At the Council in Committee meeting held on December 3rd, members of council listened to a presentation made on behalf of the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance (OVCATA). The Alliance was represented by Ish Theilheimer and Robert Howe, and they were accompanied by Deanne Farrar, owner of Ottawa Valley Adventures. Above OVCATA members prepare for a ride in McNab/Braeside October 2019 (Photo: OVCATA Facebook page)
Theilheimer told council that OVCATA was formed three years ago for the purpose of promoting Active Transportation “the idea of people getting around on their own power walking, biking, however.” It now has approximately five hundred members. More information can be found at ovcata.ca
The purpose of the delegation was to ask council to strike an ad hoc committee with a view to it adopting an Active Transportation plan. Similar approaches are being made to other municipalities in Renfrew County. He pointed to many benefits including increased health and safety for residents, in particular for seniors. He said it will help tourism too as Active Transportation-minded visitors will want to come to the area which can have “a very positive effect on local businesses.” This will also enable them to meet competition with others across Canada and the US who are investing in Active Transportation infrastructures and promoting them.
Howe said, “Locally, as Ish has noted you are in the strategic planning review phase at the moment and it’s a good thing to have in the forefront. There are some beautiful places to cycle around here and there are certainly some active cyclists in the community.”
Farrar then told council of her decision to start a business renting e-bikes –The Current reported on this last September. Click HERE to read. She said, “I’ve been biking up here for 25 years or so. This summer I started an e-bike business because the hills around here are really challenging – they’re a killer.”
She discussed how to get people to stop in the Valley. “I’ve cycled in a lot of places in Canada and Europe. We have some of the best cycling in Canada. Those folks who come through are outdoorsy folks, they are looking for outdoorsy things.… it’s an opportunity to have people stop here. I think it’s such a driver for us economically.”
After some discussion, all members of council indicated their support, Councillor Peplinski saying that he was in favour of discussing this before budget. Councillor Carl Bromwich suggested that consideration be given to asking the newly-formed Barry’s Bay Recreation Committee to collaborate and Councillor David Shulist said he would discuss this with that committee with a view to forming an Active Transport sub-committee. Members of council agreed with Councillor Peplinski that any committee formed would reach out to all parts of the municipality. Council passed a Resolution moved by Councillor Mark WIllmer and seconded by Councillor Shulist “that Council in Committee recommend to Council to strike an ad hoc committee for Active Transportation.”
