Quotes from website related to cycling and active transportation:
“Whether someone is choosing to drive, bike, walk, or use transit, we owe it to them to make their option safe and efficient. People shouldn’t be penalized for driving, and people shouldn’t feel like an afterthought when they’re using public transportation, biking, or walking. Our infrastructure not only needs repair, but a rethink. We can and will do better.
Specific statements include:
- “Developing a separated bike lane network
- Making sure that sidewalks and bike lanes stay clear and accessible all winter
- Increased pedestrian safety measures, such as raised crosswalks
- Ensuring that sidewalks are plowed in coordination with the roads beside them”
Other statements/platform re cycling, active transportation and public transit are on website
From Vote Winnipeg 2018 (Winnipeg Free Press) accessed 17 Oct 2018):
Q: “What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?” “Portage and Main needs to feel like a place, not simply a route to drive through. Winnipeg’s downtown is currently undergoing huge positive changes, and we need to keep that momentum growing. Opening Portage and Main will increase our downtown’s vibrancy, which leads to increased economic activity, residents, and businesses.
I will support whichever option voters choose in this election. If we keep Portage and Main closed, I will keep fighting for other ways to create a stronger, more vibrant downtown.”
Q: “What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?”Winnipeg must improve the appeal of transit, biking, and walking through three main ways:
1. Building complete streets: balancing the needs of cars with safer designs for pedestrians and bikes
2. Frequent transit network: a network of buses that runs 15 minutes or better all day long
3. Bus rapid transit: continue working to develop a city-wide network of corridors”
From Winnipeg Votes 2018 (CBC) accessed 17 Oct 2018):
Q: “What do you think about the opening of the Portage and Main intersection to pedestrians?” “I do indeed support the opening of Portage and Main. If elected, I would honour the results of the vote, because that’s what voters have chosen. I would continue pushing for better public education and consultation on the issue, so essentially rather than letting people who are opposed to it, because it’s a change, frame the debate, we need to show people why that change is a good thing. I would be happy to support a pilot project opening one portion of the crosswalk to show that it doesn’t cause a traffic issue.”
Q: “What is your vision for St. James?” “…. How do we move forward as a city? Do we want to be a city that’s inclusive to everyone or do we want to be a city that focuses exclusively on roads and lower taxes? As far as a long-term vision for St. James, I want to make a ward that everyone can live in. That includes better transit for seniors, better roads and better bike lanes.
The candidate completed the 2018 all-candidate environmental survey: A coalition of Winnipeg Environmental Organizations compiled questions for an all-candidate (Mayoral and Councilor) survey with questions relating to the environment, including AT.
Website:www.kurtmorton.ca
Email:kurt@kurtmorton.ca
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Twitter:Twitter/KurtMorton2018