Road Safety

Car traffic is a life-and-death threat to anyone outside of a car, and often to those in cars too. Over the past few years, we've seen an increase in incidents, followed by some half-baked measures to try and address safety - such as reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40, or adding speed cushions to a busy local street. While these attempted solutions have their value and valid reasons for implementation, continued incidents and aggressive driving behaviours have shown that they are not the be-all-end-all to safe streets in our community.

Resident Design Charrette

A charrette is a short workshop where participants collaboratively work to design something based on all their inputs. In my first 100 days, I would like to host some charrettes where community members can come together to redesign problematic streets for when they are eventually reconstructed.

Tactical Urbanism

Tactical urbanism or tactical placemaking (interchangeable) is when low-cost but visually pleasing solutions are put in place to provide a more human experience on the street while simultaneously acting as a traffic-calming measure. I would propose this as a better-looking alternative to the speed cushions and bendy posts we've seen installed on problematic stretches of road, until more permanent solutions can be funded. Montreal has seen a lot of success in curbing* road injuries, while also creating a more livable and lively atmosphere in their neighbourhoods.

*pun intended

School Drop-offs

I walked to school growing up. I understand the older generations when they claim the young whipper snappers have it too good these days, because I feel like I see more and more kids rely on rides to and from school now. Those additional cars create more havoc near schools during the beginning and end of the school day, which makes it more dangerous to walk, which encourages parents to drive their kids, which creates more havoc, and... you see the cycle.

I'd like to partner with our local school boards (or even individual schools at first) to put together a program to get more kids walking and biking to school again. It's also healthier for the kids, has them gain some more independence, and frees up parents a little more in the morning to start their commutes sooner, or to have more time to relax in an empty house before the workday begins.

Street Design Principles

In broad strokes, I would like to put forward some new design guidelines for street design whenever reconstruction occurs. I would put forward a set of design principles for various 'classes' of roads at the outset, largely based on the results of the design charrettes mentioned in section 01.