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Question 1: Promoting Active
Transportation
What
programs and initiative will you champion to increase the safety of both cyclists
and pedestrians in Scarborough?
Question 2: Support for Cycling
Infrastructure
Will
you support Cycle Toronto’s ‘Minimum Grid’ campaign (http://minimumgrid.ca) to build 100 km of protected
bike lanes on main streets, and 100 km of bike lanes on residential streets by
2018? If you do not support this campaign, please let us know why and detail
what cycling policies you do support.
Question 3: Cycling in
Scarborough
What
do you believe is the greatest impediment to increasing cycling for commuting
and recreation in Scarborough?
Candidates for Councillor, Ward 36
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Candidates for Councillor, Ward 35
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Candidates for Trustee, Toronto District School Board,
Ward 18
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Candidates for Trustee,
Toronto Catholic District School Board, Ward 12
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Candidates for Trustee,
Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Ward 2
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Candidates for Trustee,
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud, Ward 4
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The candidates below replied
to our survey, and are presented in alphabetical order.
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Gary Crawford
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Paul Bocking
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Gaye Dale
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Ace Alvarez
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Masihullah Mohebzada
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Anwarul Kabir
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Tim Heffernan
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Robert Spencer
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Chris Upwood
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Elizabeth Moyer
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Don Stuart
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The candidates below DID NOT
reply to our survey.
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Ed Green
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Sharif Ahmed
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Abida Abida
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Paulina Corpuz
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Julien Baeta
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Calude-Reno D’Aigle
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Robert McDermott
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Teferi Assefa
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Azim Dewan
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Nancy Crawford
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Pascal Fenkam
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Mario Gunanayagam
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Andre Musters
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Michelle Berardinetti
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Naser Kaid
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Ronald Nevins-Selvadurai
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Jean-Baptiste Foaleng
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Antoine Lutumba-Ntumba
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Joy Robertson
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Saima Shaikh
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Parthi Kandavel
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Ryan Nutter
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Mohamed Sekkak
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Tobin Christian
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Shaid Uddin
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Michael Opoku
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Jason Woychesko
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John Stergianis
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Gary
Crawford, Councillor Candidate, Ward 36
2275
Kingston Rd.
Campaign
Office: 416-266-8683
Cell:
647-606-4024
1. Scarborough
is a diverse community with many cycling enthusiasts. While bike lanes exist,
expansion and accessibility of trails and routes is further needed to encourage
bike use. I supported a bike lane along Kingston Road which will eventually be
part of the Scarborough Waterfront Trail. It is my hope that a proper bike
network will connect the waterfront communities of Scarborough and eventually
to the Port Union and Durham regions. Pedestrian
safety is of utmost importance to me, especially the safety of our children
traveling to and from school. I have worked, and will continue to work,
alongside the Toronto Police Service, local school boards and parent groups, to
address specific pedestrian safety concerns. Initiatives which I championed at
City Council include speed zone safety reviews, the construction of sidewalks
where feasible, and configuring traffic signage to better manage the flow of
traffic and needs of the greater community.
2. I am supportive of
constructing bike lanes on streets where feasible and appropriate. I am also in
favour of additional trails and bike paths that connect our diverse Scarborough
communities, and I remain concerned about the safety of cyclists that use our
main streets. If re-elected, I pledge to continue working with the cycling
community, residents and stakeholders to put cycling infrastructure where
appropriate.
3.The single greatest
impediment to increasing cycling for commuting and recreation in Scarborough is
our lack of space on existing roads and the increasing amount of vehicular
traffic. Gridlock is a serious issue in our City and promoting initiatives such
as cycling, encouraging carpooling, and advocating further rapid transit
expansion, will help reduce our carbon footprint and the conjestion on City
streets. Education for residents highlighting the benefits of cycling will
further encourage cycling growth in Scarborough.
Masihullah Mohebzada, Councillor Candidate, Ward 36
Cell: 647-764-3464
1. What we need is to put
in some money in to teaching people how to ride a bike safely. We need back
line I promise every bike rider in ward 36 if elected I will fight to get bike
lanes on kingston road and other roads.
2. I support the 100km bike
lanes in the city of Toronto. We loss so many people that are killed when
biking we can lower the number of people killed in bikes by put bike lanes
around the city of Toronto. We don't need such a big side walk what we need is
bike lanes.
3. we have to proof to them
that it's safe if you bike around the city that's something I think we can't do
right now as I always say I know many people that would like to bike around but
they don't feel safe cause there is no bike lanes that is one thing I promise
the people of ward36 I will get you guys bike lanes If elected.
Robert Spencer, Councillor Candidate, Ward 36
1094 Kingston Rd.
Campaign Office:
647-633-9710
1. As a City Councillor I will champion protected
bike lanes on as many major routes in the city as possible as well as bike
lanes on smaller residential streets to help ensure the safety of cyclists in
our city. In order to help ensure the safety of pedestrians in Scarborough I will
work closely with my constituents to identify any areas where pedestrian paths
are inadequate or where additional traffic signage may be useful.
2. As a City Councillor I will be proud to support
Toronto’s Minimum Grid.
3. I believe the greatest impediment to increasing
cycling in Scarborough is the lack of good bike paths. I believe that
implementing the Minimum Grid will help to address this issue and I would also
be interested in looking at other opportunities for bike paths in areas such as
the parks along the side of the GO line to encourage more recreational cycling.
Paul Bocking, Councillor Candidate, Ward 35
3254 Danforth Ave.
Cell: 647-949-7285
1. I would introduce Ward cycling awareness days:
high profile events with local community groups like the Ward 35 Cycling
Committee, to increase awareness among motorists of the presence of cyclists on
Scarborough streets. I am also very interested in working with local parents,
teachers, principals and trustees to encourage greater numbers of children and
youth to ride bikes to school. Local neighbourhood meetings can be used more to
discuss resident concerns around traffic speed and to develop responsive
projects, such as addressing resident concerns for additional crosswalks, like
at Victoria Park by Donside Avenue, ensuring safer access to the Taylor Massey
trail. I also support attaching side guards to City trucks.
2. Yes, I support Cycle Toronto’s Minimum
Grid. I also support better connecting the Taylor-Massey trail west of Victoria
Park Avenue, with the Warden Woods trail between Pharmacy and Warden Avenue.
Outdoor bike racks at Victoria Park subway station are frequently full on
weekdays, we need more bike parking space here, and at Kennedy and Warden
stations -the latter completely lacks bike racks. I also support negotiating
with future developers of condominium, office and large retailers in the Ward
to include secure bike storage space in their projects.
3. Fast traffic makes our main roads are
risky to ride on. I propose introducing bike sharrows on St. Clair Avenue.
While not offering as much protection as full bike lanes, sharrows are markings
on the pavement to remind motorists to share the road and give a wide berth
when passing cyclists. Pavement conditions are another cycling hazard in
Scarborough. Pot holes and large cracks
are frequently largest close to the curb. We need to put a greater priority on
their repair.
Anwarul Kabir, Councillor Candidate, Ward 35
3092 Danforth Ave, Unit 200, Scarborough, M1l 1B1
Campaign Office: 416-668-7458
1. To give safety for both cyclists and pedestrians i
would initiative paint & bollards (retrofit). As because it helps to
grow f peoples health and
their mentality. Mostly to increases the safety for the people is my
responsibility
2. Yes
3. To keep the good health and sound mind, you need
to do some physical activities, like workout, cycling or swimming and other sports are very
essential. To increase cycling. Education to the people how to maintain the
safety and rules. When people find the road are safety they will start cycling. For the concern recreation, without recreation people
can't use their brain i will have more
public places like park and library,
affordable health cert re..
Chris Upwood, Councillor Candidate, Ward 35
Campaign Office: (416) 929-0002
1. I am in favour of separated cycling lanes where
appropriate. Maintenance and repairs of roads must be improved to provide safer
cycling conditions. Parking tickets for courier companies should be enforced
providing an incentive to park legally and safely. Closing some downtown
streets to vehicles should be considered. E-bikes are a growing presence on the
roads and should be included in traffic planning.
2. Yes. I support the campaign in general, although I
have not seen details of the plan.
3. Cycling on Ward 35 streets is not safe enough due
to poor road conditions and close proximity of vehicle traffic.
Gaye Dale, Candidate for Trustee, Toronto District
School Board, Ward 18
1. I would like to see more of the Family friendly
initiatives.
2. Yes, I do.
3. At this time in Scarborough the greatest
impediment to cycling is the condition of the roads.
Tim Heffernan, Candidate for Trustee, Toronto
District School Board, Ward 18
Cell: 416-786-4179
1. Anything that promotes more bike lanes, more
bike parking/lock up points, general biking infrastructure. Anything that
promotes the development of mass transit to ease taffic gridlock and make it
easier and safer to ride bikes. As a school trustee, I would promote the TDSB’s
“Active Transportation Charter”, specifically targetting students to walk,
bike, use TTC to school campaigns. At the same time, discourage parents drom
driving their kids to and from school.
2. 100% support for this campaign
3. Density of car traffic, lack of biking
infrastrucure, lack of education and publicity on pro-biking issues.
Elizabeth Moyer, Candidate for Trustee, Toronto
District School Board, Ward 18
Campaign Office: 647-472-4229
1. As
the School Trustee I think itʼs important for students to have an awareness of
safety as pedestrians and cyclists and to support any programs that reach this
goal. Many community members have commented that we no longer seem to have the
awareness that we did previously and so I would support community partners that
are engaged in awareness. I would also like to do a workshop at one of my ward
meetings on this issue. Iʼm also supportive of programs and awareness days that
promote walking or cycling to school.
2. As
someone who does cycle on local roads I know how scary certain roads can be to
travel on. I think itʼs important to create bike lanes where they are most
needed with consultation of the local community. As I saw in my ward, bike
lanes that werenʼt supported by the local community have been removed.
3. I
think the largest impediment in my community is that many students donʼt have
access to bicycles due to cost. I would like to initiate a free bike giveaway
for my Ward. I have been to many of my friendsʼ garages and seen that they have
bikes that their children have outgrown, it would be wonderful if they donated
these bikes to children who canʼt afford bikes.
Don Stuart, Candidate for
Trustee, Toronto District School Board, Ward 18
Thanks for the opportunity
to respond to your questions. I want to offer my support but in two different
‘lanes’....first as a citizen of Scarborough, I am in universal agreement with any initiatives that
promote cycling and walking.. Although I am physically unable to ride at this
point in my life, I have used my bike extensively in the past to go to work and
to do errands. I do understand how much enjoyment and anxiety riding a bike in
this city can bring. I would support any initiatives that will promote the use
of bike. The solution lies in the planning to make paths for riding and walking
more feasible and desirable. Unfortunately Scarborough has not been planned
with this in mind. We will have to reach back and look for areas where putting
the car in the back seat is possible. There will need to work with the city
planners to do so.
However, as trustee and
parent, I am very concerned about promoting the safe use of bikes among our
children. Many of our schools in Ward 18 (Ward 35/36) are located in secluded
areas and students can ride to school with relative safety. Others are near very busy streets where drivers are
not aware that students are going to school. Crossing guards have told me
horror stories of what can happen even at the crosswalks they tend. As a
trustee I would work with system staff
and school staff to promote cycle safety and awareness in all schools...I would
also work with board staff to provide bike racks for kids to safely keep their
bikes in the day when they are at school. I would want to work with councillors
to create the safest possible situations on streets like Midalnd and Kingston
Road and at the same time communicate with police any information of problem
areas where drivers are ignoring the rules of the road.
Ace Alvarez,
Candidate for Trustee, Toronto Catholic School Board, Ward 12
1. Before the Toronto
Catholic District Board, I can spearhead an initiative at TCDSB schools to work
with special interest groups, such as yours, namely "Ward 36
Cyclists" and "TO35Cycles", for the conduct of information
sessions among students, teachers and school administrators on the benefits of
cycling as a mode of transportation to and from school (weather-permitting);
work to provide budget, or organize fundraising efforts for the provision of
bike parking rack at schools where such is absent, and additional racks when
requirement necessitates such.
2. While the provision of
budget -- and deliberations on the project for that matter, are outside my
hopeful and eventual office as Trustee for the Toronto Catholic District School
Board, I am totally in support of the idea for Cycle Toronto’s ‘Minimum Grid’
campaign. Aside from what I already enunciated in my response on Question 1, I
can further support the proponents of the project -- among others, your
organization, in your various efforts, and where my functions allow me to do.
(I wish to mention here that at one function I was at on Saturday, September 13,
2014, a couple who lives in Markham, Ontario was telling me of how they enjoyed
riding their bikes from Markham, Ontario to Yonge and Eglinton -- a good 70
kilometers, round trip, which ride, they said used a mixed composition of bike
trails, minor and major thoroughfares. They stressed that such rides promotes
good physical activity -- which is one of the goals of your club. I thought to
share this information with you to say that your efforts to have a Cycle
Toronto’s ‘Minimum Grid’ is a laudable initiative.)
3. One big impediment is --
as you already mentioned, is the absence of a lane in the major thoroughfares
and arteries of the city, hence, cyclists do not feel safe riding to work,
schools and elsewhere in pursuit of their activities. Further, cyclists will
feel at ease riding should motorists become more aware, through further
information campaigns using multiple media platforms, on sharing the streets
with cyclists. I believe that the current information on this matter is
lacking.
