NDP platform includes more money for cycling infrastructure
Posted August 11, 2011 7:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The NDP promised a $15-million annual investment for cycling infrastructure in Ontario as part of their environmental election platform unveiled Thursday.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also wants to impose a rule that would keep cars at least a metre away from cyclists.
“We have to get serious about making sure that people can safely ride bicycles in this province,” she said.
“If we want to get people out of cars, we need to open up their options.”
Drivers who don’t give cyclists enough space would be fined.
A similar law in Nova Scotia carries a $280 penalty. Horwath didn’t say how much it would be in Ontario.
Critics say it would be difficult to enforce and isn’t relevant to many parts of the province.
“It shows how out of touch they are because they obviously have not taken into consideration all parts of this province including rural Ontario in particular,” said PC MPP Elizabeth Witmer.
The NDP also vowed to end coal-fired power by 2014 if elected on Oct. 6, and make polluting companies pay for their waste.
