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.
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
Add your name to the Open Letter
We will be adding names of other signatories to the list below the form.
Open Letter Signatories
| Name | Occupation |
| Adam Jones | Mechanical Engineering Technologist |
| Adrien Blais | Civil Engineer |
| Alan Wallace | Urban Planner, Business consultant |
| Alina Ostrowska | Recent U of S Grad |
| Andre Gagnon | – |
| Andrea Grzesina | IT analyst |
| Andrew Peeling | Anesthesia Resident |
| Angie Bugg | Engineer |
| Anna Hopkins | Project Lead |
| Anna Ringstrom | Landscape architect |
| Ayoub Dangor | Anesthesiologist |
| Barb Lafreniere | Certified Financial Planner |
| Baxter Kawula | Professional Accountant |
| Belinda Betker | Writer |
| Ben Ralston | Lawyer. PHd student |
| Bertrand Bartake | Architect |
| Betty Daniels | |
| Betty Ternier Daniels | Retired U of S seasonal instructor |
| Bev Lackie | Retired Teacher |
| Beverley West | Saskatoon Citizen |
| Beverly West | Citizen |
| Blain McCann | Semi-retired Agriculture consultant |
| Blaine Gysler | Canada Revenue Agency |
| Brad Watts | Teacher Let’s Lead program |
| Brayden Elliott | Photographer |
| Brenda Dean | Physiotherapist |
| Brenda Lougheed | Anesthesiologist |
| Brenda MacDonald | Retired Teacher |
| Brenda Martyn-Kelly | Retired Physiotherapist |
| Brenda Nagel | Teacher |
| Brenda Wallace | CEO Habitat for Humanity |
| Brian Sawatzky | Hotelier |
| Bruce Dyck | |
| C. Yaworski | The Paint Guy |
| Caitlyn Kirkpatrick | U of S student |
| Candace Savage | Author and Community Activist |
| Carisa Polischuk | Research Analyst (University of Saskatchewan) |
| Carla Morrison | Early Childhood Edcator |
| Carol Greyeyes | Consultant for Gov’t Agency |
| Cathy Sproule | MLA Saskatoon Nutana |
| Cathy Watts | Chairperson Saskatoon Cycles, Grandmother |
| Charles Olfert | Architect |
| Cheryl Siemens | X-ray technologist, City Hospital |
| Chris Anderson | plant operator |
| Chris Duffy | Mathematician |
| Chris Gelineau | Manager, Federal Government |
| Chris Gordon | Registered Dental Hygienist |
| Chris White | Radiologist |
| Ciara Kirkpatrick | High School Student |
| Cindy Placatka | Yoga Instructor |
| Colette Berg | Teacher and Counsellor |
| Cora Janzen | Health Promoter, Saskatchewan Health Authority |
| Curtis Mah | Accountant |
| Cyaworski | The Paint Guy |
| Daniel Buck | Engineering Technologist |
| Daniel Kuhlen | |
| Daniel Kuhn | Citizen |
| Darla Tenold | Writer |
| Darren Widenmaier | Owner, Quadrant Newmedia; multiple active commuting staff |
| Dave Stobbe | Professional Photographer |
| David Hughes | Lawyer |
| Dawna Rose | Artist |
| Debra Jane Wright | Director, Health Quality Council |
| Don Harris | U of S Former Chair Outreach and Engagement |
| Doug Anderson | Water Treatment Operator |
| Dr. Alyx Holden | Family Physician |
| Dr. Amanda Loewy | Family Physician |
| Dr. Brenna Bath | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Brian Chartier | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Catherine Trask | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Cathy Arnold | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Chris White | Radiologist |
| Dr. Courtney Meier | Family Physician |
| Dr. Deirdre Andres | Family Physician |
| Dr. Erika Rojas | Medical doctor |
| Dr. James Arnold | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Jocelyn Pook | Medical doctor |
| Dr. John Dosman | Family Physician |
| Dr. Jon Bath | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Kishore Visvanathan | Urologist |
| Dr. Lana Shimp | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Lara Spagrud | Medical doctor |
| Dr. Leane Pask | Family Physician |
| Dr. Preman Jacob | Radiologist |
| Dr. Rae Petrucha | Family Physician |
| Dr. Sara Dungavell | Psychiarist |
| Dr. Tamara Hinz | Child Psychiatrist |
| Dr. Tatiana Rae | Physician |
| Dr. Tyson Kurtenbach | Medical doctor |
| Dwight Kirkpatrick | Educator Saskatoon Public School Divison |
| Elana Gelineau | Student U of Victoria |
| Elizabeth Bekolay | Ecological educator |
| Eric Lamb | University Professor |
| Eric Michael Pohorecky | Software Engineer |
| Erica Ritchie | Environmental Engineer |
| Erin Edwards | X-ray tech |
| Erin Placatka | Librarian |
| Erwin Stanzel | Retired |
| Everton Slaferek | Grade 10 student |
| Freda Toffolo | Retired, Pedestrian |
| Gen Clark | Research facilitator |
| Gord Holtslander | Partner, Holtslander Communications |
| Gordon Sartig | Professor |
| Greg Basky | Writer/communications consultant |
| Greg Yuel | Business Owner |
| Gwen Charman | retired |
| Heather Brenneman | Retired |
| Henry Lau | Architect, Urban Planner, Artist |
| Holly Ann Knott | Lawyer, bike commuter |
| Jake MacDonald | Retired |
| Jan Norris | retired |
| Janet McVittie | U of S assistant prof (environmental educator) |
| Jared Stephenson | Land Use Planning Consultant |
| Jasmine Liska | Editor |
| Jason Anspach | Technologist |
| Jay Wilson | U of S Faculty member |
| Jeanne Blair | Senior Applications Administrator, HR Systems |
| Jeff Edwards | Project supervisor, Meridian Surveys |
| Jeff Hehn | Instructor Sask PolyTech |
| Jeff Walters | Teacher |
| Jennifer Pederson | Fundraiser |
| Jessica Moneo | Teacher |
| Jim Siemens | Architect |
| Joanne Cliff | retired |
| Josh Safronetz | Business Owner |
| Julia Boughner | Scientist |
| Julie Graham | Educator, United Church of Canada |
| Julie Kobussen | teacher |
| Justin Fisher | Researcher |
| Kariann McCrea | Teacher |
| Katherine Lawrence | writer |
| Kathy Mickelson | Retired Physical Therapist |
| Katya Gudkova | research assistant at the University of Saskatchewan |
| Keith Moore | Retired Biologist |
| Kenzie Frizzle | Seasonal tree planter/casual care assistant |
| Kerry Schaefer | Salon Coordinator |
| Kevin Dunbar | Engineer |
| Kevin Dunn | Freelance Writer/Photographer |
| Kevin Read | Librarian, University of Saskatchewan |
| Kira Judge | Economist |
| Kiyomi Kirkpatrick | Sask Polytech |
| Krista Sego | School Principal |
| Kristie Muzyha | Planner |
| Kyla Kelly | Nurse |
| Kylie Riou | Psychiatrist |
| Lauren Kovansky | Medical Sales and consultant |
| Lee Ryan | Hungry city park resident |
| Lee Smith | City planner |
| Leigh Spinney | Accountant |
| Leila Olfert | MIxed Media Artist |
| Leona Theis | Author |
| Leslie Amundson | Archaeologist |
| Leslie Basky | Teacher-Librarian, Saskatoon Public Schools |
| Linda Mowatt | Retired History teacher |
| Lindsay Banco | Professor |
| Lindsay MacGregor | Photographer/Stay at home mom |
| Lindsey Banco | professor |
| Lissa Peeling | Neurosurgeon |
| Liv Marken | University admin. |
| Liz James | Writer |
| Louise Jones | Senior Activist |
| Luke Driedger-Enns | Business Development Food Ingredients |
| Lynn Caldwell | Professor |
| Lynn Guina | Artist |
| Lynn Underwood | Retired Sonographer |
| Lynne Harris | Retired |
| Makar Slaferek | Grade 7 student |
| Marcus Storey | Business owner |
| Margaret Lowry | Retired Physician |
| Margaret Phelan | nurse practitioner, Saskatchewan Health Authority |
| Mark Bigland-Pritchard | Migration and Resettlement Coordinator |
| Markel Chernenkoff | Lawyer |
| Marnie Deighton | Physical Therapist |
| Mary Anne Rubin | Retired civil servant |
| Mary Uzelman | Retired farmer’s market vendor |
| Mason Loy | Architectural Technologist |
| Matthew Selinger | Alumnus and current UofS student |
| Maya Moore | Retired Biologist |
| Merlin Toth | Security Technician |
| Michael Molaro | Green Roof Consultant |
| Michelle liota | Construction project manager |
| Mike Winter | Walking Saskatoon |
| Miranda Jones | Visual Artist and Yoga Educator |
| Murray Gross | Counsellor |
| Murray Placatka | Retired Teacher |
| Nancy Howse | Retired Farmer |
| Nicole Lock | Executive Director |
| Noel Kramer | Retired |
| Norma Gunningham-Kapphahn | CEo / Lawyer |
| Olive Watts | Grade 7 student |
| Olivia Yuel | Business Owner |
| Penny McKinlay | Communications |
| Peter Brown | educator |
| Peter Gallén | Walking Saskatoon |
| Preman Jacob | Interventional Radiologist |
| Quinlan Cartmell-Martin | Retail Clerk |
| Quinlan Cartwell-Martin | |
| rahatjan kira judge | Economist working in IT |
| Raymonde Martel | Retired Nurse |
| Reuben Senft | Full-time University Student |
| Rob Howse | Retired Farmer, Bike Mechanic, Cyclist |
| Rob Larson | Truck driver |
| Robert Clipperton | Steering Committee, Bus Riders of Saskatoon |
| Rod Macpherson | Volunteer |
| Rod McPherson | Volunteer |
| Rod Orr | Active retiree, Cyclist, community volunteer |
| Rodrigo Martinez | Chef |
| Samantha Smith | Graduate Student Funding Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan |
| Sara Stobbe | Nurse |
| Sarah Oosman | Prof. U of S Rehab Medicine |
| Scott Wood | Youth Care Worker |
| Serge Martel | Retired Pediatrician |
| Sharissa Hantke | RN |
| Shaun Dyksman | Technician |
| Shawn Dyksman | Technologist |
| Shawn Moen | Owner, 9 Mile Legacy Brewing |
| Sheila Ragush | Retired |
| Shirley McGuire | Retired |
| Shoshanna Paul | Lawyer |
| Sophie Gelinea | Student U of Alberta |
| Stephanie Siemens | Student |
| Stephen Ross Smith | Writer |
| Stephen Urquhart | Professor, Professional Chemist |
| Steven Ross Smith | Writer |
| Stew Coles | Environmental charity manager |
| Sue Ashburner | Retired Veterinarian |
| Susan Clark | LIbrarian, Artist |
| Tatiana Rac | Medical Doctor |
| Theresa Slind | Librarian |
| Theressa Slind | Librarian |
| Tiina Liiving | Saskatoon |
| Tina Living | |
| Todd Berg | School Principal, Ernest Lindner |
| Tom Kishchuk | executive leader in large Saskatoon based organization |
| Tracy Humphrey | Retired |
| Trent Watts | Retried Veterinarian |
| Tyler Mayers | Contract Specialist |
| Tyler Rittinger | Teacher, Ecoquest Program / Host, Switching Gears Bike Radio |
| Tyrell Harder | Assistant Manager at Merlis Belsher Place |
| Verna Gallén | Walking Saskatoon |
| Vivian Orr | Graphic Artist |
| Wayne MacDonald | Retired Teacher |
| William Berg | Ecojustice Student |
| Zsuzsa Papp | Director, Business Development, Saskatoon |
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