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