Active Transportation Niagara Network Focused Municipal Election Questions

Active Transportation Niagara Network is suggesting that voters ask candidates the following questions during the election campaign.

I've decided to post my answers here.

1. What streets are the least safe and accessible to those aged 8 to 80 for walking and cycling? What would you do to make them safer and more accessible?

To begin to name all of the streets that are unsafe for walkers and cyclists is difficult, as the list is so lengthy. Some obvious ones come to mind: Welland Avenue, Bunting Road, Grantham Avenue, Geneva Street, Lake Street, Glendale Avenue, Glenridge Avenue, Pelham Road, etc. There are others, of course.

I firmly believe that we need to open our city up to more accessible modes of transportation, whether residents are using them because they choose to (lifestyle, environment, etc.) or are forced to (financial, etc.).

With proper planning (having some foresight and being proactive), we can work towards are more accessible community. For some of the roads that require better accessibility, it's as simple as painting lines on the road, as they're already wide enough. For roads that are not currently wide enough, we need to be coming up with appropriate solutions in the meantime and when those roads come up for reconstruction projects.

We also need to work more effectively with the Region to ensure that these projects get done on their roads in our City.

2. What infrastructure changes to support walking and cycling as forms of transportation are needed in your community?

Cycling lanes, properly sloped curbs (that are also in good repair) at all intersections, ensuring access to parks along paths and in other areas, removing fencing or narrow gating, where it's not necessary to allow access; and ensuring that paved paths into parks don't suddenly end for those using assistive devices or with strollers.

3. In your role as Councillor / Mayor, how strongly would you prioritize principles of walkable and bikeable communities in the planning of new developments and changes to existing infrastructure?

This is a priority for me, along with being proactive about planning for what we know will come a few years later. We often know years in advance that a new project will be carried out in an area of the city. Somehow, though, we continue to do work on the roads in the area, etc. without taking that upcoming project into consideration, which leads us to undertake further and sometimes repetitive work on those roads that could have been done the first time around.

The Active Transporation Niagara Network believes these questions are important as they will allow candidates to show voters their commitment to designing neighbourhoods where people can walk or bike to many places. Being able to walk to school, work, stores, parks and restaurants is good for people, the environment and the economy. When people can walk more and rely on their cars less, communities become healthier and more vibrant places. Research shows that most car trips are short trips that can easily be walked or biked if there is infrastructure in place such as sidewalks or bike lanes. For more information about the importance of designing communities that make it easier for people to walk and cycle, visit www.iCANwalk.ca.