(Our fabulous friends at the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society alerted us that this issue was coming up - join them if you're interested in cycling infrastructure, if you want to learn how to maintain your bike, or if you need a cotter pin to fix the loose pedal on your old beater.)
Dear Mayor Mandel and City of Edmonton Councillors,
The Transportation and Public Works Committee is voting on the Active Transportation Strategy tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, November 17th). We have read the report at http://www.facebook.com/l/
The Transportation and Public Works Committee is voting on the Active Transportation Strategy tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, November 17th). We have read the report at http://www.facebook.com/l/
We formed Edmontonians Supporting A Green Economy (E-SAGE, www.e-sage.ca) two years ago with the goals of supporting the development of a vibrant local living economy and providing the resources Edmontonians need to take the 'next step' in making their lifestyle more sustainable. We do this through our informative newsletter (now distributed to over 1200 members), hosting of networking events and educational workshops, participation in local festivals, and creation of the Shop Local Guide (www.shoplocalguide.ca), in addition to our collaborations with other local community groups.
We appreciate that the City of Edmonton is working hard to craft policies that support a more sustainable future for its citizens. However, we worry that in limiting the immediate funding for the creation of cycling infrastructure - and combining it with the funding for pedestrian infrastructure - that the City may miss a golden opportunity to capitalize on a boom of interest in commuter cycling by making it easier and safer. Making it safer to cycle in this city will result in fewer accidents (both bicycle-auto and bicycle-pedestrian), and will encourage more people to use their bicycles. More people cycling to work, or combining cycling with public transit use, would translate into less vehicle traffic and more parking in congested areas like Downtown and Old Strathcona. It would reduce requirements for road repairs and road widening, and subsequently save the city money in the transportation budget. It would help the city meet its goals for reducing its carbon footprint, along with other environmental and public-health benefits. Making it possible for families to do without their cars, or for two-car families to make do with only one, would provide them with additional disposable income that would be spent in our community, stimulating the local economy.
Relative to the costs of maintaining and servicing an ever-expanding network of roads, a one-time investment in creating cycling infrastructure is a bargain. We suggest that deferring some of the projects planned for roadway expansion outside the Anthony Henday ring road system would be an appropriate way to find the funds to speed up creation of on-road bicycle lanes, separate cycling paths, bicycle parking, and public transit solutions for cyclists, without jeopardizing much-needed funds for revitalization of Edmonton's older neighborhoods.
For more information about the benefits to cities of increasing cycling infrastructure, we invite you to read the following articles:
The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments (a point-form summary on EcoVelo of a policy research report by The League of American Cyclists): http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/
How To Get More Bicyclists On The Road, an article from Scientific American:
Bucking The Cycle (an article from the Los Angeles Business Journal about the connection between cyclists and shoppers at local businesses): http://bicyclefixation.com/
Thank you for your efforts to make Edmonton a greener, more sustainable city.
Locally yours,
Tad Hargrave, founder
Deborah Merriam, volunteer community organizer
Terra Fleenor, volunteer community organizer
Edmontonians Supporting A Green Economy (E-SAGE)
Tad Hargrave, founder
Deborah Merriam, volunteer community organizer
Terra Fleenor, volunteer community organizer
Edmontonians Supporting A Green Economy (E-SAGE)
