02-26-2019, 09:58 AM
Kitchener to map out trails, cycling priorities for next 20 years
Quote:Kitchener wants to hear from the silent majority as it maps out its cycling and trails priorities for the next 20 years.https://www.therecord.com/news-story/919...-20-years/
The city is trying a novel approach in an effort to hear from a broader swath of the community. First, it is creating a community working group that will play a key role in shaping the new plan. Second, over the next year or so, the city plans to go beyond the standard evening public meetings, to reach out to residents in creative ways to hear what would get them using the city's trails more.
A key push over the next year will be to hear from the 60 per cent of people considered "interested but concerned," who say they would like to cycle more, but don't feel comfortable sharing the road with cars and trucks.
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City staff are sifting through 16 or 17 applications for the five to seven spots on the community working group. Pimentel hopes the group will include not only committed bicycle commuters, but also people who cycle for fun, and people who don't bike and can shed light on what the city would need to do to get them out on two wheels.
He wants to hear from men and women, young and old, and from all kinds of trail users, beyond cyclists.
"This plan isn't just about biking," he stressed. "It's people in walkers, people walking dogs, people in mobility devices."