$2 Million in new cycling lanes gets first green light

For immediate release: Wednesday June 22, 1994

Residents who use bicycles for transportation in Ottawa-Carleton got a tailwind this afternoon, when the Regional Transportation Committee approved the construction of 48 kilometres of new cycling facilities. The dedicated cycling lanes, paved shoulders and paths will be constructed with funds received under the Canada Infrastructure program. They are the first part of a region-wide network of upgraded routes for cyclists.

"The Regional Transportation Department has finally shifted from neutral into first gear," said Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) president Brett Delmage. "The needs of cyclists have been ignored for decades. We're glad to finally see some money spent to make the 1000 km of existing regional roads more cyclist-friendly."

Approximately 80% of the proposed facilities will be comprised of dedicated bicycle lanes, created by paving shoulders or by painting lines on existing roads. Roads to be upgraded include parts of Prince of Wales Drive, Richmond Road, Lees Avenue, River Road, Moodie Drive, Old Innes Road and Innes Road, Bearbrook Road, Fallowfield Road, Fisher Avenue, and Coventry Road. The abandoned CPR rail line from Bells Corners to Bridlewood in Kanata will be paved for use by cyclists. It will be extended to Stittsville in the future.

The $2 million to be spent on bicycle facility improvements is small, however, compared to the $78.5 million to be spent on new road construction and other projects. However, the newly constructed roads will include paved shoulders or bicycle lanes, including St. Joseph Blvd. from the Queensway to Jeanne D'Arc, Hunt Club extension from Esson to Cahill and March Road from the Queensway to Solandt.

The Regional Cycling Network Plan, which has been worked on for the last 18 months, will incorporate these and many other planned improvements to the road system for cyclists, in addition to maintenance standards and other supportive policies. That report will come before Regional Transportation Committee for approval before the end of August.

Delmage expected that Regional Council would approve the $2 million of new cycling facilities. "One-half of residents ride bicycles and one-tenth of the trips made during the cycling season are by bicycles. Cycling is an important part of our transportation system for many people, and it helps reduce smog and destruction of neighbourhoods caused by too many cars."

Citizens for Safe Cycling is a membership-based, non-profit association that has lobbied for safer and more pleasant cycling facilities for residents since 1984.

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