McKenney pledges to build 25 years' worth of cycling infrastructure in 1 term if elected

Mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney has announced a $250-million plan to fast-track cycling infrastructure in the city, promising to build 25 years’ worth of bike lanes in a single council term.

“As Mayor, I will transform Ottawa into one of the best cities in the world for cycling,” McKenney said in a news release.

McKenney said the project would be financed through a $250-million green bond to build bike lanes and multi-use pathways.

“We’ll do this by building 25 years’ worth of bike infrastructure in four years, using green bonds to bring forward money that we would otherwise spend on cycling infrastructure in the future, for a cost neutral way to cover this transformative investment in our city’s quality of life,” said McKenney. 

According to the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, a green bond is a a financial debt instrument used to borrow money or raise funds for legally documented green projects.

McKenney claims the move would save on cost escalations of future construction and would also save on wear-and-tear on roads as more people use bicycles instead of cars.

“We need protected bike lanes that make more people feel safe and comfortable getting around this city on a bike. Bikes are good for our health, and for our environment. They give people the option to step out of their cars, to help them explore a whole new side of our city," they said.

The city of Ottawa has more than 1,000 kilometres of bicycle and multi-use paths, including bike lanes that are maintained through the winter months.

The city has been expanding its active transportation infrastructure since amalgamation. Information provided by the city of Ottawa shows the total length of active transportation infrastructure has more than doubled in the last 19 years.

“Since 2003, the total length of facilities that accommodate cycling and other modes of active transportation has steadily increased in Ottawa. These facilities include bike lanes, cycle tracks, paved shoulders, multi-use pathways, as well as National Capital Commission multi-use pathways within the city. Many of these facilities, including multi-use pathways and cycling/pedestrian bridges, are also shared with pedestrians,” said program manager of active transportation planning Zlatko Krstulic in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“At the end of 2003, these facilities added up to 455 kilometres and are projected to total 1,065 kilometres by the end of this year.”

Other mayoral candidates were quick to criticize the plan.

“Be wary of any politician who says taxpayers won't be on the hook for something,” said Bob Chiarelli. “Green bonds are just code for borrowing more money. The city is broke.”

Mark Sutcliffe said Ottawa does need more cycling infrastructure, but he believes McKenney's plan lacks balance.

"I think it's a plan for downtown Ottawa, not for all of Ottawa, and I think it's a plan that prioritizes bicycles over cars. I think we need a balanced plan going forward... It's also an incredibly expensive plan," he said.

At least one other candidate has promised to build cycling infrastructure. Bernard Couchman’s website includes a promise to connect the city east to west with bike lanes.

This is the second major platform announcement from McKenney this week, following a pledge to freeze transit fares and make OC Transpo free for riders 17 and younger if elected.

McKenney is among 14 candidates vying for the mayor’s seat in the Oct. 24 election, alongside Brandon Bay, Bob Chiarelli, Bernard Couchman, Graham MacDonald, Catherine McKenney, Ade Olumide, Param Singh, Mark Sutcliffe, Mike Maguire, Celine Debassige, Gregory Guevara, Nour Kadri, Zed Chebib, and Jacob Solomon. 

--With files from CTV's Jeremie Charron.