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!!!