Bonus Blog Post: Letter to the Mayor

245 Livingston Blvd.

Baden, Ontario

N3A 2M2

February 25, 2013

100 Regina St. S.

Waterloo, Ontario

N2J 4A8

Dear Mayor Brenda Halloran,

I am a 15 year old student that attends Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School and am currently in Grade 10. It has been brought to my attention that riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is actually illegal in Ontario. (1) The reason I never knew this municipal bylaw had been placed was because I constantly see adults riding their bikes on the sidewalk instead of the designated lanes. I feel strongly that you will want to address this issue because it’s very hazardous for walking pedestrians. 

This issue is very important because cyclists are not following the law and putting pedestrians on the sidewalks in danger. (2) This is becoming a rising issue all over Ontario, and the law needs to be more strictly enforced on all cyclists. I have personally witnessed several bike accidents due to the cyclist riding on the sidewalk or trying to get on/off. It makes neighborhoods and the city much more dangerous when cyclists don’t follow the law and in result put people at risk of being seriously injured.

I believe solving this issue would simply be to raise awareness on the law placed against cyclists riding on the sidewalks because I don’t believe many cyclists know about the law and the consequences of breaking it. Putting up signs on busy sidewalks to deter cyclists would be extremely helpful and appreciated by the pedestrian community. Another helpful solution would be to build more bicycle lanes on existing roads in urban communities, therefore providing more space for cyclists to travel safely on the road. 

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this important issue. I’m confident you will want to take some time to consider the solutions I have to resolve this serious safety issue. Our community needs to have safe sidewalks for pedestrians and safe roads for cyclists.

                      Yours Sincerely,

          Ariel Bishop Payne

          K.C.I Student 

“Sidewalks are for Pedestrians.” Toronto website. N.P. Web. 

13 Jan. 2013’

“Can I Cycle on the Sidewalk.” Walk and Roll Peel website. N.P. Web.

11 April 2012