Praying for Safe Streets

As I sat in the chair of the health-care professionals who keeps me ticking along this past week, she asked whether I still cycled regularly. I do, although in retirement I no longer ride to work in Belleville, although Ruth, my wife, still does. I hadn't realized that the person asking the question doesn't drive, for health reasons, and walks everywhere or takes public transit. She commented on the inconsideration of Belleville drivers and wondered if I'd had close calls as a cyclist, which I have, far too often.

The safety of pedestrians and cyclists has been very much in the news in Toronto of late, as a number of people have been struck and killed in recent weeks. In fact, since the city announced a new safety program called Vision Zero two years ago nearly 100 people have died as the result of collisions.

While European countries and cities have been spending billions of euros to develop cycle lanes and improve safety for pedestrians Canada lags far behind. Former TO mayor Rob Ford blustered about the "war on cars" during his infamous term, and was opposed to developing more cycle lanes. I heard a foolish Calgary councilor talking about the "cult" of cyclists in that city. It seems to me that our culture has venerated the automobile. The cycling advocates I hear speak about evidence based decisions and cite the reduction in collisions and improvement in both health and traffic flow where non-vehicular traffic solutions are taken to heart.

It's a financial matter as well. Sustaining cycling/pedestrian infrastructure comes in at about 25 cents per kilometre compared to 80 cents for cars.



Copenhagen commuters

Sweden, which is also a northern latitude country,  developed Vision Zero as well as a more recent initiative with the goal of reducing deaths to zero. Other cities around the world are addressing the effects of vehicle-produced air pollution, so are investing in public transit, cycling infrastructure and pedestrian walkways. Some have prohibited vehicular traffic on certain days.

While the bible doesn't say a word about pedestrian and cycling safety, it does invite us to care for the planet and one another. And need I point out that Jesus walked everywhere, other than the occasional boat or donkey ride.

We're off to Toronto today, so do say a prayer or three for us as we hoof it around the city!

Thoughts?