URGENT action: Active transportation's proposed funding cut to $0

[Chris Chan]

Demand more than nothing.

What can you build over three years with 1.5 million dollars?

• 18 metres of the 23 Ave interchange
• 34 kilometres of shared use and on-street bike lanes

What can you build over three years with 0 dollars?

• Nothing.

A total of $0 has been allocated towards active transportation in the proposed 2012-2014 capital budget. 

Edmonton has already built 76 km of its 489 km bicycle transportation network, with minimal investment. Let Council know that the $0 proposed for active transportation isn't enough.

Remind City Hall of its commitments. Speak out for active transportation funding at the public hearing on Wednesday, November 23 at 9:30am at City Hall. It can be as simple and powerful as stating, "Active transportation is a priority for me, and it's a priority in the City's vision and strategy documents. Council needs to find a way to fund active transportation." They'll appreciate your brevity, and you'll get your message across.

Can't make the hearing? Send council a letter today letting them know that active transportation is important to you. It can simply be the two sentences above: Council just needs to hear from citizens that we care about active transportation.

http://edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/city-councillors.aspx

• Ward 1: Linda Sloan :: linda...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 2: Kim Krushell :: kim.kr...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 3: Dave Loken :: dave....@edmonton.ca
• Ward 4: Ed Gibbons :: ed.gi...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 5: Karen Leibovici :: karen.l...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 6: Jane Batty :: jane....@edmonton.ca
• Ward 7: Tony Caterina :: tony.c...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 8: Ben Henderson :: ben.he...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 9: Bryan Anderson :: bryan.a...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 10: Don Iveson :: don.i...@edmonton.ca
• Ward 11: Kerry Diotte :: kerry....@edmonton.ca
• Ward 12: Amarjeet Sohi :: amarje...@edmonton.ca
• Mayor :: Stephen Mandel :: stephen...@edmonton.ca

• 2009: Council approves Active Transportation Policy C544, stating: The City of Edmonton strives to be pedestrian and bicycle-friendly by providing sidewalks, curb ramps, shared pathways, marked bicycle and shared-use lanes
• 2009: Council carries a motion directing Administration to prepare the 2012-2022 Capital Priorities Plan with a guideline of 5% of the Transportation Capital Budget toward Active Transportation.
• 2009: Council approves the Transportation Master Plan, stating: Public transportation and active transportation are the preferred choice for more people, making it possible to move more people more efficiently, reducing pressure on the roadways/need for increased investment, maximizing the effectiveness of financial investments and the efficiency of goods movement.
• 2010: Council approves the Municipal Development Plan (Bylaw 15100), stating: Ensure that streets, sidewalks and boulevards are designed to perform their diverse roles and to enable safe access for all users.
• 2011: Council approves The Way We Green approved by Council, stating: Resilient cities and neighbourhoods should prioritize active transportation as the preferred mode of travel and as a defining component of a healthy quality of life.
• 2011: Council is presented with the proposed 2012-2014 Capital Budget, with $0 recommended toward Active Transportation.