MPP Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) is the NDP Critic for Active Transportation, and he is putting forward Vulnerable Road User (VRU) legislation as a private member’s bill. Bill 40 is the Moving Ontarians Safely Act.
To mark this occasion and to bring further attention to the issues addressed in the bill, he has been spending most of the past week riding his bike from Ottawa to Toronto, with several community consultations along the way. Today, he held a consultation, and a community bike ride was organized to accompany him from Scarborough to Queen’s Park.
Here is the group at Variety Village, on the Danforth just a bit east of Birchmount.
Lining up and getting ready to go.
Here we go.
Apparently Joel is very much into endurance cycling.
Most of our Marshalls were wearing orange vests from Bells on Bloor.
The bike lane is completely filled.
Jess from Friends and Families for Safe Streets.
Waiting to cross Broadview.
Off we go.
Lanrick, Bicycle Mayor of Toronto.
Across the viaduct.
Turning south on Bay.
This bike is used as part of a program in Scarborough to get seniors out and about.
Riding south on Bay.
Rob checks his watch.
Always comforting to be riding with some of my favourite bike people.
Arriving at Nathan Phillips Square.
We gather by the Henry Moore.
Joel greets us.
and asks “Who wants safer streets?”
He introduces our mayor, Olivia Chow.
Olivia tells us about how she was doored, and how at the time and in that instance, she felt apologetic for no good reason. She supports efforts like Bill 40, and says that there is more to do. She reminds us that we need to press the government for side guards on trucks, an issue that she has cared about for many years.
Getting ready for a group picture.
My version of the group pictures. Others were there with real cameras.
Now we are off to Queen’s Park.
Now on University Ave.
Waiting for a light on Queen’s Park Crescent.
Our marshals at work.
We form a circle on the lawn,
and Joel tells us in point form what Bill 40 asks for:
In the event that a driver critically injures or kills a vulnerable road user, there will be the following consequences.
- one year license suspension
- driver retraining program
- community service that is relevant to road safety
- requirement that the culpable motorist must attend court for sentencing and to hear victim impact statements.
The mike is passed around, and there are several other speakers. Apologies that I didn’t get many names.
Peggy from United Senior Citizens of Ontario tells us about how road safety is critically important for the ability for seniors to get around.
MPP Jessica Bell is a co sponsor of the bill; she put it forward the last time.
Alison from Cycle Toronto.
This woman was hit by a driver in a dump truck and lost her leg. She had to go to a driver’s training program, but the dump truck driver did not.
Robin also talks from the perspective of a mother with younger children about how road safety directly affects how she and her kids are able to get around the city.
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles makes a surprise appearance and thanks Joel and others for putting forward Bill 40. Parliament returns to session tomorrow, and she promises that not only will her party hold the government to account; they will also work to get things done.
Jess adds a final note of thanks to Joel, saying that his ride is a clear and visible sign of commitment to the cause.
Wonderful to see so many people from the community out in support. Thanks to everyone who rode with us. Thanks also to Cycle Toronto, Toronto East Cyclists and others for organizing the event. Finally, thanks to MPP Joel Harden and his staff for setting an inspiring example.
Rob Z’s blog has a good summary of some of the issues at hand.
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