Role Models - which one do we want?

Choose Wisely

Everyone can benefit from a good role model.  We all have them & the good ones, whether they are friends,  teachers, sports heroes or successful individuals, can change lives for the better.  They inspire us to reach beyond our capabilities, raising our bar.

In the 60s and early 70s, the automobile was well on its way to becoming entrenched as the role model of travel.  More roads, better roads and falling car prices meant more cars.  This is the period in which the automobile began to edge out cycling, worldwide.
The number of cars rose dramatically, cycling fell to the lowest levels in decades, yet the number of cycling injuries and fatalities increased to the highest ever reached.  The decline in the number of cyclists and growth in injuries for Amsterdam in the 60s is clearly seen in the chart and was indicative of  the worldwide trend.

After hitting a low in the mid 70s, the Dutch reversed the cycling trend.  They decided it was time for change.  The Netherlands is the world's most successful cycling nation.  Everyone cycles, the young and the old.  People are healthier and more active.  Health costs are lower.  The popularity of cycling in the Netherlands was restored and "made part of everyday life because it was designed to be made part of everyday life."  The bike network is continuous, safe, accessible and integrated with transit and cars.  In North America, cycling is often incorporated into design as an afterthought, something to be done after the roadway has been planned.  Cycling is not seamlessly integrated into our transportation models.

I hope you will view the short video below.  Its well worth the time.  At the two minute mark you will see the precipitous decline in cycling and rise of cars followed by the significant change a determined populace can effect.  We too can make that change but we need the fortitude to do so.  Burlington, aligned with its Dutch twin city Apeldoorn, is well positioned to take advantage of its Dutch role model.  It needs to decide to make it happen.

OCCUPY Burlington!

Revolution's in the air!

Burlington's ripe for its own revolution - a bicycling revolution!

Shamelessly copied from Tweed Ride Victoria.  Something to bring out the cyclists in Burlington.

Tweed Washington, DC

"Tweed Rides are a worldwide phenomena, started in London in the fall of 2009 as The Tweed Run London. The organizers thought that it would be fun to have a slower-paced “cosmopolitain ride with a bit style”. So they dressed in tweeds, rode their bikes through London streets and raised money for bicycles for African Children – Bikes 4 Africa.

Tweed Portland

What is Tweed Ride Victoria?


It is a group bicycle ride through the centre of Victoria, in which the cyclists are encouraged to dress in classic tweed or any smart looking outfit. Any effort made to recreate the spirit of a bygone era is also always appreciated. Any and all bicycles are acceptable on the Tweed Ride."

Link to videos of tweed rides.

Tweed Ride gear.

Won't take a 7 page staff report examining the cities hosting Tweed rides across North America.  No need for a council document outlining the obstacles, potential pitfalls, requirement for policing, barriers and taxpayer funding, advanced committee and stakeholder planning etc. 


Just a dozen or two, bicycling Burlingtonians, dressed with their handlebar moustaches bicycling leisurely across Burlington!  Would be a great annual event!

iVeni, iVidi, iVici .......

Think Different.  Oct. in NYC.

He inspired legions.  Many say Steve Jobs changed the world.

I've never used an Apple, iPhone or Mac but I know we can learn from Steve Jobs.

He is what Malcolm Gladwell terms an "outlier," maybe the furthest along the curve.  His adherence to simplicity, unrelenting determination, steadfast vision and excellence are the things we can take away to make it better.

In some ways, the current cadre of Burlington Cycling Committee members reflect a very small portion of the values Steve Jobs possessed in abundance.

Often we swim against the tide.  We see things that others do not.  We are vocal and demonstrative. Where others see the status quo as sufficient, we seek progress.  We see improvements that were made and wonder why they weren't done better, safer, faster.  Sometimes we are difficult to work with, harder to appease.  We dislike backing down when we feel we are right!  We'll rock the boat if its necessary, and we won't be ignored.  In cycling safety, good enough is a poor substitute for a better way.

Steve Jobs wanted to "put a ding in the universe."  He succeeded.  The cycling committee wants to put its own "ding" into Burlington, transforming it into a better, safer bicycling community benefiting all.  If one man can change the world, surely, the BCC vision will leave its mark on Burlington for future generations of cyclists.
      

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

.... and 1 step back

Bike lane ends, where does a cyclist go?  Does he turn into the
IKEA plaza or chose no bike lane Plains Rd.

Most agree a bike lane, even an edge line, is better than nothing.  No where is this more apparent than on Plains Road, west of the QEW underpass.  The bike lane disappears and the cyclist is left to fend for himself in heavy traffic.

Once off the underpass bike lane, the cyclist - and motorist are confronted with a dilemma.  Will the cyclist hug the curb lane which is a turn only lane into the IKEA complex or will the cyclist veer left into the 2nd lane of straight through traffic?  The cyclist, even an enthused and confident cyclist, feels angst in this conflict zone.

The majority of people do not cycle regularly because they fear sharing the roadway with cars.  Cyclists can be grouped into 4 categories (2009 Cycling Master Plan page 16).

While the QEW Fairview underpass improvements are fantastic, they will be under utilized because west of the underpass there are no bike lanes in either the westbound or eastbound lanes.  There is no safe and comfortable way for the cyclist to bike from the QEW to Francis Road.  City engineers must take into consideration the bike lanes they are adding, should be designed for the 60% of Interested but Concerned Burlingtonians who will cycle when its safe and comfortable.

In 2012, the city plans to resurface and widen Plains Road from King to Francis adding bike lanes but there is nothing slated for Plains between the underpass and Francis.

Road width measurements indicate there is room for bike lanes between the QEW and Francis Road.  Grinding and painting is all that's needed.  This is not expensive work.  It's not difficult to do.  It does take foresight and attention.  This could have and should have been done in conjunction with the underpass road work!

Steps forward ....

Using data from MTO and statistics from the City of Burlington, the Burlington Road Safety Committee determined that cyclists are 33 times more likely to be involved in a collision on the highway overpasses.  At the QEW / Fairview underpass, 2 fatalities and several serious injuries occurred over a 4 year period to cyclists and pedestrians crossing the roadway in the designated area.

MTO and the City of Burlington are closer to completing additional measures to make this intersection safer.  These include: blue bike lanes, narrower vehicle lanes which slow down vehicles, street-scaping, an alternative sidewalk crossing for less adventurous cyclists and a reduction in the speed limit.  All positive steps.  Thank you!!

Motorists beware!  It's a high enforcement area.

A Tale of Two Cities

Look out Burlington!  Bike-friendly Guelph is fast becoming Ontario's most cycling friendly & safe city.  They even have a target!

Guelph - a city of bike boxes, sharrows and cycling tracks.  The bike box and the cycle track are the latest developments in the Bicycle-Friendly Guelph Initiative which aims to triple daily cycling trips by 2018. Only about 1 per cent of all daily trips in Guelph are taken by bicycle, even though most of those trips are less than five kilometres.


Love the new website, resources and video.  Kudos to Guelph!!!!!

Open Streets Burlington. What's it going to take?......

to move from talking about it, to getting in done in Burlington?

Regardless of who reads Hamilton's document or Peñalosa's 125 page Ciclovia implementation & advocacy manual, without champions to implement & drive the event, it will languish.  

The mayor & city managers will endorse the project but that's a far cry from implementation.  In any organization, when you're high up the hierarchy, your salary & pension is based keeping things the same, what incentive do you have for advocating change, rocking the boat?

It will take a champion(s) to overcome the "insurmountable" (difficult but not impossible) obstacles.  Someone who cares & is willing to put the effort & time navigating through the obstacle course or through the mediocrity that will water down the event (eg 1 event instead of 3).  Someone who can overcome the status quo, the negative comments ("There are too many closures down town.  Not enough time to plan.  It will tie up traffic." etc.),  the inertia to change at city hall.  They've got to work within the organization to get things done following the rules (bending them if necessary) & make it happen.  

Portland got it done because they had champions like Mia Birk & her team of champions, who persisted in the face of all obstacles.  I suspect the Sound of Music & Ribfest succeeded because they had these champions who over came the insurmountable obstacles.

Alex Bilodeau, gold
& family 

I believe there are a number of individuals from various departments at city hall that would come together.  A team that wants to see it done, believes it can be done & is willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.  It remains to be seen if the mayor's & council's willingness to promote & go forward with this project is compelling & forceful - enough to get this group to coalesce into the team of champions we need.

Happy Canada Day everyone!  Wouldn't it be a rush if one lane on Brant where closed from Costco, allowing people in north Burlington to use the paved hydro corridor path to cycle to the festivities at Spenser Smith - all day!

"Don't tell me the sky's the limit, there's footprints on the moon" -  Paul Brandt

Cycling fun invades Burlington June 2011!!!

Fun and exciting cycling events invaded Burlington this June.  The inspirational presentation by Gil Peñalosa was followed by  the start of the Canadian Road Cycling Championships.  The final races will be held in Burlington on Sunday July 3rd, 2011.  Although Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes (tied for the winner of most Olympic medals) did not win, her performance was inspirational.  The women cyclists biked up Rattlesnake Point hill 8 times, the men 14 times.  (Once was enough for me!)

On Saturday MEC hosted its annual Bikefest at Spenser Smith Park including a 50km police escorted bike ride through Burlington.  Exhilaration on a bike, is blasting through red lights - legally!  Lots of activities including: bike tuning/repair classes, free tune-ups, bike & accessory displays & the chance to ride a penny farthing bike.  A bike aerial display by daredevil teen cyclists was awesome.

Thanks MEC & to all the other participants.  It was fun, well attended and growing.  Its a fabulous addition to Burlington's waterfront festivals.

Moving from talking to doing!

He is a doer, an influencer, planting seeds around the world.

Travelling the globe, Gil Peñalosa spreads the vision that vibrant, healthy cities are built for people NOT for predominantly for cars.  His organization, 8-80.org promotes the creation of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, and increased investment in greenways, trails, urban parks and other public spaces.  Anyone between the ages of 8 to 80 years old feels safe and comfortable on this infrastructure, consequently they use it - often.

Around the world cities are hosting car-free days on a regular basis.  I believe the number is now well over 800 cities.  Locally, Hamilton, London, Peterborough and many others have already experienced the benefits.  Kitchener-Waterloo, with many of the same obstacles that Burlington faces (KW already closes its core for 3-4 events, a hospital is on the route) has decided to hold 4 car-free Sundays in its downtown core this summer.  You can read about it here.

Gil's energetic presentation in Burlington was inspirational, exciting!  I believe the many seeds Gil has planted in Burlington will soon germinate.  Thank you Gil.  The world needs more Gil Peñalosa!

Burloak Drive bike lanes? Its up to you.

The City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville are initiating the review of lane configurations along Burloak Drive (New Street to Lakeshore Road) to accommodate on road cycling. 

The primary option being considered is a reduction from three travel lanes to two lanes (removing the centre left-turn lane) and implement on-road bike lanes in this roadway section.

A joint public meeting with the Town of Oakville will be held on:  

Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011         7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Appleby Ice Centre                 Multi-Purpose Room (Arena A)

Format: Formal presentation at 7:15 p.m.

Anyone with an interest in this project is invited to attend and participate. 

If you wish to provide input or require further information, please contact:

Mr. Dan Ozimkovic, C.E.T                             E-mail: ozimkovicd@burlington.ca

Transportation Engineering Technologist

Bike lane humour!

Not always riding in the bike lane?  You will get ticketed in NYC.

Be inspired. Wed. June 15, 2011. Guaranteed!

If you didn't make it to Seville, Spain in March  to hear Gil Penalosa you have another opportunity.  


Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring has invited visionary speaker, Gil Penalosa to outline an ambitious plan to transform Burlington into a vibrant, healthy, happy community.  
  
Its not about cycling!  Its about vibrant cities, healthy communities, great places and happy people.  
 Gil has walked the talk, he is a "doer."  Gil is a man who makes change happen and gets difficult things done.   He has spread his dynamic brand of gospel around the world from South America to Europe, from Melbourne to New York.  People are listening and taking action.  Here's what others have said about Gil.  Please don't miss this opportunity to hear Gil.  Change won't happen without you.


Discover what an 8-80 city means.  Be there.  It's Free!  Register here. You'll leave inspired!

June 15, 2011 at 7 p.m.
Auditorium, DeGroote School of Business, Ron Joyce Centre Admission is Free and Open to All


You can see some of Gil's great videos at www.8-80cities.org 

Heard last night: 10++ reasons why bike lanes shouldn't be on Walkers & Appleby Line south of New St.

City staff is recommending road diets on Walkers & Appleby Lines south of New St. to Lakeshore.  The 4 vehicle lanes would be reduced to 2 vehicle lanes, a centre turn lane and  bike lanes - a mirror image of Guelph Line south of New St.

Important slides from the presentation last night:

Send your comments to Dan at City Hall.  OzimkovicD@burlington.ca

Want bike lanes on Appleby & Walkers south of New St?

The City of Burlington is carrying out a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to review lane configurations for Walker’s Line and Appleby Line (areas South of New Street).  The project is following the approved planning process for “Schedule B” projects under the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. The primary option being considered is a reduction from four travel lanes to three lanes (north/south and turning) with on-road bike lanes in these roadway sections, same as Guelph Line south of New Street.

A good idea

Date:   Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Time: 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Location: St. Raphael’s School,  4056 New Street

Format: Formal presentation at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone with an interest in the study is invited to attend and participate. If you cannot attend and would like to provide comments, please email Dan at ozimkovicd@burlington.ca by June 17, 2011.

Dan is looking for your input, please come out and be heard.  Thank you.

Turn Off the Dark - it's happening in new New York City

Invigorated by another long weekend with friends in the city that never sleeps, I've come to love NY - the new, New York!  Each time we experience NYC, there are more cyclists and definitely more people walking and enjoying the streets.  It's becoming an urban cyclists' & pedestrians' haven. It's changing and it's changing for the better, fast - faster than the timid pace here in Burlington.

Below is a "Steetsfilm" video showing the growth of cycle tracks and bike lanes in NYC.  The video is a great one to watch with fabulous shots of green bike lanes, cycle tracks and people enjoying their city.  It's 11 minutes.  If you don't have the time, I'd recommend 3 very short segments:
1. 30 second mark shows the transformation of Times Square from a roadway dedicated to cars and its current state.  It's remarkable!
2. 50 second mark - Gridiron Sam states that a city planners and managers are thinking differently about road use bringing back more life to the city.  (We need that thinking in Burlington!)
3. 2:40 second mark - a 73 year cyclists enjoying the new & improved Columbus.

Complete Streets: It's About More Than Just Bike Lanes from Streetfilms on Vimeo.
Cycle tracks in Burlington?  At this point in time, in the Cycling Master Plan, no where else.

As for the new & improved $65 million & counting Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, its better suited for Atlantic City rather than Broadway.  See Wicked instead - and don't forget to experience Burlington's 1st summer streets event, coming this September.  

Old questions, need new answers!

A reader posted a comment suggesting we check out Halton Region's 2011 - 2014 Draft Action Plan.  Active Transportation is mentioned twice in the document.  (excerpt below, click to enlarge)

Bike lanes and pedestrian walkways for new and reconstruction projects are "Key Actions."  A good first step, but is it enough?

Despite letters to MTO from Burlington Council and the Chief Medical Officer requesting safer ways for cyclists and pedestrians to get over the QEW, there is no mention of safer passage in the draft document.
Another Key Action is to "Complete a plan for Dundas Street and Trafalgar Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in cooperation with Oakville, Burlington and Metrolinx."  Burlington's Cycling Master Plan also touted innovative cycle tracks along the entirety of Dundas Street.  Is Halton aware of this?  Both of these items should be specifically mentioned in the plan as Key Actions: 2012 - 2014.

They're spending your tax dollars!  Shouldn't you be providing your input into how your tax dollars will be spent by Halton Region?   Halton is asking for your answers.

The sound of one hand clapping

Northshore Boulevard is going to be resurfaced with paved shoulders added where possible.  From Eagle Drive to Bellhaven, the road will be widened and the road resurfaced.  For the section through LaSalle Park, the road will be resurfaced but without paved shoulders or a bike lane.  Cyclists are expected to veer off the road and use the path through the park.

This creates a weak link in the cycling network.  Another missed opportunity to fix a problem!  It wouldn't happen in Apeldoorn or Portland, Oregon or in a city that puts the highest priority on cycling safety for its citizens.  The road is also a landmark tourist attraction, part of the oldest road race in North America and often used by runners.  I've cycled this narrow road & felt the pressure of cars anxious to pass me many times.  The trees are not the obstacle and do not need to be cut.  Simply shift the roadway as the city has previously done on Northshore west of King.  With a bit of effort, the city should add paved shoulders to Northshore Boulevard as it winds through LaSalle Park.
Although the posted speed limit is 40kph, many drivers speed through this open stretch of roadway.

The Burlington Cycling Committee applauds this project - its the sound of one hand clapping.

How's a "B" working for yah?

An April 23rd. report to council detailed the city's progress in meeting the targets in the CMP.  It details both the good and bad but hesitates to give an overall grade, letting the reader draw his/her own conclusions.
Below is the report listing proposed cycling infrastructure by type of project in each of the 3 phases.

     

Our cycling master plan has 3 phases with projected completion rates for each.  As with countless things governmental, the most distant target (phase III) is the largest component, i.e it's back-end loaded and may never be completed.

Focusing only on the period 2009 - 2015 yields better results for the city - as high as 74%.  According to the grading system used in Ontario schools, it's a B grade - provided we do the projects planned for  2011 - 2115.

Where are the blowing trumpets, ringing church bells?  According to our CMP, phase I, as of 2010, we are ahead of the game.  We've got the lead!  In 2010 we blew past our targets with a completion rate of 166%.

Inexplicably, in 2011 & 2012 Burlington is planning for the lead to evaporate, slip between the spokes, by adding only 1km of new bike lanes each year!  Why????  If you're ahead at half time, you never plan on giving up going into the second half.
NOT, if you're the 3rd best city in Canada to live in &and getting more to cycle is the best way to move up or stay on top.

Playing catch up - its virtually impossible

Whether it's sports, business or your RRSP, playing catch-up is always the hardest way to win or meet your targets.  In sports, breaking, then recovering from a losing streak is a gargantuan task.  As the Maple Leafs have shown, time and time again, meaningful recovery from a losing streak is insurmountable.

Burlington's 20 year Cycling Master Plan is already behind the eight ball and we are only 2+ years into a plan that averages ~15km of bike lanes annually.  By the end of 2011, Burlington should have ~37km of new bike lanes.  If the City of Burlington meets its 2011 target we will have 16km.

Unfortunately, according to the chart below, which adds the bike lane & path projects from the 2010 - 2019 Road Capital Budget and Forecast, it doesn't get any better by year 2012 & 2013.

Target = total new CMP bike lanes/years.
* No its not a mistake, only 1km of new bike lanes expected in 2012

Recently, the city has called for public input into it's strategic plan and asked for feedback from its citizens.  Here's my 2 cents:  get the $80,000 cycling master plan back on track.  Its good for residents and Burlington.  The sooner its done, the sooner we reap the benefits!

Are you ready? Up for the challenge? Looking for some cycling FUN!

The eighth annual Brian Smith Charity Ride, in support of the Halton Trauma Centre, YMCA Strong Kids and the Brian Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund (which helps students at Nelson High School) will be held on 

Sunday May 29th, 2011.

A great start to the cycling season.  A fabulous cause, lots of fun with like minded cyclists and Nancy will even help you train to get in shape.

More details & registration at:  8th Annual Brian Smith Ride.

It's time we began connecting all the dots............ especially the difficult dots!

It's a recurring sight in Burlington - the ubiquitous Bike Lane Ends sign.  Sometimes there's no sign at all, the bike lane just disappears!

Like a chain, the bike network is as strong as its weakest links and there are too many weak links in Burlington.  Bike lanes end at the QEW over/under passes on Lakeshore, Brant St., Guelph Line, and Appleby.  On Walker's Line, there is an edge line, not a bike lane.

Disappearing bike lane Brant @ QEW

Northshore Road for example from Maple Ave. to west of the QEW is a prime candidate.  This forlorn stretch of roadway breaks the continuous bike lane from Aldershot into our downtown core.  It's a prime candidate for connecting dots!

Bike lanes also disappear when they approach major intersections especially when the bike lane gives way to channelized turn lanes, the exclusive vehicle right hand turn lane. Bike lanes are beneficial for both cyclists & drivers.  They provide motorists with a level of comfort knowing where the cyclist is going.

It's time to connect the dots, fill in the gaps.  It won't be easy.  It will take time.  We need our city engineers and planners to "fill in" one difficult gap each year.  From Amsterdam to Vancouver, from Australia to Europe, planners realize that 60% of the population would cycle if it were safer and comfortable.  This is the Interested but Concerned group who will come if you build it.  It's time Burlington started filling in the gaps.

TBV 2011!!!

It's become his legacy statement!  After the scandals of Madoff, Enron, Worldcom and others, its the mantra of savvy investors.  It will probably become the slogan for Burlington's Cycling Committee - Trust But Verify!

Ronald Reagan said "Trust but verify," but for the Cycling Committee it's Trust But Verify and keep doing it again and again.  It's Groundhog Day and deja vu all over again.  Why, such a cynical outlook?

Despite the new & improved 2009 Cycling Master Plan and the latest Future Focus VII document with 2 smiling cyclists highlighting  the transit & transportation page, proclaims  "In partnership with the Burlington Cycling Committee, update the 10 year Bikeway Master Plan  including strategies and recommendations related to financial and other resources required to ensure safe, reliable and fully integrated infrastructure for cycling," safer cycling seems to be a planning / engineering after-thought in Burlington.

bike lane missing in red

Engineering plans outlining improvements to the intersection at Brant St. & Fairview have been released.  We have existing bike lanes on Brant St. and Fairview St. but not on the northbound lane of Brant approaching Fairview.  At this heavily traveled intersection, and many others, there is a right turn lane for vehicles but no bike lane for cyclists.  Does the cyclist hug the curb or cycle in the through car lane?  As a motorist & cyclist, I dislike the uncertainty this causes.  The newly released engineering document, makes no allowance or mention of bike lanes on Brant St. between Maplewood & Fairview.

Yet, the 2009 Cycling Master Plan tells us exactly what is needed.  Why isn't it done automatically?  Why does the BCC need to painstakingly review engineering projects to claw out each small improvement it can wring out.  Does anyone read documents such as the 2009 Cycling Master Plan or is it a case they didn't know about the missing bike lane?

Burlington has made substantial improvements to its cycling network in the last few year.  And we can expect more in the future.  However, at times it feels it's two steps forward, one step back.  We can do better!  We must do better.  Its time to walk the talk - and this doesn't mean walking and talking at the same time.  It means getting it done, properly!

More details at the Public Information Centre Feb. 17, 6:30-8:30pm, City Hall, Room 247.


Woohoo!!    At tonight's PIC, city engineers displayed a revised plan that included a bike lane on Brant St. northbound, between Maplewood & Fairview.


Thank you!!!

[I'd] like a bridge over troubled waters

Red Hill 

They come in different styles, shapes, designs, costs and extravagance but they all do the same thing.  They enable pedestrians and cyclists a safe, direct way of crossing the major highways throughout Ontario.  They encourage people to cycle by making it safer. They promote active life styles and eventually cut health costs.
Bridges over [troubled] highways aren't cheap!  While the Cambridge bridge cost a paltry (in comparison) $1.8M, Hamitlon's new Red Hill Creek bridge is budgeted at $7.6M, paid for by the provincial government!

With the help of MTO & GO Transit, Hazel's gone for the gusto & built a $17M monument in Mississauga.

Pickering bridge rending

Pickering's 22M bridge is a monster from both an aesthetic & financial viewpoint.  However the $22M price tag will be picked up by the taxpayers through MTO, Metrolinx and the federal government.  
Bridge are not inexpensive investments but compared to the $5.3 Billion cost of inactivity in Canada, they are a bargain.
Hope that Burlington is grabbing a share of these government handouts.  The prohibitive cost of these bridges for any municipality or city like Burlington to tackle on its own, makes it a Bridge too Far. 

If you build it, they will ride

At January's Burlington Cycling Committee meeting, Mayor Goldring asked if Burlington's newly paved trails were being used by more people.  I sensed he was really asking if the city made a wise investment with taxpayer dollars.
Burlington does not take cyclists or pedestrian counts, so no hard data is available. However, everyone around the table intuitively felt the number of people using the trails had increased.

In London (see previous post) and now in Montreal, the hard data shows that bicycle use jumps where the city invests in paths & bike lanes!

According to an article in the Montreal Gazette, "bicycle use has increased by as much as 40 per cent since 2008 in areas of Montreal where the city has invested in bike paths or lanes."  This is based on research from a study done by McGill University students.

From johnchow.com

"Ridership at the five locations went up by 20 to 27 per cent from 2008 to 2009, and by 35 to 40 per cent in 2010 compared with 2008."  Mayor Tremblay made it his mission to make Montreal a leader in bike use.  From 2008 to 2010 the city invested $25 million and added 100km of bike lanes including physically separated cycle tracks, the envy of North America!

Montreal is not resting on its laurels.  By the end of 2013, an additional ~300km will be added to the bike network.
Where there's a champion at city hall, there is a way to get cycling infrastructure done!  Burlington needs those champions.