Friday, October 28
Saskatoon Cycles


Hello,

My name is Robert Judge. I am on the board of Saskatoon Cycles. We
promote cycling as year-round transportation for all ages. With over
1200 members we are now the largest bicycle group in Saskatchewan. Our
rapid growth reflects how urgent cycling issues are with voters and
taxpayers. We are asking 4 questions about cycling and provincial
politics of each candidate in Saskatoon's 12 ridings, and the party
leaders. We will not endorse any party or candidate. We will post all
responses on our website, saskatooncycles.ca and share with the media.
If you are able to answer even one question or make comment, we would
appreciate that.

Note: We are re-sending this email originally from 22nd October
because there may have been some glitches receiving it.

Thank-you for participating. All the best in your campaign.


 1) On average motor vehicles injure 11 and kill 2 cyclists each year
in Saskatchewan. Fear of cars is the largest factor preventing more
people from cycling. Would you have SGI put more emphasis on teaching
motorists to safely share the road with cyclists?


Larry Waldinger: Yes that would help make the roads safer for cyclists who dare to ride on the roads. For those cyclist whose dare not ride on the roads they should be allowed to ride on sidewalks. Common sense should allow pedestrians, strollers, wheel chairs, and cyclists to all safely share the sidewalks. More street corner curb cuts would help all wheeled traffic on sidewalks too.

2) Highway construction workers are protected by buffer zones and a
speed limit with stiff penalties. Tow truck and emergency workers are
protected by a speed limit. Cyclists have no protection. There is no
minimum distance a car must keep when passing a cyclist, and our
members experience cars passing too closely in the same lane. This
safety hazard sometimes includes a spray of mud. What rules would you
put in place to protect cyclists?


Larry Waldinger: Reduced speed limits around cyclists (like school zones) is something that immediately comes to mind. There are probably many other better rules. I notice that when I walk or ride across the 25th Street Bridge in the rain splash from motorists arcs over the protective barrier and splashes me.


3) Given the benefits to the taxpayer of increased cycling, where do
you stand on removing the PST from bicycles and accessories?

Larry Waldinger: That is an awesome idea. I would like to talk to whoever came up with that idea.

 4) Healthcare budgets are ballooning, pushed up by diseases of
inactivity. Studies show that money invested in bikeways is recouped
several times over in lowered healthcare costs. However, municipal
politicians say healthcare costs are a provincial responsibility, and
provincial politicians say bikeways are a municipal responsibility.
Should the province save money on healthcare by helping our cities
invest in safer bikeways? If so, by how much?


Larry Waldinger: Yes. The Green Party of Saskatchewan strongly supports preventive health care. The province should invest A LOT in safer bike-ways because it makes economic sense. One of the obstacles to preventive medicine is that corrective medicine like expensive surgery and pharmaceuticals are better for the GDP, and our society has an unhealthy obsession with GDP.


Also important to consider is the influence the petroleum industry exerts in Saskatchewan. They would not be pleased to see a wide scale shift from the use of motorized vehicles burning their fuels to the use of bicycles. The Green Party is the only party that refuses to accept campaign contributions from any corporations or lobbyists, so you could expect elected Green Party MLA's to act in the interests of the people of Saskatchewan.