Cyclists should get share of federal infrastructure money: Ottawa MP
Last Updated: Friday, August 15, 2008 | 3:30 PM ET
CBC News
Bike paths, lanes, bridges and cycling facilities are getting very little of the government investment in infrastructure, something that should change in light of rising gas prices and concerns over climate change, say an Ottawa member of Parliament and a group of local cycling activists.
Both a portion of the federal money already announced for infrastructure and funding in the next federal budget should be earmarked specifically for cycling infrastructure, said Paul Dewar, the NDP MP for Ottawa Centre, at a news conference Friday.
"They'll talk about investing in cities and sewers and roads, etc. but cycling's not on the radar," said Dewar in an interview later Friday afternoon.
The demands are outlined in a letter that has been sent by Dewar to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
Even though more and more Canadians are cycling due to the high price of gasoline and concerns about climate change, almost no federal money is being invested in bike routes, Dewar said.
He said dedicated funding for cycling infrastructure is necessary, aside from other essential municipal needs such as maintenance of water and sewer systems.
However, he said, at the moment, most bike paths in Ottawa are recreational rather than for bicycle commuters heading from the suburbs downtown.
"Many of our roads, you're taking your life in your hands if you cycle."
Charles Akben-Marchand, president of the local cycling advocacy group Citizens for Safe Cycling, said in a statement that targeted funding for cycling infrastructure would help municipalities "fill in valuable missing links" between destinations and encourage more people to cycle.
