As a volunteer member of the RNBC, and Chair of its Network (formerly Engineering) Task Force, I am acutely aware of how critical bicycling advocacy is to ensure that municipal politicians and government staff keep cycling issues on their ‘radar screens’. Having said all this, you may wonder – ‘so what are the biggest issues?’, ‘why should I be concerned?, and ‘what difference can I make anyway?’.

To share my thoughts on this important matter, I have summarized what I believe to be the top seven bicycling advocacy issues pertaining to infrastructure in the Niagara Region for 2004. The main criteria that I used for choosing the issues, in no particular order, are"

The top seven issues are not about the current state of roads X, Y, or Z. It is common knowledge that Pelham Road is overdue for some improvements, and that it would be great to have paved shoulders on parts of Effingham Road. In fact, I anticipate that both these roads will eventually be resurfaced with paved shoulders, since they are ‘designated bicycle routes’ in the Regional Niagara Bikeways Master Plan ‘Bicycle Network’. The list of top seven is about decisions that will be made this year that impact how government will deal with bicycle facilities on future roadway construction projects, including Pelham Road and Effingham Road.

So here they are:

I ranked the issues based on a subjective weighting of the criteria, where risk and timing of decisions makes the need for the bicycling community’s input critical over the next few months. In issue #1, an important decision will soon be made on the future of bicycling in Niagara and there are no guarantees that Regional Council will vote to approve the Bikeways Master Plan. The QEW widening made issue #2 because it pertains to upcoming decisions that will have long-term implications on important well used bicycle corridors There is a very high risk that the City of St. Catharines may not make the necessary commitments to bicycle safety. Issue #3, the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, is also urgent due to the timing of decisions, the principal of bicycle access, and the long-term importance to tourism; but the number of cyclists impacted is lower. Strong recent actions by bicycle advocates have reduced the risk of loosing bicycle access to the bridge. The development of the Greater Niagara Circle Route should be ranked higher than issue #4 because it is a cornerstone for safe, recreational cycling in Niagara. However, the immediate risks to the project are not quite as critical or time sensitive as the first three issues. Issue #5 is also a longer-term issue about getting local government to commit to supporting bicycling. The immediate concern is how local municipalities might affect the Regional Council vote on the Bikeways Master Plan. Issues #6 and #7 stand out from other proposed road reconstruction projects due to the risk of non-support by local governments, or complexities of establishing safe continuing bicycle corridors as part of community redevelopment plans.

The seven issues are by no means a complete list. There are a number of reconstruction projects on the Regional Bicycle Network on which the public will be invited to view and write comments in 2004. Through the Provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) process, local governments are required to hold public meetings on major road reconstruction projects. Please attend, and more importantly, please provide written comments, even if it is just to support the plans. Bicycle lanes can be removed from plans if there is enough local opposition, as recently occurred on Glenridge Road through Old Glenridge in St. Catharines.

The upcoming Regional Road projects on undergoing an EA that impact the ‘Bicycle Network’ includes:

In addition, Provincial and local government road reconstruction projects must also go through the EA process. These public meetings are published in local newspapers.

By strategically focussing the bicycling community and other stakeholders on the most important issues, there is a much better chance for a successful outcome. That is the purpose of this article; to leverage the combined voice of the bicycling community on issues that matter.

Local politicians may not have a good understanding of bicycling issues. I find that clearly understanding and explaining the issues, knowing what you want, being polite and persistent are the best ways to achieve results both with politicians and government officials. It helps to explain the benefits to the community of your position. I recently spoke at a public meeting of the Merritton Community Centre about bicycle issues on the Glendale project. After the meeting, City of St. Catharines Councillor Sheila Morra commented that just learning about the ‘Regional Niagara Bicycling Master Plan’ will help her to understand of the issues and ask the right questions of the right people at the right time.

The preparation of engineering and other planning documents follow a prescribed process and timing. This is important to understand because once plans are set, they are difficult the change. Many of the aforementioned projects will not happen for several years, but the allotted time to impact the project design is this year. There will be opportunities to put your comments in writing at pubic meetings and you should definitely take advantage of this.

Lastly, you may also provide comments to any RNBC member listed in ‘Freewheelin’ or E-mail us by accessing www.rnbc.info. Just remember, your voice does make a difference!