I spoke at City Hall about CAR DEPENDENCY in London, Ontario
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- Опубликовано: 25 сен 2023
- I'm sharing my speech at London's City Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee from way back in March 2023, where I highlighted the incredible importance of cycling in our urban landscape. As a 28-year-old professional, my fiancée and I have chosen a unique approach to mobility that includes cycling as a major part of our lives.
Linktree: bendurham.ca/links/
🚴♂️ Prioritizing Cycling:
With just one car between us, we've embraced a cycling lifestyle, supported by two electric assist e-bikes and even an electric scooter for fun! We've made cycling our preferred mode of transportation, accounting for 85% of our journeys, demonstrating the practicality and benefits of sustainable mobility.
🏙️ Urban Challenges and Cycling:
Living in London's urban sprawl, cycling has become our solution to the above-average sprawl and traffic congestion. During the committee meeting, I shared my concerns about the challenges faced by families in London and emphasized the environmental unsustainability of over-reliance on cars.
💡 A Different Path:
Imagine a city where active transportation and cycling are more accessible and encouraged. I explored how a shift towards cycling infrastructure could address the cost of living crisis, retain young professionals in the city, and boost local business activity. Through better cycling infrastructure, we can make a difference in multiple aspects of our community.
🌆 Building Vibrant Communities:
I dove into studies that show how vibrant downtowns and prosperous businesses can result from increased cycling and walking infrastructure. By reducing car dependency, we can create an environment that not only benefits our health and environment but also enhances our local economy.
📊 Facts and Figures:
Throughout my speech, I presented compelling statistics, like the high cost of vehicle ownership and its impact on families' finances. Additionally, I touched on Toronto's experience, where improved cycling infrastructure led to increased customer traffic for local businesses, highlighting the potential economic benefits for London as well.
🌟 Positive Change Ahead:
I concluded my speech by expressing excitement for London's future with its Mobility Master Plan guiding urban development. By embracing cycling and active transportation, we have the chance to reshape our city, create equitable neighbourhoods, and foster economic growth while reducing our carbon footprint.
🗣️ Join the Conversation:
If you're passionate about sustainable urban development, the future of mobility, and the positive impact of cycling, this video is a must-watch. Let's engage in a meaningful dialogue about the power of cycling to transform our cities and enhance our quality of life. Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to stay connected to more discussions on urban planning, sustainability, and positive change.
Thank you for tuning in and being a part of this journey towards a more bike-friendly, vibrant, and eco-conscious London! 🌱🚴♀️
Top work. I've got a speech to give this Thursday on a high street pedestrianisation petition I ran. Just over 2k signatures in a town of 40k...which I'm really happy with :)
Oh that's awesome! Whereabouts, roughly?
Leighton Buzzard, UK :)
Good on you Ben
Thanks! Takes a lot to speak against the grain... but it needs to happen!
Great job. Jason would be so proud of you.
Haha thanks!
As a European guy who just looked at a map of London (Maple syrup edition) due to watching a video by NJB, one thing stood out to me. You had an opportunity to build many small shortcuts for bikes and pedestrians, but there are few if any. Is it any wonder that traffic is bad, when the alternatives haven't been considered during construction? A simple shortcut between two streets would be a gamechanger for a lot of places, especially if you later add bike lanes (separated from traffic that is).
As someone who used to live in London, we make our own shortcuts. There’s lots of loose or missing fence boards in London haha
I agree though, we shouldn’t have to trespass and remove fence boards and cut wires on metal fences
@@somethingsomething404 Also, just the paths that are separated from traffic. Why don't you have them all over?
Great job, this is the best way to make change 👏👏
It really is! Get out there, too, if you can :)
Having bike racks in buildings/ businesses would be huge as well as having off road bike lanes.
Great ! 🎉
Not just bikes and RMTransit youtube channels posted videos surrounding the issues mentioned in your speech.
Thank you!🎉
You’re welcome 😊
Bravo sir!
Thanks 🙏
Great job. 👏 I’m so surprised that I don’t see more e-bikes on the road given gas is 5.49 a gallon here in my state.
I KNOW RIGHT?! Especially when most vehicle trips in the US are less than 3 miles. How aren't people biking more??
Gas is 8$ per gallon here and people still drive when traveling 500m
Happy Not Just Bikes noises
True that! 😂
Well put, we need better transit, more bike lanes, and less car traffic.
I left London(ON) for Vancouver and it was so worth it.
Fleeing to Amsterdam wasn’t an option for me.
Keep fighting the good fights to improve fake London. I fear one day I may return..
This is excellent
Thanks so much! :)
They took away a car lane in a few streets downtown and I have never seen people using the bike lane, but traffic is more backed up.
Some of these solutions can end up reducing efficiency, which increases costs for everything.
For a lot of people time is money. Spending time in transportation doesn't make good financial sense. Also consider the increased exposure to crime on public transit.
Any way you slice it, a bus that stops frequently will add time to transportation. Ride sharing could be a better solution.
I'm a London Knights Season Ticket holder and I hate driving from Mt Brydges to get to games. Traffic is always slow, drivers can be abnoxious, and finding parking is hard and expensive. I wish I could take a train or a bus whos schedule is frequent and plentiful
Robust public transportation help prevent homelessness. From what I remember about 25% of homeless had a job but lost it when their car broke and they couldn't afford to get it fixed. Without the car the loss they couldn't get to work so lost their job, and then their apartment
That makes SO much sense. I believe it's also called transportation poverty.
Exactly because I have lost jobs due to lack of transportation in a car-dependent area. Employers expect workers to have reliable transportation, but when there are no other alternatives besides driving, it becomes a challenge.