The New Edinburgh Community Alliance wrote to the mayor about a bike lane along St. Patrick Street.
Here is the letter:
June 2, 2014
His Worship Jim Watson
Mayor of Ottawa
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1
Re: bike lane along St. Patrick St. to be added during resurfacing this summer
Dear Mr. Mayor,
I am writing on behalf of the New Edinburgh Community Alliance (NECA) to ask that the City introduce bike lanes on both sides of St. Patrick St., from Coburg/Island Lodge to Sussex Drive, during the resurfacing of the street this summer.
St. Patrick St. is a main east-west artery that is adjacent to our neighbourhood. We believe the street should be made safe for cyclists who currently use it, and a dedicated lane would encourage people to switch to cycling to downtown.
Unfortunately, the current plans for resurfacing St. Patrick include the introduction of sharrows painted on the road – and not bike lanes — between Coburg and King Edward and also the allowance for sidewalk cycling between Island Lodge and Crichton on the north side of St. Patrick. The plans do not include the addition of bike lanes, which would comply with the City’s Complete Streets policy.
NECA is adding its voice to this request, joining the Vanier Community Association, the Lowertown Community Association, the Manor Park Community Association, and the Beechwood Village Alliance which have each written to you on this matter.
St. Patrick and Beechwood Avenue is a major east-west artery for our neighbourhood, connecting us to the ByWard market, to downtown Ottawa, to our offices and to many points beyond. This artery is already a heavy traffic route, and with new residential developments underway along Beechwood and at the former CFB Rockcliffe Base promise to increase traffic flow.
Please show that Ottawa wants active transportation – including more cycling and less vehicular traffic – by ensuring bike lanes are included in the road works for St. Patrick this summer.
Yours sincerely,
Tim Plumptre
President, NECA