Brian Lyons, a Centretown resident living in rent-geared-to-income housing operated by the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, saw his rent skyrocket this September by almost 70 per cent — from $85 to $145.
What was the reason for the hike? A parking space for a bicycle.
Lyons, 52, has a bad hip and the only way he can comfortably and economically get around the city is on his bicycle. Because he finds it difficult carrying his bike up and down stairs when the elevators in his apartment don’t work — which happens often —he requested a spot in the building’s underground parking garage.
The Corporation responded by sending a letter assigning him a full parking spot in the garage, charging $60 a month for the privilege. Sixty dollars could buy a new bicycle every month.
Lyons brought the letter to a recent meeting of the city’s task force on homelessness. He said placing one of the bright blue bicycle racks, which permeate the city, by his home would solve the problem. The city councillors on the task force advised him this was impossible since they don’t determine the location of the racks. Advertisers do.
Velocity Media have over 30,000 racks in high traffic areas throughout Ottawa. There is a ‘small cost,’ according to their website, for relocating the racks to a ‘hotter’ location. Evidently, lower income areas are quite lukewarm.
Property manager, Brian Ganim, says the matter is under investigation by the Corporation but it hasn’t decided if there is demand for a bike rack. He says parking is a luxury for people with low incomes. “The size of the vehicle is irrelevant. He’s occupying a parking spot, so we’re losing revenue.”
Yet, he says, in many other Corporation buildings, tenants can park bikes for free in specially built storage rooms.
While this may seem trivial to some, it’s not for those involved, and while Lyons may never have to pay, his plight is symbolic of the city’s larger problems with poverty issues.
A bicycle is a cheap and green alternative to cars — its use should be encouraged. For many, it’s the only way to get around quickly. OC Transpo is becoming a less attractive option — come December, it will ‘boast’ the most expensive single-ride rates in the country.
The city needs to provide secure storage or bike racks at affordable housing units. A bus pass geared-to-income wouldn’t hurt either.
— Jennifer Copestake