes.

Lobbied and supported for cycling to be moved from "Strategic Initiatives" to a true line item in the budget.

Meetings with the NCC to lobby for support for extending cycle pathways in partnership with the City.

Recommended the Top Ten Cycling problems for stimulus funding consideration.

The Cycle Plan must be considered as a major infrastructure project to be funded appropriately.

Safer cycling facilities are essential to promote a higher transit modal split.

Overall cycling must become part of our everyday vernacular when we speak about roads and transit. It is no longer a "nice to have" feature but a cost
saving investment for city taxpayers.

It is short term thinking not to fund this infrastructure when there are so many savings to be gained and at the same time have a healthier, more sustainable city. There is often talk of a "vision" in having a world class city and short sightedness often gets in the way. We need to take bold steps if we are ever to reach that goal.

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Website: http://www.votedanielstringer.ca/
Phone: 613-680-4134

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