Gwen O’Connell, candidate Pitt Meadows Council 2011
1. What modes of transportation do you normally use within your community and within Metro Vancouver? I normally do drive unless I am going to an event down town and then I use sky train. I drive to New West and take the sky train from there.
2. How would you support and encourage cycling for transportation for all ages and abilities to promote healthy and livable communities?
3. There have been many surveys asking people what it would take to get them on a bike. The number one thing people want is separated cycling facilities. How would you support separated bike lanes on key routes? If you are not in support please explain why.
I do not support separated bike lanes on key routes in our community because unfortunately most of our residents travel long distances to go to work outside the community. We are very dependent on the vehicle in our community as we do not have good bus service or a commuter train that runs all day and night. We need to start encouraging businesses and companies to start building their companies out in the valley more so that people do not have to travel so far to get to work. I think where separated bike lanes should be on the one way streets and you should still keep the street open on one lane for cars and one lane for bikes.
4. If elected would you to increase or decrease cycling funding from current levels? Do you that cycling funding levels should merely reflect the present level of cycling in our communities, or should it reflect the potential of cycling – not only as a means for transportation and for recreation, but also in view of the many desirable benefits cycling for individuals as well as for our communities/society, such as health benefits ,improved livability, reduced greenhouses gasses/pollution, reduced oil – dependency, reduced need for expensive car infrastructure/parking lots, reduced congestion, etc?
5. What is your level of interest in a public bike share system integrated with the transit system? How do you think a public bike share system in Vancouver can benefit Maple Ridge/ Pitt Meadows residents?
6. What role do you think the municipality has in supporting and promoting cycling education for children, cyclists and motorists?
I think every level of government is responsible for this we have to all work together on the same page or this will take way to long to implement changes in how we commute.
7. How do you feel e-bikes can play a role in our transportation system? What do you see as the benefits of e-bikes as compared to cars? What can e-bikes mean for less densely populated suburban communities like Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows?
I love e bikes for some people they are way more affordable and they can travel quite a distance. This would probably be a better solution for communities like ours that do not have good bus service and way better for our environment.
8. Would you be interested in joining members of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition on a bike ride through your community?
I personally could not do this as it would be very scary for people to see me riding a bike years ago I loved it but now it is better for our residents for me to walk.
