by Jo-dee Burbach of Cycle Stratford | Stratford City Council | BIA Board Member and A&E Committee Chair | ATAC
Embrace Active Transportation Downtown and everywhere! It’s great for people, the planet, and even the economy!
Active transportation (AT) is defined as any mode of transportation that is fuelled primarily by human muscle power – walking, cycling, scooting, or rollerblading (and many other wheeled options!). In Stratford, we are in a lucky in many ways: we have a very walkable and bikeable city because of our smaller size, and for the most part it’s possible to walk or cycle safely through Stratford within a reasonable amount of time to get from point A to point B.
We know that AT is great for individuals – it’s healthier, more economical (lower gas bills, no parking fees) and is often more fun than driving.
But is it beneficial for our Downtown Stratford area to encourage walking and cycling? I would say yes, absolutely.
Not only does it free up parking for those who need it the most, but it’s also good for downtown businesses (see: Why cycling more could be good for the economy | TVO Today).
Safely wheeling your way to where you want to go can sometimes feel like a challenge in Stratford. Especially in our downtown area, road space is at a premium, and we want to keep bicycles off the sidewalks to keep pedestrians safe. When we combine that with a main street that is also a provincial highway, we do have some deficits that act as barriers to helping people feel safe to cycle within our downtown.
So, what are we doing to encourage more AT in our downtown area?
⭐️ Crosswalks: We are planning to add crosswalks for pedestrians at a couple of key locations.
⭐️ Cycle Lanes: Hopefully the MTO will approve the City’s plans to add separated cycle lanes on Erie Street this summer when the street is resurfaced.
⭐️ Bike Parking: Working with ATAC, the BIA is looking to add some more permanent bike parking in several locations.
⭐️ Bike Event: ATAC will also be hosting a Bike Month kickoff event on the morning of June 2 on Market Place (adjacent to Market Square, with the Sunday market happening at the same time). SEE POSTER AND DETAILS BELOW!
⭐️ Car-Free Fridays: And this summer the BIA will be hosting another season of Car-Free Fridays to encourage all those who work downtown to either walk, bike, or take public transit – hope to see you there!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cycling in Downtown Stratford
The bike event below is organized and presented by ATAC.
Jo-Dee Burbach is currently in her second term on Stratford City Council, a founding board member of Cycle Stratford, a member of The City of Stratford’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC), and a beloved Downtown Stratford BIA Board Member.
On being a member of the BIA Board: “As a small business owner and entrepreneur, as well as a City Councillor, I’m excited to serve on the Downtown Stratford BIA this term. It’s my privilege to act as a bridge between business owners and the City to help sustain and improve our vibrant downtown core.”
