Cycling in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Duke St. being regional is subject to the whims of the region's planners. Their proposed plans, in my opinion, do not qualify as connected protected/all ages and abilities infrastructure. I would consider their proposal to be not a connection.

And...it doesn't end there, it seems probable that Ontario St. could also get cut, given the...disappointing...pushback from the merchants on that street, if Duke St. doesn't get built, my money is on Ontario St. also getting the "pretend infra" treatment.

Ontario St between King and Duke (because it's already done from Joseph to King)? I think there are only, what, four merchants on that block?

Yes, they came to the council meeting and spoke in no uncertain terms that they felt that a bike lane on that section was entirely unacceptable to their businesses, and that the loss of parking would be the end of their business.

And I say *disappointing* because it was actually the owner of Legacy Greens who spoke at the meeting. She expressed that she disagreed with the downtown grid as a whole, but felt that only Ontario was existential for her.

I have not been back to her business since and won't be back, and I will tell anyone who asks why I no longer shop there...it's quite the spit in the face given how I and MANY of her customers get to her business.

But I digress...yes, it's only 4 merchants...it just reveals how unequal different voices are treated in council. Literally dozens of cyclists came to speak and HUNDREDS wrote in, but four merchants and one cantankerous Tesla driver on Joseph St. and we have parts of the downtown grid being cancelled left right and centre.

The Water St. diversion was outright cancelled, Ontario St. is merely deferred in response to the objection, but I think it's very likely to be cancelled and I'd say it's almost a certainty if the region gets it's way on Duke.