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Cyclists Union: Some pretty cool developments coming to city’s biking infrastructure

Six Greater Sudbury streets to get new cycling amenities this year
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Sudbury Cyclists Union chair Rachelle Niemela discusses cycling with a young rider in this 2015 file photo. Niemela says in a column for Sudbury.com that there’s much to be excited about in terms of new cycling infrastructure in Greater Sudbury. (File)

The excitement was palpable the night of April 4 at the Sudbury Cyclists Union annual general meeting, where over 45 people packed the room to hear about moving cycling forward in our community.  

Greater Sudbury’s new Active Transportation co-ordinator Marisa Talarico was the guest speaker for the evening, and cyclists eagerly listened to plans for cycling enhancements in our city. 

Talarico, who has a masters in urban and regional planning and who previously worked for York Region on transportation policies and strategic initiatives, became Greater Sudbury’s first Active Transportation co-ordinator in December, 2016. Her role is to work on initiatives that help make our city more pedestrian and bike friendly. 

Working in the Three Es of engineering, education and enforcement, Talarico explained that her focus for the first year is the engineering area and that the city is embarking on the biggest road construction year in its history, with the majority of these projects containing cycling infrastructure. 

She also explained how the city decides how cycling infrastructure options are selected and highlighted that the municipality will be seeking community input for several upcoming initiatives, including the Lasalle Corridor Study, the Transportation Demand Management Plan and the Transit Route Optimization Study. 

We were all excited to hear that cycling infrastructure will be built on parts of Westmount Avenue, Paris Street, Second Avenue, Lorne Street, Kelly Lake Road and MR 15. The city will also see its first crossride (like a crosswalk, but for bikes), and a bike box (a place at an intersection that allows cyclists to safely proceed first when the light turns green).

Since the Sudbury Cyclists Union formed in 2010, support for safe cycling has been growing steadily throughout Greater Sudbury. It was obvious from questions posed by the audience that people want safe cycling in their neighbourhoods, as well as connected routes.

The Sudbury Cyclists Union’s vision is city-wide safe cycling for all in Greater Sudbury. We are people who love to bike and who want to help build a better cycling culture and climate in our city. We are a voice for safe cycling for people of all ages and abilities throughout Greater Sudbury, and there is definitely positive change!

People bike for transportation, fitness or recreation, but whatever their reason to get out on their bike, there’s no question it’s a lot of fun!  Join us this year to connect with other cyclists and even learn some new skills.  

Here are some of the events that are coming up for cyclists in Greater Sudbury. 

An SCU spring kick-off noodle ride and social at the end of April. Thursday evening SCU group rides start May 4. The City of Greater Sudbury cycling courses start early May. An SCU bike maintenance workshop will be offered and bike valet parking available at Maker Fest on May 6. This year’s Commuter Challenge Week runs June 4-10. Bike valet parking will be offered at the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on June 3. The cyclists union hosts a kids bike exchange on June 10. And finally, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Ride Don’t Hide event will be held June 25. 

Upcoming events are posted on our website at SudburyCyclistsUnion.ca

Support our events and activities by getting or renewing your membership today! Annual memberships are $10, or pay as you can. Membership dues help us offer all our volunteer-led programming. 

You can join at SudburyCyclistsUnion.ca/join.

Want to be more involved? Get in touch! We could always use more help with our rides and other events, and it’s a blast. If you’re interested in helping to guide us through the exciting year ahead, we’re still looking for a few additional members on our new executive. Send us an email at [email protected] or phone the chair, me, Rachelle Niemela, at 705-805-0575.

There is a lot to look forward to when it comes to cycling in Greater Sudbury.  

See you on your bike!

Rachelle Niemela is the chair of the Sudbury Cyclists Union.


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