Michael Waddy

own or ride a bike.

Similarly, do you walk or take transit? How often?
I do frequently walk, or occasionally take public transit to attend university classes.

Do you feel comfortable/safe riding on the road with traffic?
I would feel safe in the summer, but not the spring or fall as drivers are less courteous.

What about your family? If not, why? How would you change bicycle infrastructure to make cyclists feel more safe?
Cyclists should have more respect on the roads, and bike lanes would be a great way to help this out.

How do you celebrate Bike Month (June) in Edmonton?
I have not celebrated Bike Month in Edmonton to date.

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?
Edmonton is in great need of completing many projects, active transportation being one of them. I would request to review current proposals, and see if it would be feasable to increase funding, given all the factors that play into funding and proposals. I think Edmonton does need more bike lanes, as they have in Montreal.

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?
The benefits of having a BTP are huge, and cost-effective which I do support. I would certainly like to look at the plan and see how we could support and fund the plan.

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?
Transportation, Community Development, City Planning, Edmonton Police Service, and groups like yours.

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 is important to incorporate into current and future planning. If the direction to take is a fully bicycle plan, then this needs to also be reflected into parking requirements for cyclists.

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?
Education programs on the benefits of riding would be important. Getting this information out to the public, through workshops, pamphlets, fliers etc would be a good start. Again, incorporating this into the education system would also be a good start.

Do you have a recent photo of yourself riding your bicycle? Please send it to us digitally!
No, I am sorry, I don’t.