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PRESS RELEASE: Community forces Council to back down on discount fare increases
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PRESS RELEASE: Hundreds of residents gather to oppose anti-bike lane bill
OTTAWA - Over 200 residents gathered today to oppose the Ford government's Bill 212 which would limit the ability of municipalities to install new bike lanes but would also more concernigly give the province the power to remove bike lanes that already exist.
The rally was held at the Chateau Laurier where Doug Ford was set to speak alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to the Economic Club of Canada. It was organized by organization Horizon Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa and Bike Ottawa.
Thirteen Ottawa City Councillors currently have voiced their opposition to the forthcoming bill, Sutcliffe however has not come out against it.
Just last month alone, three cyclists have been seriously injured in Ottawa. Two were killed in September. Between 2018 and 2021, the CBC reported that 54 cyclists had been seriously injured while seven died. In Toronto, the number of road fatalities which included 12 pedestrians and 6 cyclists had already surpassed 2023 numbers by September, with numbers continuing to dangerously grow.
"Ottawans of all ages and abilities want to bike. It's a fun, efficient, affordable, healthy, and climate-friendly way to get around." said Cassie Smith, VP of Bike Ottawa. "We have moved beyond cycling as a niche activity for those who feel comfortable taking the lane with motor vehicles. We expect our city to be able to provide the current and planned cycling infrastructure that makes biking possible for everyone."
Cassie Smith of Bike Ottawa speaking to crowd
The City of Ottawa has in fact seen an increase in those who choose to cycle. A report from the City in 2022, showed that the number of cyclists has more than doubled in the last decade. The City also has a goal of increasing the number of cycling paths by 50% by 2046 in its Official Plan.
“We need more biking infrastructure, not less: bike lanes keep people safe, move people more efficiently, make our city more accessible to more people, and reduce our emissions,” said William van Geest, Interim Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “If Premier Ford really wanted to reduce gridlock, he’d not only add bike lanes, but help fund transit operations in Ottawa. This legislation has it backward and must be withdrawn.”
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