Regarding the Province-wide…

Regarding the Province-wide cycling network.

Please consider having the spine route from Ottawa that heads north to Renfrew County come through Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills for the following reasons -

•The MTO spine route will align with the Voyageur Cycling Route oIn the next year (2017-18), the Voyageur Cycling Route will undergo in-depth evaluation which will include an investigation of the abandoned rail corridor and on-road route options, verification of route conditions and determination of cycling facility type. An implementation strategy will be developed for the Voyageur Cycling Route expansion to Ottawa with the goal of celebrating a fully signed cycling route within three years. •The safest route from Ottawa is on the existing Trans Canada Trail from Ottawa, through Kanata and Stittsville, to Carleton Place. This trail is a non-motorized rail trail suitable for the widest range of cyclists. •Our community of Mississippi Mills has a rich cycling culture and history; Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month, Almonte Bicycle Club, annual competitive cycling events, and the birthplace of the Eastern Ontario Active Transportation Summit (now in its 4th year). …2 Page 2

•North East Lanark has the amenities cycle tourists require; restaurants, accommodations, washrooms, information centers, a bicycle shop, grocery shopping, as well as vibrant downtown centres, historic sites and museums. Both Carleton Place and Almonte have hospitals and health clinics. •The route parallels the Mississippi River which offers many access points with parks as rest points. •Many local businesses have registered with Ontario by Bike as Bicycle-friendly businesses. •Mississippi Mills has a professionally developed Active Transportation Plan that supports this route as part of a broader network. New bicycle lanes are being developed annually. •Mississippi Mills was awarded Bicycle-Friendly Community status by Share the Road Cycling Coalition in 2016. •Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month has been encouraging local citizens to cycle for over 9 years as well as welcoming cyclists from afar. •Mississippi Mills has a School Travel Planning Committee •Mississippi Mills has a bike share program •Carleton Place is set to host the 4th Annual Eastern Ontario Active Transportation Summit in 2017 and is developing an Active Transportation Plan

[Original Comment ID: 209289]