Public transit has for decades failed to keep up with the growing needs of our growing city. Though different levels of government share blame, City Council is not without its own. Its tepid embrace of proven LRT technologies, proven correlation between increased bus service and increased ridership, and proven willingness for residents to opt for cycling where the infrastructure allows for it has left our city at a standstill.

This year has tragically seen a sharp spike in pedestrian collisions, and ultimately fatalities in every part of the city from Downtown to Midtown, side streets to boulevards. All this despite city council’s adoption of a Vision Zero goal, an initiative aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries due to road traffic, through smarter street design. If we are to ever achieve a truly walkable and cyclable community, we need to ensure that the risk of commuting does not deter residents and incentivize remaining in the safety of their vehicles.