Press Release
For immediate release: October 7, 2014
Sudbury Cyclists Union releases Top Priorities for election candidates
The Sudbury Cyclists Union (SCU) invites all municipal candidates to support its top three priorities for implementing safe cycling initiatives in Greater Sudbury. These priorities were identified in a document recently emailed to candidates.
The priorities are a Complete Streets Policy, an annual budget for cycling infrastructure, and Transportation Demand Management strategies.
“Many communities have already implemented these strategies. We need to be more progressive and encourage smart, sustainable, and cost-effective transportation in Greater Sudbury ,” states Rachelle Niemela, Chair of the SCU.
1. Complete Streets Policy
A Complete Street is a street for everyone. For children, for families, and for adults and seniors. A Complete Street policy will ensure safe and convenient travel for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and the mobility-impaired as well as motorists. It will provide a framework to ensure that all roads contain connected and appropriate infrastructure for everyone.
The SCU also recommends the development of a Cycling Strategy as an action plan arising from the policy, similar to the 2013 provincial CycleON strategy.
2. Annual Budget for Cycling Infrastructure
The SCU recommends annual funds to develop specific cycling projects in 2015 and in future budgets.
Greater Sudbury does not have prioritized cycling infrastructure action plans and most roads projects do not include cycling infrastructure.
“We have over 3,560 lane kms of roadway, yet we have less than 16 km lanes of separated dedicated cycling infrastructure and less than 24 lane kms of paved shoulders, “ states Niemela. “This certainly doesn’t create a safe grid for cyclists who need to travel within our city core and to our outlying communities.”
3. Transportation Demand Management
The SCU also wants Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategic initiatives, directed by a senior planning manager. TDM encourages sustainable transportation and improves the efficiency of the transportation network.
“We need to look at the total picture. Our transportation network should be planned to move people, not only cars,” says Niemela. “We need to look at new strategies that will help alleviate congestion, decrease the need to widen and build new roads, and alleviate parking requirements, all while maintaining or increasing the efficiency of our roads.”
The top priorities were also included in a survey sent to candidates in late September. To read more about the SCU top priorities and see survey results, visit the SCU website (sudburycyclistsunion.ca).
About the Sudbury Cyclists Union: The SCU is a grassroots organization whose main focus is to provide a strong unified voice for cyclists and to facilitate a better urban cycling culture in the City of Greater Sudbury. Our aim is to make cycling safe, accessible, and fun for cyclists of all ages and ability. For more information, contact us at info@sudburycyclistsunion.ca, call 705-805-0575 or visit http://sudburycyclistsunion.ca .
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