BY NATHALIE GARA-BOIVIN
More often than not, people tend to write to
newspaper editors to complain about a certain situation or
experience they've had. Well, I'd like to start by giving my
congratulations to the City of Greater Sudbury.
I have recently returned from a month long
trip to Europe where I had the fortune of visiting many cities
including Helsinki, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Geneva and
Edinburgh. Each of these cosmopolitan cities had some form of
bicycle lanes on road ways in the beautiful, busily bustling
downtown areas.
Some of the most interesting sights were
seeing people cycling on old cobble stone roads, and in
Holland, viewing women cycling with their children - one in a
bicycle chair in front by the handle bars and the other at the
back of the bicycle - making their way around Amsterdam.
All of this amplified my motivation to use my
bicycle as often as possible here in Sudbury. I was delighted
to see Sudbury's first and only bicycle lane on Howey Drive to
Bellevue and Bancroft.
I decided to strap on my helmet and give some
pedal power action a go. And Voila! It was a wonderful ride
because the bicycle lane is clearly marked on either side with
fresh white paint and great signage indicating where the
bicycle lane starts and ends.
You may wonder why someone could get so
excited about a bicycle lane?
Well, it might only seem to be an
insignificant bike lane to some people, but this is very
symbolic for cycling enthusiasts and those who want the option
of alternative transportation. It is the beginning of
reclaiming the streets for cycling activities and giving
cyclist a safe place to cycle. It gives cyclists a place in a
city that is not congested with pick up trucks, SUVs and
cars.
In Sudbury, like many other North American
cities, planning is car-centered and car focused. Where else in
the world would people use two litres of gas to buy one litre
of milk? People in Europe do not have this luxury to do the
same as they are paying almost 2$ a litre for fuel.
Recently, leaders in our community and others
across North America are moving forward with environmentally
and people-focused planning, like this bike lane.
I would like to thank the Minnow Lake
Restoration Group and Community Action Network, Rainbow Routes,
the former advisory panel of the City of Greater Sudbury, and
the many volunteers for being advocates for cycling and making
this bicycle lane a reality.
The best part of cycling the Bancroft bicycle
lane is the fact that the road takes me right to Moonlight
Beach Rd. I was able to reward myself and cool off by jumping
into refreshing Ramsey Lake. By that time I felt I had earned
my swim.
Now I have a challenge for all of you: the
next time you mindlessly hop into your car to go buy a bag of
milk or loaf of bread at the corner store, why not use a
bicycle instead. You'll find it much more enjoyable, better for
your health and you'll be doing something good for our local
air quality.
I would encourage you to contact the City of
Greater Sudbury's newly formed Bicycle Advisory Panel in order
to get your say as to where future bicycle lanes should
be.
Happy and safe cycling!
Nathalie Gara-Boivin, Cycling enthusiast and co-ordinator
of the Sudbury Basin Environmental Networking Initiative.