Bikes vs. cars debate ignites municipal campaign
Coun. Catherine McKenney’s plan to spend big on cycling if elected mayor has jolted Ottawa’s mayoral campaign out of a late summer slumber.
McKenney’s pledge to borrow and spend a quarter of a billion dollars over four years just on cycling grabbed a lot of attention online and on the streets. That is $250 million, just on cycling infrastructure. McKenney says it will fundamentally transform Ottawa into a world-class cycling city.
Candidate Mark Sutcliffe immediately responded by suggesting McKenney’s plan would be focused mostly in the core, at the expense of the suburbs. Sutcliffe’s more modest plan is for $100 million over four years, on roads, cycling and all infrastructure.
Candidate Bob Chiarelli rejected both plans as too expensive and says he will not earmark new money for cycling infrastructure at all. Instead, he is pledging to cancel any new road construction and fix Ottawa's current roads, which he says are in horrible condition.
Some of the cycling projects that were identified as important during public consultations for the city's Transportation Master Plan include work on Moodie Drive, Strandherd Drive eastbound, Wellington Street, Riverdale Avenue, the Trans Canada Trail, connections with the Aviation Pathway and neighbourhood connections in wards 10, 16, 17 and 18.
For a snapshot of what McKenney’s plan might look like in the end, CTV’s Graham Richardson jumped on his bike with a mini camera to look at the patchwork of protection in the east end, and what a major investment in bike lanes might bring.
In a Twitter thread with several video clips, he highlighted different kind of cycling infrastructure, from lanes with reflective vertical strips to fully separated multi-use pathways.
Some Twitter users replied to Richardson’s Twitter thread with opinions on all sides.
Some did not believe the spending was wise.
“I understand the concerns, but there are far more vehicles than bicycles and we have had cycling infrastructure overload, much to the disappointment of other needy groups,” said Donna Mulvihill. "Please don't misunderstand. We need safe cycling but we need safe streets too. Cycling lanes that just end leaving cyclists no where to go but into traffic just doesn't work for the cyclist or vehicle. Before more cycling lanes are added, work on the safety issue first."
Others said improving infrastructure for cyclists will make roads better for drivers, too.
“It also changes things for people on four wheels, even those of us who live in the sticks. More bikes means fewer cars and less congestion,” said Wayne Beaton.
The municipal election takes place Oct. 24. McKenney, Sutcliffe and Chiarelli are three of the 14 candidates seeking the mayor’s seat. Jim Watson is not seeking re-election.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.