To the Editor,
Re: Plan steers city in right direction, Editorial, May 29.
The transportation plan establishes a list of priorities that will benefit the economy, the environment and the well-being of every citizen. The plan is to put pedestrians first, cyclists second, bus riders third, truck drivers fourth, and car drivers last.
This means wider, safer, more comfortable sidewalks; a network of pathways for bikes; a more useful and efficient bus system; fewer and safer truck routes; and less roadway dedicated to cars.
The plan represents a radical shift in the way we use roads. It will also requires a radical shift in the way we develop land. The plan doesn’t call for this, but it implies our need to completely overhaul our land use document, the Official Community Plan. Our new priorities would direct us to stop building in the suburbs, stop building new roads and start renovating the roads we have (especially the roads in our urban centre) to make them contribute more to our economy, improve our environment and protect our health and safety.
The transportation plan represents a very positive and dramatic change to the way our city will grow and prosper in the future. My hope is that we understand and embrace this change so that our city can be greatly improved.
Dan AppellNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Council puts priority on cycling, transit, May 29.
The rationale that Nanaimo City council must do the green thing by eliminating cars for bikes, buses or walking is not a fit for the entire population. Nanaimo strived for senior facilities creating employment and bringing the average age of the citizenry up to where they aren’t about to walk or cycle.
There are still subdivisions buses don’t serve, and walking to distant bus stops is too far for those with medical conditions.
I can’t believe council would spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars on bike infrastructure when most of the traffic is through traffic from the ferries and Victoria and north island.
Ditch the green, we are into the next phase of no-driver small cars, and they will roll right over you.
Mary Lou NordstromNanaimo