While many ideas have come forward about traffic safety on Bronson Ave., there is one thing we can all agree on: it is not safe for anyone. Despite this fact being agreed upon by most parties, it is unfortunate to see the city council be so delayed in its reaction to this issue. As president of the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA), student safety is always my number-one priority and hence I take a stance.
Bronson Ave. is just that: an avenue. Unfortunately, by some it is being used as a highway with drivers consistently driving over 80 km/h. Better enforcement of speeds is needed. It deeply saddens me that it has taken the death of a fellow student for stricter enforcement and tangible action to begin to be discussed.
Councillor David Chernushenko (Capital Ward), CUSA vice-president (student issues) Hayley Dobson and I have lobbied the Transportation Committee tirelessly to have the speed limit on Bronson lowered. While the committee decided to wait until spring to review this issue, we will continue to push on. To me, safety is the number one issue.
According to city reports, there have been already over 600 accidents on Bronson in the past ten years. This trend needs to stop now. Yes, there do need to be structural changes. However, we cannot sit idly by while so many students and community members are put at risk.
Yes, there needs to be better awareness on road safety for cyclists, too. But we are a community and as a community we need to be respectful of those around us, which means we need to be aware and we need to be responsible. Driving down Bronson at over 80 km/h or cycling down Bronson without abiding to the rules of the road aren’t any of those things.
While some might point their finger at cyclists for using the wrong side of the road, we have to look at why they are choosing to make that choice. The simple fact of the matter is that the cars are driving too fast and until we can slow those cars down, Bronson Ave. will remain a safety hazard for those who use it.
We should all continue to lobby Ottawa’s city council for a safer Bronson Ave. for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. I would like to thank all the student groups who have already made Bronson safer for all its users. Your CUSA executive is your ally in this pursuit. A special thank you also needs to go to councillor Chernushenko for his continued support and his willingness to bring these issues forward to city council. My fellow executives and I will continue to lobby and push city council for a safer Bronson for all those who use it.
— Alexander Golovko,
CUSA president
