For immediate release
It's time for Winnipeg's cycling infrastructure to get its fair share of public works funding, says Winnipeg Green Party
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
If elected, the Winnipeg Green councillors will work to raise the percentage of money dedicated for cycling infrastructure towards the percentage of citizens who cycle to work. According to a 2004 public works survey, 2.8% of the population cycles to work, while only 0.3% of the city's $62 million for streets and bridges went to cycling.
"While the number of people using bicycles as transportation in Winnipeg is increasing, funding for cycling has not," says Robert Galston, Winnipeg Green Party candidate running in the Mynarski ward. With designated bicycle lanes on major streets, a safer environment is created for people to travel downtown, or to other major destinations, such as the University of Manitoba. "Pathways are important, but there must be designated bike lanes on streets to get people where they need to go. Many people would like to ride their bike to work or school, but feel unsafe doing so."
Galston, a regular cyclist on city streets, says most major roads already have the space to fit a narrow bike lane. "It wouldn't take much to paint a stripe on the side of the road," says Galston.
David Danyluk, Winnipeg Green Party candidate for Elmwood - East Kildonan, asks, "Will it take the death of a cyclist for City Council to follow its own Plan Winnipeg policies?" These are, "establishing a city-wide bicycle and pedestrian pathway system which is segregated where practical and feasible from motorized traffic and which creates links between open space and major destinations." (Plan Winnipeg, 3C-01, Provide Integrated Transportation Network)
The Winnipeg Green Party's platform commits councillors to create the position of an Active Transportation Coordinator to improve walking, cycling and other travel in the city. Danyluk adds, "This position has been recommended in studies before and the current council has not acted, this tells me they are not serious about it. It is one of our party's priorities, and I see it as a serious safety issue."
A study by the Ontario College of Family Physicians, January 2005, on Public Health and urban Sprawl notes that lack of physical activity is associated with diabetes, obesity and hypertension:
Bike to the Future's survey of candidates for City Council in the civic election 2006 gave Winnipeg Green Party candidates an A-Grade:
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Contact: Markus Buchart, Winnipeg Green Party Spokesman, Tel. 772-9869
Winnipeg Green Party candidates:
Markus Buchart - St.Vital
David J. Danyluk - Elmwood - East Kildonan
Robert Galston - Mynarski
Constance Menzies - St. James - Brookland
Stephen Smith - Transcona
Glenda Whiteman - St. Norbert
