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| Mayor Dave in Mississauga |
We share the same latitude and the same cold, snowy winter (actually Burlington has warmer winter highs, fewer snowy days & less snow) but we are miles apart in attitudes towards cycling.
This week, former Madison Wisconsin mayor, Dave Cieslewicz spoke at the Share the Road cycling summit in Kingston. Mayor Dave reminded the crowd, cycling friendly cities attract a creative class. He also said the ciclovia event and the resultant culture of cycling was the most popular thing he ever did!
At a similar event in Mississauga, Cieslewicz warned his audience to expect controversy, saying, "People will imagine all kinds of horrible things, like the end of the free world, just because you're installing a bike lane or a bike box and it will be very controversial. But the truth is once you install these things, people love them. You need to get over that initial political hump." Not content to rest on its laurels as a gold rated bike friendly city, Madison will be implementing a 100 recommendation plan, spending millions over 5 years to improve existing cycling infrastructure!
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| The cycling mayor, Boris Johnson |
London, UK
Meanwhile in London, England, the mayor announced his cycling vision promoting a plan to spend $1.4 billion over 10 years. “Cycling will be treated not as niche, marginal, or an but as what it is: an integral part of the transport network, with the capital spending, road space and traffic planners’ attention befitting that role.” Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
New York City
In New York city, Mayor Bloomberg's vision is similar - "Cyclists and pedestrians and bus riders are as important, if not, I would argue more important, than automobile riders." During his tenure, under the guidance of transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. bike lanes and a bike sharing program has bloomed, along with the necessary angst from motorists.
Chicago
18 months into his first term as mayor, Rahm Emanuel introduced a protected, bi-directional bike lane running directly through the heart of its downtown. Chicago choose a high profile street because of the message it sends to its citizens - cycling is important, cycling matters! In Chicago, the committee advising city council is known as the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council. Overnight, Chicago has become the envy of cycling friendly cities such as Seattle, New York and even Portland.
Toronto
Finally, in Toronto, even on blustery winter days, nearly a third of travel in downtown Toronto is now by bicycle or on foot. Chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat wants to make the streets safer for cyclists. “It’s a much more cost-effective way to move,” Ms. Keesmaat said. “Does it mean every trip will be on bike? Absolutely not. But some trips will, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing, if more trips were.”
Does the rest of the world know something we don't? If Burlington aspires to be a true cycling friendly city, Burlington needs more boldness. We need to get over the political hump Mayor Cieslewicz referred to. We need a council that heeds the well researched, advice of its hard working citizen's cycling committee. The cycling committee must be more than just window dressing.
Current City Council is plagued by a lack of leadership and vision when it comes to cycling in Burlington.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I think it boils down to the politicians wanting to get on the good side of voters to enhance their re-election prospects. Any suggestions how to counter this?
ReplyDelete