- Active Transportation Master Plan
Will you commit to supporting the implementation of Markham’s Active Transportation Master Plan and its recommended cycling and active transportation projects, policies, and implementation priorities? If elected, what specific actions would you take to advance the plan? I support cycling in Markham, as a cyclist myself, and I would first review the existing plan and consult with community groups to determine the best path forward. Some existing stretches are far safer and better planned than others and understanding the critical routes ,with consultation from the community, would show us the best path forward. - Expanding Markham’s Cycling Network
Will you support the continued expansion of Markham’s cycling network, including protected bike lanes, separated cycle tracks, multi-use paths, neighbourhood bikeways, and other appropriate cycling facilities? What would you prioritize when determining which projects should be built? I am a supporting of expanding all of these network projects with a priority on neighbourhood bikeways and routes used by children. When I was a kid I would bike to school and I see far less of this these days so to grow support we need to first protect our kids with the right projects and they will help shape the next phase in change in our communities. - Safe and Connected Cycling Routes
Many cycling routes in Markham remain disconnected or require people cycling to cross or travel along high-speed or high-volume roads. What would you do to improve connectivity between neighbourhoods, schools, transit stations, community centres, commercial areas, trails, and other major destinations? I have experienced this travelling pathways from Cornell to Unionville and felt uncomfortable myself. The way it stands there is not enough safety at these crossings and I am proposing red light cameras and other measures as part of my traffic improvement initiative to make roads safer for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike. Monitoring and enforcement are the first step to safer roads, as well making adjustments to intersections (widening, better crossing, etc) where needed. - Protected Cycling Infrastructure on Major Roads
Would you support the installation of protected cycling infrastructure on appropriate arterial and collector roads, including where this requires reallocating existing road space? How would you approach balancing the needs of people walking, cycling, taking transit, and driving? I never liked riding on arterial roads due to the speed of cars and the noise. I believe we should look at creating alternative routes on slower safer roads across Markham and prioritize cycling in these spaces. This is very true for new developments where we can plan them based on this principle and create direct routes for walking & cycling that do not put people in direct competition for space on the road. They would cover the same distance but be offset from each other and it would give us space to expand or adjust as needed in these dedicated spaces. - Road Safety and Vision Zero
What specific measures would you support to reduce serious injuries and fatalities involving people walking and cycling in Markham? Would you support measures such as safer intersections, protected crossings, traffic calming, lower vehicle speeds, daylighting, automated enforcement, and improved cycling infrastructure? I do support this and I will be driving this point with regional council, whether elected or not. We can do better in Markham and across the region. - Cycling Infrastructure in New Developments and Road Projects
Will you support making high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure a standard component of new developments, road reconstruction, road widening, and major transportation projects rather than treating it as an optional addition? What policies would you support to ensure these connections are built as part of the initial project? With new development I would support direct routes for pedestrians and cyclists that are off the main roads and only accessible by these alternatives. A good example is the McNicoll trails in Scarborough that stretch from Vic Park to nearly Markham Road. If you live along this stretch and work in the Steeles Business park cycling is very easy. I would like to see better planning in Markham with similar planned pathways that would use side roads and avoid main intersections keeping everyone safe. - Maintenance and Year-Round Accessibility
How would you improve the maintenance of cycling and active transportation infrastructure, including snow clearing, pavement quality, debris removal, vegetation management, lighting, signage, and accessibility? Would you support clear service standards for maintaining important cycling routes throughout the year? I agree more needs to be done here and with a proper plan it can be achieved. This one will require a number of meetings with various city departments to achieve the desired results but it all starts with someone willing to start the discussion. Planning comes next and the most important is execution of the plan to completion. - Safe Routes to School and Youth Cycling
What would you do to make it safer and easier for children and youth to walk or cycle to school? Would you support expanding safe routes to school, traffic calming around schools, secure bicycle parking, protected cycling connections, and other measures that encourage active transportation for students? I support programs that encourage safer walking and cycling for students. That’s how it was when I was a kid and I think it starts with making it better for kids so we all feel safer. If more kids walk and ride then the traffic issues in these zones start to disappear. - Funding and Implementation
Active transportation projects require sustained funding and political commitment. If elected, would you support dedicated and predictable funding for cycling and active transportation infrastructure in Markham’s capital budgets? What level of priority should active transportation receive when transportation investments are being considered? Safety for everyone is always a number one priority, so it will be considered in all funding discussions for transportation. - Your Commitment to Active Transportation
If elected, what are the three most important actions you would commit to taking during your term to improve cycling, walking, and active transportation in Markham? Please provide specific commitments that residents could use to assess your progress during your term of office. Great question. I would first be looking at the areas around schools and work to make them cycling safe zones. Second I would call for a review of all pathway crossings on main arteries and ensure public consultation happens to ensure safer main road crossings. Third I would look at all new developments and drive for cycling planning in these communities to ensure what comes next is better than what we have. It is a 4 year term and I am confident we can complete these 3 items in that time, and start bigger projects that will take a little longer to implement.
Please feel free to contact me again if you need any clarification on my answers. I would also invite you to set up a meeting once elected to further discuss this topic and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with the members of Markham Cycles at a time of your choosing. We are all part of the same community and together we can improve any situation and address any issue to make Markham better.
Regards
Richard Tranquada
Candidate for Regional Council, Markham