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Cycling infrastructure can’t wait

It is with interest that the Sudbury Cyclists Union (SCU) heard that the proposed Vitys Lands subdivision in Chelmsford was approved by the Planning Committee Nov. 25.
It is with interest that the Sudbury Cyclists Union (SCU) heard that the proposed Vitys Lands subdivision in Chelmsford was approved by the Planning Committee Nov. 25.

Staff reiterated that any possible cycling infrastructure would only be determined after the Transportation Study is completed. Conditions for approval did not include provisions for specific cycling infrastructure, as they did for sidewalks.

Since the Sustainable Mobility Plan was presented to council in 2010, we’ve lost numerous opportunities to implement active transportation into new road works and new developments.

New cycling infrastructure now seems to be dependent upon the completion of the Transportation Study, whose preliminary results have been delayed for over a year.

Given the delays currently being experienced, it may be two years or more before we have a plan to implement infrastructure that is critical to the safety of cyclists.

Until final plans are in place, we need to ensure in other ways that new subdivisions have proper cycling infrastructure and that developers are required to pay their fair share for what is required as a result of their developments.

Rachelle Niemela
Sudbury Cyclists Union member