From politicians and candidates"With regard to the issue of the bridge being a dangerous underpass for cyclists and motorist I completely agree. I would certainly be in favor of affixing better signage to the bridge and promoting a low cost but high impact education campaign (with signage) in the area to educate motorists and cyclists about their dual responsibilities here. Stop signs and speed reductions may be options but I would invite representatives from the cycle community and city traffic planners to meet and together uncover the most reasonable and effective options for protecting and promoting cycling in the area and as well managing our responsibility to keep traffic moving."
- Mark Taylor (candidate for Bay Ward)
"That Carling/railway underpass is even scary for motorists; I drive on that road ocasionally. I support building a section of new bikepath as you suggest. I would also want to look at making the shoulders of Corkstown Rd (specially east of Moodie) more cyclist-friendly. Meantime I would support lowering the speed limit on Carling between just west of Burke to Rifle Rd to 50 or 60 km/hr, erecting bigger signage and having more enforcement..."
- Greg Ross (candidate for Bay ward)
"Sure the paving could be improved but from my experience Carling from Moodie to Kanata is not bad. As for the underpass that is simply a matter of timing the two seconds it should take you to get through it. If you don't feel competent to handle that stretch then get off the road and on to the bike path that runs west from Moodie and gives you two choices in to Kanata."
- Gord Hunter (current Knoxdale-Merivale ward councillor)
From others"The length of Carling between Herzberg and Moodie is terrible for both cyclists and drivers. The road itself gets way more traffic than it was made for. There is also frequent congestion during rush hour. The section that goes under the bridge is tight for cars as well as cyclists. Not to mention that most drivers are unaware that they should give way to cyclists on that stretch. This is a fantastic thing that you're doing! This area of Carling gets far too much traffic to let these grievous hazards go unfixed."
- Rob Woolley
"80 kph is away too fast for this section of Carling Ave. 60 or even 50 kph would be more in line for this section. The approaches to the bridge should be 35 kph, with a series of 3 "car killer" speed humps on either side of the bridge; type that are designed to contact the nose and underside of a car if taken at a speed greater than 35 kph. Just because it's a fairly straight 2 lane road it doesn't mean people should be driving like bats out of Hell and playing chicken at the underpass. Slow down, relax or drive on some other road."
- Mike Watson
"I emailed Cullen today about this matter: will it be a matter of some serious injury or death that finally attracts attention to the Carling Avenue motorist/cyclist problems?"
- Alan Todd |