Pressures from Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney and Capital Coun. David Chernushenko are the latest attempts at making Ottawa bike-friendly.
While both members of the City of Ottawa’s Transportation Committee had cycling-based inquires addressed recently, the responses they were met with show signs of what keeps Ottawa in limbo.
McKenney has questioned programs in place that study and prevent cycling collisions in Ottawa. She was met with an explanation of such programs, as well as being informed that the upcoming summarizing report of collision statistics for 2015 will not be able to provide specific details of individual accidents.
Lack of disclosure is something Heather Shearer, a board member of Citizens for Safe Cycling, believes is limiting the potential of cycling safety in Ottawa.
“We really don’t know a lot about what the city does. I know that the city says it reviews these kinds of incidents, but we really don’t know what they get out of it,” she says.
The Public Works Department, which is publishing the report, blames the forum in which the 2015 summary report is being released as the reason its findings won’t be made public.
While elements of this report, and potentially of others in the future remain private, the question arises – is the privacy of this information worth more than the safety of citizens?
The answer may clash with the City of Ottawa’s traffic goal – Towards Zero – one fatality or serious injury is one too many.
McKenney is a firm believer of accomplishing this goal immediately, though others think it will take some time.
“I think it may not be realistic at the present time, but in the future it definitely will be,” says Coun. Shad Qadri, a member of Ottawa’s Transportation Committee.
“It’s a very good goal to work towards,” says Hans Moor, past president of Citizens for Safe Cycling.
Chernushenko’s most recent inquiry questioned the feasibility of using more green cycle lanes, similar to that now in place on Laurier Avenue. While plans exist for more lanes like these to be installed Chernushenko would like to see more consistency used for bike lanes, as well as a better overall product. Cost, durability and longevity are all crucial factors for the city in determining whether or not lane-colouring products are a viable option.
“Right now green has become the de facto colour. Let’s figure out ways we can do it more often at lower costs,” says Chernushenko. “Money and time is a limitation. Each year you have got to make some improvements. You don’t just suddenly transform the whole city, and that’s the reality.”
As far as a long term option goes, Chernushenko would eventually like seeing coloured asphalt implemented. Moor agrees and would like to see a similar system used in Ottawa as is used all across Netherlands, his home country. Full lanes are coloured red, indicating them as strictly cycling lanes. Moor knows this to be costly, but believes it is the right choice.
“It depends what you think is expensive and it depends on what you think the life of a cyclist or a pedestrian is worth. Really its not a lot of money, its just how much value you put on safety,” says Moor.