Shane Bergdahl

and on Twitter (@ShaneBergdahl)

—– Original Message —–
1. Do you ride a bicycle? For leisure? Exercise? Commuting? How often?

I currently do not own a bicycle. I will be looking at purchasing one next year.

2. Similarly, do you walk or take transit? How often?

Well, I’m doing a lot of walking right now. I don’t normally walk as much as I should however am looking at changing that. I take transit on occasion.

3.Do you feel comfortable/safe riding on the road with traffic?
a.What about your family? If not, why? How would you change bicycle infrastructure to make cyclists feel more safe?

Some areas would be ok however many roads are too busy for me to feel safe. Bike paths or lanes is the way to go with our ever increasing population.

4. How do you celebrate Bike Month (June) in Edmonton?

I didn’t. I was too busy planning the Mill Woods Canada Day Celebration.

5. The number of cyclists in this city grew over 150% between 1994 and 2005, with over 25,000 trips made daily by bicycle, and we’ve seen even more rapid growth since 2005. Last year, City Council moved to earmark 5% of the Transportation Capital Budget toward Active Transportation Projects. This falls short of the 10% required to complete the bicycle and sidewalk strategies, and delays their completion for 25-50 years. What are your spending priorities in relation to active transportation?

We need to offer alternatives to driving. We also need to encourage “Living Local”. I will need to look at what is currently planned and for what. Many of our roads are falling apart and we need to get more people using transit and bikes.

6. The 10-year Bicycle Transportation Plan calls for bikeways to be constructed across the city, making safe paths within neighbourhoods and connecting them to a City-wide network of bike corridors. Nearly 500 km of bikeways, covering the entire city, can be built for less than the cost of a single overpass. Given that cycling reduces the use of single-occupant vehicles, easing congestion and freeing parking spaces, and builds stronger, healthier communities, and is extremely cost-effective: would you commit to fully-funding the Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) if elected?

Yes

7. Which specific departments and branches do you feel have a say in cycling issues? Who needs to be at the table to coordinate an effective strategy?

I do not have the answer to this question at this time.

8. Edmonton Zoning Bylaw #12800 includes requirements for bicycle parking. Unfortunately, this requirement is minimal, only applies to developments since 2001, and isn’t always enforced, leaving the city with inadequate bike parking. Secure parking facilities are critical for cyclists, as bicycles are easy targets for thieves. About 10 bicycles can be parked in the space of a single car-parking stall. What is your opinion on car & bicycle parking requirements, especially in the downtown and also in new, mid- and high-density redevelopments?

Bicycle parking needs to be increased, period.

9. Most cities our size have a municipal education program to help residents, businesses and institutions choose healthy, active modes of transportation. Despite a visible increase in the number of cyclists in Edmonton, the City Transportation branch currently has no education programs for cyclists. How would you (or the administration) encourage more people to choose a bike over a private automobile?

I do not have enough information yet to answer this question.

10. Do you have a recent photo of yourself riding your bicycle? Please send it to us digitally!

Sorry. Check back next spring.