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You are here: Home / Sign the Open Letter to the City of Saskatoon

Sign the Open Letter to the City of Saskatoon

re Covid-19 physical distancing

Saskatoon Cycles, on behalf of citizens across this community, has submitted an open letter to the City of Saskatoon, encouraging our leaders to open more road space to cyclists and pedestrians during the pandemic, to support physical distancing. If you would like to show your support, please add your name and occupation below the letter.

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Open Letter to the City of Saskatoon

We are a group of citizens from all walks of life. We are deeply grateful for the hard work of all our officials and essential workers during this trying time. While COVID-19 brings us daunting challenges and terrible tragedies, it also offers some unique opportunities. It is essential that, wherever possible and appropriate, everyone stays both physically and mentally healthy. 

Many people are now finding they have a lot of time on their hands. This time can be used in ways that lead us to further physical and mental stress, or it can be a time to heal and discover what is important in life. Right now, more than ever, we need to make it possible to enjoy healthy diversions. 

Playgrounds are closed, and organized sports and many other activities are rightfully on hold — at a time when they’re needed the most. The simple act of getting outside for a walk or a bike ride, whether it is to collect groceries or just to move around, is more than a selfish desire to escape the four walls. Getting outside to exercise, as long as it is done safely, is our civic duty. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our community, to keep ourselves healthy. Research shows that people who have access to fresh air, exercise, and nature are less susceptible to a range of diseases and conditions.

This is a very difficult time for the City of Saskatoon to coordinate both the fight against the virus and people’s need to be outside in the fresh air. But we strongly feel the City must do even more to support safely distanced exercise and active transportation. 

Here is a golden opportunity for the City to temporarily repurpose some of the space that is now dedicated to motor vehicles. Traffic is at unprecedented low levels. Many jurisdictions are experiencing a corresponding reduction in air pollution. The current volume of traffic simply doesn’t justify the appropriation of so much of our city to motor vehicles. At the same time, pedestrians and cyclists, who are already allocated a thin sliver of roadways, are under orders to keep distant from one another. 

Cities around the world have taken action. Close to home, our sister cities on the prairies have opened up more space, to enable people to get out and enjoy the fresh air and exercise they desperately need, while maintaining a safe distance from one another. In Winnipeg, they have opened up their annual bicycle and active transportation routes even earlier this year; on these four streets, vehicle traffic is limited to one block throughout the designated area. Calgary has fully or partially closed lanes in six prioritized locations to repurpose street space for walking/wheeled use. And Edmonton is adjusting two roads in busy and densely populated areas to provide more space to pedestrians and cyclists. 

We ask that the City of Saskatoon adjust as many streets and roadways as is feasible, to accommodate more pedestrians and cyclists, and enable them to maintain safe physical distancing. These temporary routes could be open to local traffic, with speed restricted to 20 km/hr. Some specific locations for your consideration include:

  • Spadina Crescent, from Whiteswan Drive to the Gordie Howe Bridge (to help ease pressure on MVA trails)
  • Routes/corridors linking neighborhoods
  • Routes/corridors connecting to grocery stores

Officials in some jurisdictions — frustrated with the cavalier attitude of park and trail users — have closed these areas completely. We hope this draconian step will not be necessary in Saskatoon. We support creating lanes with signage guiding people where to walk/cycle, in which direction, and reminders to maintain distance. Education is far better than deprivation. Most people now understand, and are practising, appropriate physical distancing.

We sincerely appreciate your hard work in this difficult time, and for your attention to our urgent appeal for public health.

References:

  • https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/03/coronavirus-bike-lane-emergency-transportation-covid-19/608725/
  • https://chi.streetsblog.org/2020/03/23/divvy-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-what-the-bike-share-system-is-doing-to-protect-riders-workers/
  • https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/4/1/bicycles-shine-during-a-pandemic
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Add your name to the Open Letter

We will be adding names of other signatories to the list below the form.

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Open Letter Signatories

NameOccupation
Adam JonesMechanical Engineering Technologist
Adrien BlaisCivil Engineer
Alan WallaceUrban Planner, Business consultant
Alina OstrowskaRecent U of S Grad
Andre Gagnon–
Andrea GrzesinaIT analyst
Andrew PeelingAnesthesia Resident
Angie BuggEngineer
Anna HopkinsProject Lead
Anna RingstromLandscape architect
Ayoub DangorAnesthesiologist
Barb LafreniereCertified Financial Planner
Baxter KawulaProfessional Accountant
Belinda BetkerWriter
Ben RalstonLawyer. PHd student
Bertrand BartakeArchitect
Betty Daniels
Betty Ternier DanielsRetired U of S seasonal instructor
Bev LackieRetired Teacher
Beverley WestSaskatoon Citizen
Beverly WestCitizen
Blain McCannSemi-retired Agriculture consultant
Blaine GyslerCanada Revenue Agency
Brad WattsTeacher Let’s Lead program
Brayden ElliottPhotographer
Brenda DeanPhysiotherapist
Brenda LougheedAnesthesiologist
Brenda MacDonaldRetired Teacher
Brenda Martyn-KellyRetired Physiotherapist
Brenda NagelTeacher
Brenda WallaceCEO Habitat for Humanity
Brian SawatzkyHotelier
Bruce Dyck
C. YaworskiThe Paint Guy
Caitlyn KirkpatrickU of S student
Candace SavageAuthor and Community Activist
Carisa PolischukResearch Analyst (University of Saskatchewan)
Carla MorrisonEarly Childhood Edcator
Carol GreyeyesConsultant for Gov’t Agency
Cathy SprouleMLA Saskatoon Nutana
Cathy WattsChairperson Saskatoon Cycles, Grandmother
Charles OlfertArchitect
Cheryl SiemensX-ray technologist, City Hospital
Chris Andersonplant operator
Chris DuffyMathematician
Chris GelineauManager, Federal Government
Chris GordonRegistered Dental Hygienist
Chris WhiteRadiologist
Ciara KirkpatrickHigh School Student
Cindy PlacatkaYoga Instructor
Colette BergTeacher and Counsellor
Cora JanzenHealth Promoter, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Curtis MahAccountant
CyaworskiThe Paint Guy
Daniel BuckEngineering Technologist
Daniel Kuhlen
Daniel KuhnCitizen
Darla TenoldWriter
Darren WidenmaierOwner, Quadrant Newmedia; multiple active commuting staff
Dave StobbeProfessional Photographer
David HughesLawyer
Dawna RoseArtist
Debra Jane WrightDirector, Health Quality Council
Don HarrisU of S Former Chair Outreach and Engagement
Doug AndersonWater Treatment Operator
Dr. Alyx HoldenFamily Physician
Dr. Amanda LoewyFamily Physician
Dr. Brenna BathMedical doctor
Dr. Brian ChartierMedical doctor
Dr. Catherine TraskMedical doctor
Dr. Cathy ArnoldMedical doctor
Dr. Chris WhiteRadiologist
Dr. Courtney MeierFamily Physician
Dr. Deirdre AndresFamily Physician
Dr. Erika RojasMedical doctor
Dr. James ArnoldMedical doctor
Dr. Jocelyn PookMedical doctor
Dr. John DosmanFamily Physician
Dr. Jon BathMedical doctor
Dr. Kishore VisvanathanUrologist
Dr. Lana ShimpMedical doctor
Dr. Lara SpagrudMedical doctor
Dr. Leane PaskFamily Physician
Dr. Preman JacobRadiologist
Dr. Rae PetruchaFamily Physician
Dr. Sara DungavellPsychiarist
Dr. Tamara HinzChild Psychiatrist
Dr. Tatiana RaePhysician
Dr. Tyson KurtenbachMedical doctor
Dwight KirkpatrickEducator Saskatoon Public School Divison
Elana GelineauStudent U of Victoria
Elizabeth BekolayEcological educator
Eric LambUniversity Professor
Eric Michael PohoreckySoftware Engineer
Erica RitchieEnvironmental Engineer
Erin EdwardsX-ray tech
Erin PlacatkaLibrarian
Erwin StanzelRetired
Everton SlaferekGrade 10 student
Freda ToffoloRetired, Pedestrian
Gen ClarkResearch facilitator
Gord HoltslanderPartner, Holtslander Communications
Gordon SartigProfessor
Greg BaskyWriter/communications consultant
Greg YuelBusiness Owner
Gwen Charmanretired
Heather BrennemanRetired
Henry LauArchitect, Urban Planner, Artist
Holly Ann KnottLawyer, bike commuter
Jake MacDonaldRetired
Jan Norrisretired
Janet McVittieU of S assistant prof (environmental educator)
Jared StephensonLand Use Planning Consultant
Jasmine LiskaEditor
Jason AnspachTechnologist
Jay WilsonU of S Faculty member
Jeanne BlairSenior Applications Administrator, HR Systems
Jeff EdwardsProject supervisor, Meridian Surveys
Jeff HehnInstructor Sask PolyTech
Jeff WaltersTeacher
Jennifer PedersonFundraiser
Jessica MoneoTeacher
Jim SiemensArchitect
Joanne Cliffretired
Josh SafronetzBusiness Owner
Julia BoughnerScientist
Julie GrahamEducator, United Church of Canada
Julie Kobussenteacher
Justin FisherResearcher
Kariann McCreaTeacher
Katherine Lawrencewriter
Kathy MickelsonRetired Physical Therapist
Katya Gudkovaresearch assistant at the University of Saskatchewan
Keith MooreRetired Biologist
Kenzie FrizzleSeasonal tree planter/casual care assistant
Kerry SchaeferSalon Coordinator
Kevin DunbarEngineer
Kevin DunnFreelance Writer/Photographer
Kevin ReadLibrarian, University of Saskatchewan
Kira JudgeEconomist
Kiyomi KirkpatrickSask Polytech
Krista SegoSchool Principal
Kristie MuzyhaPlanner
Kyla KellyNurse
Kylie RiouPsychiatrist
Lauren KovanskyMedical Sales and consultant
Lee RyanHungry city park resident
Lee SmithCity planner
Leigh SpinneyAccountant
Leila OlfertMIxed Media Artist
Leona TheisAuthor
Leslie AmundsonArchaeologist
Leslie BaskyTeacher-Librarian, Saskatoon Public Schools
Linda MowattRetired History teacher
Lindsay BancoProfessor
Lindsay MacGregorPhotographer/Stay at home mom
Lindsey Bancoprofessor
Lissa PeelingNeurosurgeon
Liv MarkenUniversity admin.
Liz JamesWriter
Louise JonesSenior Activist
Luke Driedger-EnnsBusiness Development Food Ingredients
Lynn CaldwellProfessor
Lynn GuinaArtist
Lynn UnderwoodRetired Sonographer
Lynne HarrisRetired
Makar SlaferekGrade 7 student
Marcus StoreyBusiness owner
Margaret LowryRetired Physician
Margaret Phelannurse practitioner, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Mark Bigland-PritchardMigration and Resettlement Coordinator
Markel ChernenkoffLawyer
Marnie DeightonPhysical Therapist
Mary Anne RubinRetired civil servant
Mary UzelmanRetired farmer’s market vendor
Mason LoyArchitectural Technologist
Matthew SelingerAlumnus and current UofS student
Maya MooreRetired Biologist
Merlin TothSecurity Technician
Michael MolaroGreen Roof Consultant
Michelle liotaConstruction project manager
Mike WinterWalking Saskatoon
Miranda JonesVisual Artist and Yoga Educator
Murray GrossCounsellor
Murray PlacatkaRetired Teacher
Nancy HowseRetired Farmer
Nicole LockExecutive Director
Noel KramerRetired
Norma Gunningham-KapphahnCEo / Lawyer
Olive WattsGrade 7 student
Olivia YuelBusiness Owner
Penny McKinlayCommunications
Peter Browneducator
Peter GallénWalking Saskatoon
Preman JacobInterventional Radiologist
Quinlan Cartmell-MartinRetail Clerk
Quinlan Cartwell-Martin
rahatjan kira judgeEconomist working in IT
Raymonde MartelRetired Nurse
Reuben SenftFull-time University Student
Rob HowseRetired Farmer, Bike Mechanic, Cyclist
Rob LarsonTruck driver
Robert ClippertonSteering Committee, Bus Riders of Saskatoon
Rod MacphersonVolunteer
Rod McPhersonVolunteer
Rod OrrActive retiree, Cyclist, community volunteer
Rodrigo MartinezChef
Samantha SmithGraduate Student Funding Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan
Sara StobbeNurse
Sarah OosmanProf. U of S Rehab Medicine
Scott WoodYouth Care Worker
Serge MartelRetired Pediatrician
Sharissa HantkeRN
Shaun DyksmanTechnician
Shawn DyksmanTechnologist
Shawn MoenOwner, 9 Mile Legacy Brewing
Sheila RagushRetired
Shirley McGuireRetired
Shoshanna PaulLawyer
Sophie GelineaStudent U of Alberta
Stephanie SiemensStudent
Stephen Ross SmithWriter
Stephen UrquhartProfessor, Professional Chemist
Steven Ross SmithWriter
Stew ColesEnvironmental charity manager
Sue AshburnerRetired Veterinarian
Susan ClarkLIbrarian, Artist
Tatiana RacMedical Doctor
Theresa SlindLibrarian
Theressa SlindLibrarian
Tiina LiivingSaskatoon
Tina Living
Todd BergSchool Principal, Ernest Lindner
Tom Kishchukexecutive leader in large Saskatoon based organization
Tracy HumphreyRetired
Trent WattsRetried Veterinarian
Tyler MayersContract Specialist
Tyler RittingerTeacher, Ecoquest Program / Host, Switching Gears Bike Radio
Tyrell HarderAssistant Manager at Merlis Belsher Place
Verna GallénWalking Saskatoon
Vivian OrrGraphic Artist
Wayne MacDonaldRetired Teacher
William BergEcojustice Student
Zsuzsa PappDirector, Business Development, Saskatoon

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