Comment
Lanark County is in the process of acquiring and developing an abandoned rail bed. I strongly advocate that the section of the rail bed that runs from Beckwith Township/Carleton Place through Almonte and on to Pakenham be included in a cycling route. Ideally the section to travels further north from Pakenham could also be included.
This new trail will link with the existing Trans Canada trail that connects Carleton Place to Stittsville/Ottawa. I regularly use the existing trail for both running and cycling. I also, when I was working in the west end of Ottawa, commuted by bicycle on that trail. It is the safest way to cycle from Lanark County to Ottawa because it has very few road crossings.
Both Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills (municipalities within Lanark County) recognize that promotion of cycling is good for the health of residents and also for local businesses. Mississippi Mills has multiple cycling based initiatives, that includes declaring June as cycling month. Both municipalities are also supporting bicycle sharing initiatives in 2017.
As our population ages, it will become increasingly important to promote active life styles. The Ottawa Valley Rail Trail is ideally positioned to make a significant contribution to that effort. I strongly encourage it be supported by the Ministry's nascent policy.
[Original Comment ID: 209308]
Submitted February 12, 2018 2:59 PM
Comment on
Identifying a Province-wide Cycling Network
ERO number
013-0190
Comment ID
1895
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status