Colin McMahon
551 Hall Avenue
N9A 2L7
Email: colin@colinmcmahon.ca
Website: www.colinmcmahon.ca
1) What are your views on cycling in Windsor?
Windsor is the perfect city for leisure cycling. We have an amazing trail down by the water and a great trail out in the east end. However, that’s where it ends. In terms of bike friendly roads we don’t really have much to boast about. We need more prominent bike lanes in more locations throughout the city. Windsors drivers need to also be educated on the fact that the road is to be shared with cyclists. If you want to go 120 in your nice big SUV, we have a highway built just for you. It’s not the safest place to be on a bicycle. Even on a motorcycle, I’ve been cut-off and almost run over dozens of times. I’ve even had someone hit me while they were merging into my lane. The fact that cyclists are even less visible definitely scares me. We’re supposed to ride on the road, with crazy drivers that have no clue how to act around cyclists, and we get in trouble if we ride on the sidewalk because we’re too scared to be cruising next to a 2000lb hunk of metal going 60km/h. Windsor definitely needs to revise the current roadways to accommodate the changing economy.
2) Do you own a bike? How often do you ride it?
I do own a bike, but I don’t get out on it too often. I live close to everything I need, so my fiancée and I usually just walk. However, on nice days we take the motorcycle as much as possible. It’s definitely not the same as a bicycle, but when you want to get out to leamington it’s a bit quicker 
3) Recent research shows that 65% of Windsorites have ridden a bike in the last year. What do you think can be done to get more windsorites cycling more often?
4) What do you think needs to be done to make Windsor more bicycle friendly?
Question 3 and 4 pretty much hand in hand. Windsor needs to invest in a safer and more efficient biking system. Not just with markings and signs, but specific bike friendly routes throughout the city that bypass lights/stop signs etc.. so that by taking a bike, you’re able to get to your destination quicker and more efficiently than if you had taken a motor vehicle.
5) What are your views on enforcing cycling laws in Windsor?
The bike laws in Windsor do need to be enforced, not only for the safety of the cyclist, but for the safety of everyone else. That being said, there are dozens of other things that the city needs to enforce before they start bringing the hammer down on cyclists. I do not believe, however, that we shouldn’t be allowed to ride on the sidewalk. I know dozens of people who want to go for a ride but are terrified to have to ride on the road. We need to see more support from the city on this.
6) Are you willing to make a commitment to bike to at least 4 city council meetings per year, to lead by example?
Weather permitting, I would love to take my bike to as many city council meetings as I can. I’ll be taking my bike down or walking to most of the city council meetings anyways, so at least 4 times should be easy. I definitely plan on walking or cycling much more than 4 times a year though.
