Hi Sue and Sara,
Thanks for putting together the primer.
All of your recommendations listed therein are fantastic ways to make our streets safer.
As an active transportation network user, I am often on my bike, and often feel very vulnerable against impatient motor vehicle traffic. And I say that as an experienced biker, 41 year old man who can ride and navigate streets and traffic with confidence — there are many younger, less experienced, and less confident who will struggle to overcome that feeling of vulnerability.
That said, as I own an operate Dreams of Beans on Charlotte St, I was invited to early conversations to the design of the Charlotte Street streetscape, and saw that there were lots of novel ways to plan for foot and active transportation as a matter of priority. It’s unfortunate that so much infrastructure work is required underneath Charlotte St and that such a project will take years to finish, but going by the plans for the finished streetscape gives me hope for safer streets altogether.
With news blaring this morning that Michigan has run out of diesel, we are forced to recognize that personal driving may become a luxury in the short term future; we can start work now to make our streets safer because of a projected incoming demand for more pedestrian and bike safety. This is not necessarily your goal, but aligns you with many others asking for more protected bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.
Lastly, speed limits are only really a rule as long as they are enforced. Reducing speed limits will have a net positive effect by those willing to adhere, but will not deter those who are already unwilling to adhere. Road designs that force drivers to slow down, including: wiggly road ways, alternating street-side parking (forcing a non-straight driving line), speed bumps, roundabouts; all of these serve to physically limit, requiring no enforcement. A great example of this is the temporary Hunter St setups during summer months; the non-straight lines force drivers to slow down. And, sadly, there is truth to the adage that “Monetary fines are rules only for the poor”, with reduced speed limits and enforcement, some will not be deterred simply by the nature of their wealth and that the fine is not enough deterrent.
In another lifetime I would love to study city planning, but for now I am grateful for experts and advocates like you who keep banging this drum.
Will you publish the responses you gain from other candidates? I will put a copy up on my own website and link to yours if you do.
Thanks for your hard work!
-Andrew
705-808-4843
andrewmacgregor.ca