Further to Bring on the Bicycles, printed in the April 1 issue of Kingston This Week, I would like to agree that pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers and skateboarders should all enjoy a fair share of Kingston's roads.
The streets in the City of Kingston must be made safe for these responsible, emissions-free and healthy ways to travel. As it is now, we (responsible citizens) must risk our lives moving beside dangerous, noisy, polluting and recklessly speeding (50 Km/hour is too fast) vehicles. Do you know that over 40 000 people die each year in North America due to traffic accidents (not to even mention injuries)? How much stress is caused by parents worrying about their children being hit by cars? Let's make the streets of Kingston safe and improve the quality of life for all our citizens and visitors.
Petitioning the planning department to give non-motorized travelers a fair share of our city's roads is an excellent idea. The city must take action immediately. As much as people want to leave the car at home they often do not because of having to cycle, walk, skateboard or roller blade on streets dominated by absurd and stinky machines - cars, trucks, buses and SUV's. I say "absurd" because considering the precarious state of the environment (clean air or water anyone?) it is so obviously wasteful and selfish to drive unnecessarily. The drivers have been brainwashed into thinking they need an SUV or truck by advertising. With the proper city planning, however there will be convenient and environmentally-friendly alternatives available.
Completely motorized-vehicle-free roads within Kingston would have so many positive effects on our unique and special city. High quality air, more parks where now there are only parking lots, healthier, happier citizens and increased tourism are only a few of the benefits such a change would make. New sectors of the economy would grow such as clean (renewable-energy based) public transportation systems and human-powered delivery services, to name just two.
Kingston's future is what we choose to make it. Turn off the TV, sell your car, put on the sneakers, petition the planning department! Let's help make our city safe, clean and progressive. Then Kingston will become what it truly is: the best place to live in the world.
Ross Victor Hermiston
Kingston, ON
613-542-8288