Last year, the city undertook numerous road reconstruction projects, but in the process, they did not provide adequate infrastructure for cyclists.
A number of people voiced their discontent at that time. Every other week, you read horror stories from cyclists, or simply people writing about lost opportunities. This year, the city is undertaking the reconstruction of Regent Street (from Bouchard to Telstar) and has, once again, decided not to provide cycling lanes. Walking conditions will also be downgraded, as asphalt boulevards will be reduced in all areas (meaning closer interactions between pedestrians and vehicles).
This road is an important arterial road for cyclists and pedestrians alike to access other parts of the city, as well as numerous small businesses and restaurants.
With opportunities for major reconstruction projects like this only occurring every 15 years or more, we can’t allow the city to forego the inclusion of bicycle lanes yet again.
There are simply too many advantages to cycling, and with time, we are bound to see an increasing number of cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. Cars are becoming more expensive to drive, roads are getting congested, the newer generations enjoy cycling and people want to keep healthy.
There are many other reasons why people will be opting to leave their cars at home in favour of alternative means of transportation.
Parking is often scarce and costly. Governments, municipalities, hospitals and numerous organizations are all advocating active living.
Throughout Ontario, many communities are making investments in alternative transportation infrastructure.
Bike lanes have proven to be a viable alternative that we should all want. For motorists, bike lanes will help reduce congestion and provide more comfort for interactions between motorists and cyclists.
For cyclists, bike lanes will provide safe and enjoyable routes to get around. For pedestrians, with safe bike infrastructure located on the street, cyclists will be more inclined to abandon the illegal, but safer practice of cycling on sidewalks. For taxpayers, the creation of bike lanes at the time of major road repairs represents an ideal opportunity to save taxpayers’ money.
It is also our understanding that the new Regent Street will have outside lanes which measure over four metres wide. It would require very little extra dollars to include cycling infrastructure, such as a designated lane.
We must let the city know that the time has come to seriously consider the comprehensive transportation needs of all Sudburians, in a manner which is economically feasible.
If this is important to you, please write to your councillor and to the mayor. It is time to act now and to have our say. Change needs to happen, and as with all worthwhile causes, we need united voices.
We can’t simply build for the present; we must build for the future.
To introduce the writers of this letter, the Sudbury Cyclists Union was conceived earlier this summer to be an advocacy organization for cyclists in Greater Sudbury. With more than 250 members, we are building the Sudbury Cyclists Union to be membership-driven organization and advocating for the creation of a better cycling culture in Sudbury.
Hence, the Sudbury Cyclists Union is “turning wheels to better and safer cycling” in Greater Sudbury.
Sudbury Cyclists Union
Greater Sudbury