Slo-pitch player sues field owner after being struck by ball

Justice James R.H. Turnbull of the Ontario Superior Court has allowed a lawsuit against Dofasco to proceed.  “There is a genuine issue of whether Dofasco did take such care in all the circumstances of the case as was reasonable to see that persons playing on the diamond in positions where they may be blinded by the sun from line drives could do so in reasonable safety,” the judge ruled. 

What's this got to do with safe cycling in Burlington?

We have made Public Works Government Services Canada aware of the dangers of cyclists and pedestrians crossing Eastport Drive at the liftbridge.  Its an accident waiting to happen - again!  In 2003 a 58 year old cyclist was killed walking his bike across Eastport to use the narrow bayside crossing. –Several cyclists have been injured (including 1 broken arm), cycling over the slippery bridge grating. 
 
MTO personnel have observed that vehicle traffic on Eastport routinely travels 15-20kph over the posted speed limits.


Does PWGSC need a lawsuit to get them to do the right thing?  Its not a question of whether the lawsuit is justified or frivolous.  Dofasco will probably spend over several hundred thousand dollars to defend it. 



In the long run, a lakeside multipurpose path benefits everyone by promoting active lifestyles, reduces health costs, increases tourism and the quality of life in the area.  Let's get it done!

As the old FRAM commercial said, "Paid me now, or pay me a lot more later!!!"

A million wasted on legals fees or a million invested in a new lakeside multipurpose path.  Its a no-brainer!

Groundhog Day Redux - again & again

What if they had a party & this time you weren't invited?

Cycling across the liftbridge today I noticed a bevy of white helmets marching in unison on the pier. Curiosity got the better of me. I interrupted my ride on a beautiful fall day to see what the fuss was about. To my surprise it was MP Mike Wallace & an entourage of PWGSC people with the ubiquitous media contingent.

While Mike talked to Jason, then CHCH, I passed time by talking to the PWGSC entourage at the liftbridge. Today, they announced the awarding of a ~$4 million contract to paint, scrape and rehabilitate the bridge. (2nd picture) Strangely, no one from either city was there. On March 09, it was standing room only, as Mike announced the bridge rehabilitation with media & municipal politicians from Hamilton & Burlington in attendance accompanied by senior city hall staffers. (top picture)

You learn a lot kibitzing with PWGSC. Pedestrians & cyclists shouldn't feel left out! PWGSC has come up with 5 options for making the bridge safer. This includes building a 2nd bridge, synced with the first and the scurrilous do nothing option. Mike Wallace added a few more options PWGSC didn't think of bringing the total to 9! Of course, it all depends on funding.

In the next week or two, Mike Wallace will invite cycling committees from Hamilton, Burlington & other stakeholders to a roundtable discussion to deliberate the merits of the various options.  Thanks Mike!  We'll look forward to the discussions.

Per PWGSC, its not the implementation that takes so long to get it done. Its the design & preparation before the work begins that takes time. A project such as the lakeside path would take 5 years!  Slow but true, given the bridge facelift announcement was originally posted in the Spec in Sept. 2008.


We've been told PWGSC is the obstacle behind getting a lakeside path. Not so, cried the woman from PWGSC! Its the funding. If we find a way to pay for it, PWGSC would be too happy to build it!

Isn't it time for that second round of stimulus funding?