Embrace the Bike
I know, I didn’t put a post up last week. I apologize. I was in a far too negative mood to write last week. Hard to imagine with some of the posts I’ve done 
I have something to tell you all. It’s so silly that it’s absurd but, I’m going to tell you anyway. You can laugh. I won’t be hurt.
I’m going to tell you my dream for our city. Ready?
One day, I want Windsor, Ontario to be known as the most bicycle friendly city in the world.
It’s a lofty goal. Just imagine a city that worshiped the bicycle instead of the car. Picture Tecumseh Road, one of our four-lane arterial roads, with one full lane dedicated to cyclists, in each direction. Crazy huh?
How can I hope for this to happen? (Well, I considered a magic potion in the drinking water however, it’s very difficult to find a sorcerer in this town, with that kind of ability.) For this city to embrace the bike it needs to become an important part of our economy. The bike needs to become more than a toy. It could. It can.
I wrote a post back in the spring, it was before the change-over from blogspot I think, because it’s not listed in our archive. That post talked about ways our city/region could benefit economically by embracing the bike. Here’s a quick list:
Tourism/hospitality - day trips and longer tours along the shores of the county including stops at local points of interest. Check out this company that offers tours of the Niagara Region.
Industry/Light Manufacturing - With the manufacturing know-how and talent in the region Windsor/Essex could be a hotbed of custom bike builders and specialty parts makers. Remember bikes are more than toys and bikes can be built in small quantities with a premium paid for craftsmanship and attention to detail. I may never be able to afford a bike from this company but you never know.
I have told you my little dream because I wanted you to know that I want my home town to be a better place. Sometimes what I write is a big downer. That’s not me, it’s what I see around me. I advocate for the worst-case scenario sometimes because I think people need to be reminded that it’s not all skittles and beer. That maybe we need to find a new way.
So, dream with me. Let’s start this campaign quietly and without fanfare.
Embrace the bike.
Post Feedback
james i like to think that the campaign has already started. the windsoreats/scaledown city cycle is this sunday and windsoreats has had wine trail rides each month since july. our reasoning behind starting these was to get people out of their cars and on their bikes and just to think about their bikes a little more. we can’t change people’s mindsets overnight but hopefully overtime they start thinking about using their bikes for more than just recreational tools and use them to go to work and get around the city.
i would love to see windsor as a bicycle friendly city! but i think in our case it might take baby steps to get there. so these rides are my baby steps.
that’s my dream anyway
Imagine how quiet a neighbourhood could be if there were more bicycles and walkers, less pollution, narrower streets, more land devoted to urban farming/parks because the need to build driveways and garages has disappeared (almost), and yes dedicated full lane bike commuter routes.
Not a bad dream at all James.
For years, there has been cycling events and uprisings. I think it was back in ‘01 or ‘02 that we started Critical Mass here in the city. The first CM ride attracted about 75 cyclists, in-line skaters and pedestrians. It was great. However, it soon died off after the organizers got burnt out (CM isn’t supposed to have “organizers”: it’s supposed to be self-propagating by the participants) Same with the City Street Celebration, Windsor’s addition to the World Car-Free festivities. After two years - same thing. The Windsor Bicycling Committee is still limping along, but from what I’ve heard, the city has pretty well neutered it.
Like James’ said; cycling needs to become “normal”. As of now, it’s just drunks who’ve lost their licence, cheapskates and wacko eco-terrorists. I don’t know which category I fit into (#3 probably), but I wish people got to see their communities from the saddle of their bikes. They would come to appreciate the details that you can never see whizzing by at 60 KMH in your minivan.
LOL @ #3 - all the way, Chris!!!
Some interesting exchanges in the Letters to The Editor in the Star this week re - cyclists rationalizing using sidewalks instead of roads. The irony is almost stiffling.
It is interesting how the built environment’s influences on health go beyond individual lifestyle choices. The urban form impacts active transportation and work-related and leisure-time activity. Within this context, built environment interventions promote physical activity rather than try to change lifestyle behaviour. According to Sustainable Urbanism and A.G Macbeth, (“Bicycle Lanes in Toronto,” ITE Journal, Paril 1999, pp. 38-46.):
“Promoted biking, converting four-lane roads to two lanes with biking and parking, narrowed streets, and planted trees can lead to an increase in biking after street redesign of up to 23%.”
The correlation between our local built environment and our health, happiness and economic well-being is startling!
What else IS there in life?!?
When that light when on for me I knew I had to be involved in getting people to see the linkages!
The one aspect of the correlation that I try to convey (after the light went on for me regarding the link to the natural environment which we are a part of) is that the local built environment doesn’t just encompass OUR health, but encompasses the health, happiness and economic well-being of ALL living things. Granted, other living things do not work in terms of our economic currency of money. But everything does have its own type of ‘economic well-being’ that is dependent on the health of the natural environment. Victoria’s blog below is a testament to this.
I cycled to our CSA meeting this week and I forgot how relaxing it can be to go for a long ride. My MP3 player battery died so I took off my headphones and enjoyed the sounds of crickets and birds. On the return trip a heron scared the stuff out of me as it exploded out of the culvert that I was passing. Back at my car I noticed a colourful caterpillar had hitched a ride on my sleeve. To me the trip was so peaceful and a good reminder to take 2 wheels instead of 4 as much as I can. If the city was a bit more cooperative, perhaps I could leave the car at home altogether instead of driving it half way.
James, - your article was published January 23rd to be specific. Here’s the link to your old article “Windsor, Ontario - Bike Capital of Canada?”
That was back when you were an aspiring ScaleDowner, actually
http://bixi.ca/index.php?page_id=1&lang=en
Here’s an excellent idea.
It is about time they brought this to Canada! Great idea.
KDDUCK, I can go for that! Considering how many bikes I have had stolen. This idea has taken off in Europe and I think a few cities in the U.S. are moving to implement the idea.
there are similar systems in europe. I know WashingtonDC launched their first bike sharing program this year http://www.smartbikedc.com
france has had a program for some time as well called velib, london, england too. paris initially installed 10, 500 bikes and the program is so successful they were expecting to double the number by the end of the year. and when i was in rome this summer i noticed their new bike sharing system called “roma n bike”
the whole thing seems pretty fantastic
James, could be on to something. We should embrace the bicycle.
We have ideal conditions for Windsor to become a bike capital. We have probably one of the flattest cities in Ontario, other than the Central & Ouellette “humps” there is very little grade to deal with, combine that with the long snow free periods in this city. If dressed properly, you could cycle from March to November without having to worry about snow.
We would need to work on driver’s attitudes however. It’s sad that you have to feel your life is in jeopardy everytime you take to the roads. Don’t understand what I mean? Try a ride on Tecumseh or Wyandotte St. E. beyone the end of our pittifully short bike lanes.
kdduck, thanks for the link, glad the idea is making its way to Canada.
The best one IMO is in Paris: http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/
The Paris version was launched following the sucess of the one in Lyon, France.
The Paris system features 20,000 bicycles and 1,450 stations. At no point inside Paris City Proper are you ever farther than 300 meters from a station. How’s that for coverage. This should be the standard to strive towards.
Both in Lyon and Paris the systems were installed and paid for by advertising companies in exchange for advertising rights to all city bus shelters, and in Paris, some billboards.
In Paris the deal is as follows:
In Lyon:
The only problem with that idea is that it is far too logical and progressive to ever work here.
The City of Windsor would probably rather “go it alone” just like our new suburban arena…
You are right Andrew, only Windsor would build an arena in the suburbs while most cities are putting them closer to their downtown.
This would be gerat for Windsor. Think of how many students would use this system? I know I would ride a lot more because friends of mine who don’thave bikes would ride as well. Plus there is a place to actually put the bike, not against some pole where someone could steal your seat or your front tire (both have happened to me in the past).
As Andrew stated it makes sense so I doubt Windsor will look at it. Besides they would want to make money off of it. It has to have a balance sheet in Windsor or they won’t do it.
The only thing that I can see working against something like this coming to Windsor is the density required to make this type of program work. Lyon, Paris and Montreal are all MUCH more dense than Windsor. Thus this program probably wouldn’t be financially sustainable or justifiable. I believe (and forgive me if I’m wrong), that Windsor is the least dense mid to large size city in all of Canada. These reasons are why light rail transit probably wouldn’t be feasible in Windsor either.
Aside from the density argument, if the city is going to throw money at crazy ideas like the canal, I’d rather that money go to something more useful like a bike system or light rail transit.
Some food for thought. Minimum residential density require for transit modes:
Dial-a-bus(Many origins to many destinations)- 6 dwelling units per acre
Dial-a-bus(Fixed destination or subscription service)- 3.5 to 5
Local bus(’minimum’ 1/2 mile route spacing, 20 buses/day)- 4
Local bus(’intermediate’ 1/2 mile spacing, 40 buses/day)- 7
Local bus(frequent’ 1/2 mile spacing, 120 buses/day)- 15
Express bus-reached on foot(5 buses during 2-hour period)- 15
Express bus-reached by car(5 to 10 buses during 2hr period)- 3
Light rail(5-minute headways during peak hour) - 9 (average density for a corridor of 25 to 200 square miles)
Rapid transit(5-minute headways)- 12 (average density for corridor 100 to 150 square miles)
Commuter rail(20 trains per day)- 1 to 2
Cost per transit technology (approximate cost per mile (Millions)):
Heavy rail- $50-$250
Commuter rail- $3-$25
Light rail- $20-$60
Modern streetcar- $10-$25
Heritage streetcar- $2-$12
Bus rapid transit- $4-$50
Express bus- $1-$2
Redefine Yourself, you are probably right about Windsor being the least dense city for light rail. We will need a whole new mind set in this city and county before we change our ways, in trying to buy farmland far from anything. It seems that this city and in most cases its citizens are stuck in a mid 20th century mind set.
Urbanrat….
The city council mindset is very dense.
The bikes would more than likely fall under competition against the new hybrid buses Eddie ordered.
We would end up with the city fighting it just like they are with the bridge vs. the tunnel.
Then the whole city would be under the heritage bylaw restricting development.
Call me cynical but council is predictable.
RY, I agree perhaps with the density argument. However, when listing of transport mode costs like this is misleading.. sorta apples and oranges and watermelons….
Streetcars and the like are proving to be are more sustainable format while busses will always be linked to a faultering energy source.
Density always seems to be the common denominator. Is there anything on the horizon that will see more density in this city? Anything?
I wasn’t trying to compare all of the modes of transport to each other. All I was trying to give was an understanding that based on CURRENT methods of valuation, these are the approximate values. You are absolutey correct that comparing systems that use different energy sources is like comparing apples to oranges. Just wanted to give some context for the monetary values associated with the different modes.
Population density is a huge issue that will have to be dealt with in Windsor if any of these ideas are ever going to be realized in a sustainable manner.
Why Hamilton craves light rail From today’s Spectator
THE METROLINX REPORT: Transforming transportation
ANDREW DRESCHEL
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/440290
(Sep 24, 2008)
It’s probably going to take experts a good year to do a cost-benefit analysis on whether Hamilton should get new bus or light-rail transit lines as part of our share of Metrolinx’s stunning $50-billion regional transportation plan.
But there’s already no doubt what’s best for Hamilton.
For a city desperately in need of rejuvenation, light rail is really the only way to go.
Fixed rail is not only more glamorous and image friendly than a bus system, it also offers a more attractive alternative to the car — for some of the same superficial reasons I’ve just noted.
Popular and political sentiment is already demonstrating a marked rail-bias in this town.
Preliminary feedback to city surveys suggest the public is overwhelmingly in favour of rail over bus.
And after his eye-popping summer tour of light-rail systems in Calgary, Charlotte, N.C., and Portland, Ore., Mayor Fred Eisenberger is in danger of mutating from acolyte to prophet.
Along with many other devotees, Eisenberger sees light rail as a transforming agent that will promote economic growth, civic pride and inner city intensification.
But that doesn’t mean we should bet this month’s gas money that in 15 years we’ll be riding the rails from McMaster University to Centennial Parkway, and from James Street to Munro airport.
After all, it’s estimated that a light-rail system would cost about $1.1 billion as opposed to about $480 million for an express bus system using dedicated traffic lanes.
And a rapid bus system is not only cheaper to build than fixed rail, it’s obviously more flexible as far as future expansion and contraction of routes.
What it doesn’t remotely have is sex or snob appeal.
Light rail has both.
Studies show that one of the main drivers in getting more people out of their cars and onto public transit is image.
But like it or not, people who use buses are frequently seen as wanting in, well, let’s say, status.
In the eyes of our privileged car culture, buses are for the disabled and the disenfranchised, the elderly and working poor, struggling students and generic losers.
Light rail doesn’t appear to have that stigma.
Anecdote after anecdote suggests that hopping onto electrically powered street trains is generally regarded as more urbane and sophisticated than clambering onto buses.
Although this high-nosed perception is hard to quantify as a factor in light rail’s popularity, studies routinely show that rail does take the lead when it comes to growing ridership on public transit.
It’s not only seen as more modern, stylish, spacious and enviro-friendly than bus travel, it’s generally regarded as a safe, reliable and comfortable alternative to the passenger car.
Opting for a light rail over an express bus service would certainly be a big, bold and costly step.
But it would elevate this city’s image and transform its inner transportation patterns like nothing else short of a subway system.
It’s good to know that making a recommendation on which system to adopt is one of the priorities in Metrolinx’s overarching plan for co-ordinating transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Let’s just hope there’s scope within the cost-benefit analysis to incorporate a vision for this city as well as the region around it.
Andrew Dreschel’s commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. [email protected] 905-526-3495
Image is everything…
Just when you think theres hope for Windsor, you see an article like this from Amsterdam…
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/a-lesson-from-amsterdam.php
They’re cutting their truck traffic and emissions in half with Cargo trams!!! http://www.citycargo.nl/index_eng.htm
Hamilton is a great comparison to Windsor. Their mayor visit Portland and Calgary for innovative ideas while our mayor is trying to hock onions in Germany..??!!! I wonder if Eddie ever jumped on a streetcar while over there and had any ideas for Windsor besides putting vegetables on a jet plane…..!??
By the way.. where is Windsor with a regional transit operation?? Who’s draggin their feet on this???
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/us/05bike.html?_r=2&em&ex=1194411600&en=b6e48b0e0f9fd3ca&ei=5087&oref=slogin
I just followed the liink back to my earlier article and I included the link above. This was the story that originally inspired my “Embrace the Bike” feelings.
Thanks for the article James. It is very inspirational. And as Andrew says, there’s no reason why Windsor couldn’t do more to head in this direction. I would start with the basics. As an example, when I moved here a couple of weeks ago, I went to city hall to pick up a map of bike routes, which the last three cities I’ve lived in provided free of charge. No such luck this time. The guy at the information counter looked at me blankly, spent about 10 minutes staring at his computer and then suggested that I call the head of the city’s committees. WTF? Perhaps a route map does exist and I asked the wrong person? If anybody could enlighten me, I’d appreciate it.
Also, there don’t seem to be bicycle lock-ups even in the most obvious locations. For example, in front of St. Clair’s downton location, an educational institution.
And yes, the drivers are infuriating, but they would be subdued by an increased number of cyclists.