cheers our hearts when we see persons out on
scooters or electric wheelchairs. What's safer
for cyclists is safer for them too. CWATS is
helping to transform roads into a shared space
where more people than ever are now able to
travel.”
Although there is no hard data yet, CWATS
has begun to track the usage of these spaces.
“Since CWATS has been implemented we
have done many active transportation counts,”
said Copot-Nepszy. “We have a summer
student out taking counts right now, evaluating
to see if there’s a change in the modal shift.
These reports will eventually go to council.”
CWATS also recently celebrated the completion
of a pedestrian crossover on Walker Rd., to
allow pedestrians using the new Herb Grey
Parkway trail systems safe passage.
Dave Hunt, Kingsville resident, cycles in
On a group ride on the Chrysler Canada
the county a few time a week for 20 kilometre
stretches at a time.
Greenway trail system
“I usually ride the Greenway from Kingsville
to Harrow or Leamington, depending on which
Farm equipment today is wider than in the past and farmers
way I feel like going,” said Hunt. “Some of my favourite
need more room to maneuver their vehicles,” said the
hidden gems are Two Creeks in Wheatley and the winery
Omsteads. “Road engineers see facilities like paved shoulders
routes in Essex.”
as a solution with a payback because they extend the life of a
While Hunt is thrilled with what the county has done so
road by keeping the heavier traffic off the edges.”
far to expand on cycling opportunities, he thinks there are
Hunt says he has no fears about safety when he’s cycling
more changes that still need to be made.
in the county. “It’s absolutely safe as long as you are prepared
“We need more education and signage for cyclists and
and aware of your surroundings,” he said. “There’s plenty of
motorists alike, to share the space and build the infrastructure
room to share on the roads.”
for continued growth through the county,” said Hunt. “I’d love
CWATS has many things on its Master Plan, but the
to see more people together just for joy rides through the
Omsteads think more attention needs to be paid to creating
area!”
opportunities for children to walk and cycle safely to area
In 2012 and 2013 CWATS did launch the “It’s a Good
schools.
Sign” campaign, which added wayfinding and warning signs
“We’d like CWATS planners to prioritize children walking
to high traffic spots around the county. Still, the Omsteads
and biking to school and other community centres such as
agree with Hunt.
sports fields,” the Omsteads said. “We would suggest doing
“We'd like CWATS to begin installing wayfare signage to
this by identifying such destinations on a map of the county
help guide cyclists...and keep them away from high traffic
and then drawing a 5 kilometre radius circle (the “bikeability”
roads,” they said. “As the number of people cycling rises, this
zone) and a 1 kilometre radius circle (the “walkability” zone)
guidance will make it better for both motorists and cyclists.
around them.”
We know firsthand that when cyclists have safe space along
Share The Road - Essex County could help CWATS review
the road it better queues traffic and makes it easier, safer and
these circles to assess whether cycling or walking
less frustrating for both cyclists and motorists.”
infrastructure is needed to encourage children and families to
Cyclists and motorists are not the only ones benefiting
choose to walk or bike safely to those destinations.
from the changes being made in Essex County. Farmers, policy
Believe it or not, as an organization Share The Road Essex
makers and local budgets will also see the benefits.
County’s goal was to become obsolete. They’ve settled in to
“Paving shoulders not only makes a road more
monitoring CWATS’ progress and making sure cyclists know
bike-friendly, it makes it more farm equipment-friendly too.