City Council's 2015-2018 Capital Budget currently has $0 allocated to active transportation. $0 for downtown bike routes. $0 for the next four years. What can you build with that much money?

 

1. You can build 0 meters of shared-use paths.

You didn't need to go anywhere, did you?

Active Transportation, currently unfunded in the budget, includes building shared-use paths (also known as multi-use trails), installing curb ramps requested by citizens, connecting isolated bus pads to sidewalks, maintenance of river valley stairs, and installing bike racks.

2. You can fulfill 0 requests for curb ramps and sidewalk connections to bus pads.

Roads are just wide sidewalks. It's true.

3. You can maintain 0 river valley staircases.

That's what the handrails are for.

4. You can install 0 bicycle racks.

Every business's dream.

5. You can build 0 km of high-quality priority bike infrastructure.

Projects not funded include: a protected, separated cycle track on 102 Avenue and bikeways along 100 Ave, 104 St, and 107 St downtown, as well as 51 Ave and 119 Ave bikeways.

The only project that is currently funded is the 83 Avenue bikeway, with $2.2 million in growth spending allocated.

Please, this time is critical for you to engage as a citizen. Council is debating the capital budget today, and will be making its decisions in early December. There's no time to wait: please write a short, polite letter to your councillor. Even if you know that your councillor already supports funding active transportation and cycling infrastructure: they need to hear from you to support their position in these discussions.

You can write something as simple as:

Dear Councillor,

My name is ⋯. I live in the ⋯ neighbourhood, and depending on my needs for any given trip, I might drive, take transit, walk or ride a bike.

Though I don't always ride a bike, I do strongly support investing in high-quality, cycling infrastructure. It is a priority for the health and safety of myself and my family, and should be a priority for this city, for its livability and its future.

I also support investing in active transportation, including building shared-use pathways, curb ramps and sidewalks. The active transportation program is essential to creating an accessible, equitable city, enabling people of all ages and abilities to actively pursue and participate in the spirit of this city.

Please fund bikeways and active transportation in the 2015-2018 Capital Budget.

Sincerely,

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