Hamilton’s incoming School Trustees: Their thoughts on active transportation

Cycle Hamilton contacted all School Board Trustee Candidates running in Hamilton’s 3 school boards. The survey was conducted online and received responses from 20 candidates.

To give citizens a sense of where Hamilton’s incoming School Board Trustees stand on active transportation and road safety, we have pulled responses from three survey questions and listen them below. Responses from all incoming School Trustees are provided below.

1) If elected, I will consider cycling and walking before making decisions about closing neighbourhood schools or citing new schools to ensure that a greater proportion of children and youth live within walking and cycling distance of their school.

2) I support the implementation of Vision Zero best practices in school zones (ex. slower speeds, traffic calming, cycling and walking infrastructure).

3) In your opinion, is it important that Hamilton increase the number of protected bike lanes? Why or why not?

Christine Bingham (HWDSB Wards 1 & 2): All bike lanes should be protected. The safety of students traveling outside the school boundaries is just as important as around the schools.

Chris Parkinson (HWDSB Ward 3): Very important. I am the City Hall liaison for Hamilton Blue Dot. In 2015 we convinced councillors to unanimously vote for our Right to a Healthy Environment. Including prioritizing walking, cycling, and transit.

Cam Galindo (HWDSB Wards 9 & 10): Absolutely. Student safety is everyone’s responsibility. I will work with the City of Hamilton and local communities to ensure that we do everything possible to increase the level of safety for youth that choose to walk or bike to school.

Paul Tut (HWDSB Ward 13): I think its important for any modern town or city to include protected bike lanes within their overall infrastructure planning. Not only does it promote health benefits, its environmentally friendly, but it also offers an alternative means of transportation which would help reduce traffic congestion.

Mark Valvasori (HWCDSB Wards 1, 2 & 15): Student safety is a priority. If bike lanes are truly protected then I support this but if it means that safety might be compromised by parents dropping students off by car and by regular traffic then I might hesitate.

John Valvasori (HWCDSB Wards 8 & 14): It largely depends on the location of particular schools. All safety measures should be considered to protect pedestrians and cyclists en route to school.

Phil Homerski (HWCDSB Wards 12 & 13): As an active commuter cyclist, I feel strongly that protected bike lanes not only help ensure greater security for cyclists of all ages, they also instil a greater sense of comfort and peace of mind which can be important incentives for learning or new cyclists.

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Note: This article only includes responses from elected School Trustees that completed Cycle Hamilton’s survey.