Ed Sleiman
1351 Rossini Blvd. N8Y 2Z6
Phone: (519) 800-4954
Website: www.edsleiman.com
Thank you for your submission on behalf of Bike Friendly Windsor and for giving me an opportunity to explain my position on active transportation. While I realize that your organization is concerned with cycling, as a City Councilor I must have a broader view and consider the needs of other road users. I have an equal concern for pedestrians, who are more frequent, year-round users of our infrastructure.
Having said that, I am a staunch advocate of active transportation regardless of the form it takes. For too many years we have given priority to cars on our roadways, leaving cyclists and pedestrians to fend for themselves in many cases. Many areas lack sidewalks, there are substandard crossing signals in many locations and the design of some intersections in the city are so treacherous that pedestrians, cyclists and others cannot safely use them (Walker Road at Ottawa for example).
Complicating this issue is the fact that Windsor, like many other cities, has to accommodate an aging sector of the population that has every right to expect that roadways should be safe for them as well. To that end, I propose that the city’s Bicycle Use Master Plan, which has not been revised in eight years, be reviewed and updated to take all of these factors into account.
As to your last question; I regret to say that I do not ride a bicycle. However, I do not think that I have to be a cyclist to support cycling and I will encourage any efforts to promote healthy, active living in our city.
1) What are your views on cycling in Windsor?
2) Do you own a bike? How often do you ride it?
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?
5) What are your views on enforcing cycling laws in Windsor?
6) Are you willing to make a commitment to bike to at least 4 city council meetings per year, to lead by example?
