Example Letter to Mayoral/Council Candidate

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Dear [candidate name],

I am a resident of Ward [your ward], and active transportation is very important to me. I ride my bike [where, and how often], and want to see better bicycle infrastructure in Edmonton.

Strong, healthy communities need to be people-oriented. When youth can walk or bike to school, and when adults can walk to the grocery store or bike to work or school, neighbourhoods come alive. Safe, pleasant, active and fun: good cycling infrastructure connects neighbours with each other and connects neighbourhoods across the city.

This infrastructure doesn’t happen by itself. It needs strong support from you. The City of Edmonton has developed a well-designed Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP). It calls for $10-million to be spent each year for 10 years, to complete over 500km of bikeways across the city.

I want my councillor to fully support funding the Bicycle Transportation Plan. What are your spending priorities in relation to active transportation? Will you commit to fully funding the BTP?

Implementing the BTP will increase the number of cyclists in the city, reducing congestion and easing wear on roadways, saving the City money. More people on the streets walking and cycling also builds stronger, healthier communities.

[Include personal notes about your own commute or your own cycling-related issues!]

You can learn more about cycling in the city, and what other candidates are saying at http://CycleEdmonton.ca. I’ll be submitting this letter and your response to the site as well.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter.

Sincerely,

[your name]