Dear Editor:
RE: Green lanes, Oct. 17.
John Scott’s letter regarding “green lanes” for cycling raises several very important points. We need to do a much better job in Centre Wellington in creating the infrastructure to create safe, accessible lanes for biking.
Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports among older adults, and it is a common means of transportation for kids and youth. While we have a few smatterings of paved routes that can be used by cyclists, we are well below where we should be.
There are several things we could do to make Centre Wellington safer for cyclists of all age. If we do so, it will help to keep our citizens active and it will attract cycling tourists to the area.
A visit to Midland and surrounding areas would be informative for our municipal leaders. They have an amazing, well-used network of paved cycling trails that we could emulate.
Here are some suggestions in addition to Scott’s recommendations:
– when Middlebrook Road is repaved, ensure that there is at least 1 metre of protected cycle lane on both sides of the road. Middlebrook is a major route to Elora from Guelph and Waterloo. Fixing this road with a design for cycling will attract substantial numbers of cyclists to our area. The speed limit should be kept at 60km/h with clear speed postings, including a flashing “your speed” sign;
– stop building sidewalks. Instead, build paved multi-use paths that can be shared by pedestrians and cyclists of any age; and
– ensure that any major roadway between Elora and Fergus includes green lanes.
It was a disappointment to see how the repairs to South River Road in Elora failed to improve safety for cyclists. In fact, it feels riskier riding in the narrowed roadway now than it was several years ago.
Let’s not repeat that mistake when roads are repaired or built anew in our area.
John Hirdes,
Elora