: Bill Saundercook City Councillor Ward 13 :

I am very disaappointed to not be able to attend this meeting, having only heard of it by way of a poster along annette street that i happened to notice while biking. until then I knew that there were discussions ongoing about this important issue, but not when.

i feel that this is another missed opportunity to have a serious discussion about this topic, and instead will be one with over representation of a group of businesses that have strongly lobbied against the proposed bike lane on annette. I have nothing against these businesses, in fact I am a customer at several, but am dissapointed by the limited arguement against bike lanes as an infringement on their sales and an inconvenience for their customers. I do not agree with this argument. As the examples of the vibrant shops along college st and harbord street demonstrate, bike lanes are not a detriment to business. in the case of harbord, there is not even a loss of parking, as the bike lanes periodically move into the centre lane to accomodate this. it is this kind of alternative I would like to see discussed, but unfortunately am not able to do so in person tonight

The process around the Annette Street bike lanes insulted everyone who turned up to speak, depute, or discuss this issue. The eventual deal that passed at the public works committee did not respect the priorities expressed by the vast majority of people who came out to ask for bicycle lanes, nor does it respect the safety of cyclists.

Worse, the process left no room for a discussion of the issue in light of the principles concerned. We all want a liveable city. Most of us know that means we need local businesses. Many of us turned out and worked to find options that would preserve access for the businesses on Annette street while at the same time making cyclists safe. All our efforts at reasonable compromise got brushed aside in favour of a plan for "sharrows" that, as far as I can tell, almost nobody wanted.

We obviously have a broken political process in this city. The political culture of this city serves neighbourhood interests, which means the interests of people today, with little thought to any vision for the city as a whole, or of the future of the city. I think the political processes I have seen in this city so far badly short-change the people who live here now, and even more badly short-change the people who will live in this city in years to come.

I see that Mr. Saundercook has once again demonstrated his dictatorial tactics and completely ignore the overwhelming support of the community to deny the installation of dedicated bike lanes on Annette St.
Shame on you Mr. Saundercook! You really are a disgrace to public office.

I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.
Great stuff as usual....