Template Letter: An Act to Establish a National Cycling Strategy

If you need a little help writing a letter to Brampton’s MPs in support of An Act to Establish a National Cycling Strategy, here’s a template you can use. Feel free to change it as you please to make it personal to you.

Background

 

[two_columns] [column1]

Please Send Email To

Sonia Sidhu
Sonia.Sidhu@parl.gc.ca

Raj Grewal
Raj.Grewal@parl.gc.ca

Kamal Khera
kamal.khera@parl.gc.ca

Ruby Sahota
Ruby.Sahota@parl.gc.ca

Ramesh Sangha
Ramesh.Sangha@parl.gc.ca

[/column1] [column2]

And CC

Gord Johns
Gord.Johns@parl.gc.ca

BikeBrampton
info@bikebrampton.ca

[/column2] [/two_columns]

 

[action background_color=”]

Honourable Brampton Members of Parliament.

I’m [insert name here]. I’m emailing to express my support for MP Gord Johns private Member’s Bill C-312: An Act to establish a national cycling strategy.

The benefits of a national cycling are many, including:

 

  • Encouraging more Canadians to choose cycling as their mode of transportation;
  • Improving national safety standard measures, and design standards
  • Supporting the cycling industry in Canada, including manufacturing, sales, and service sectors
  • Broader availability of education for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
  • Bringing all levels of governments together with cyclists and industry to build a plan that will encourage more Canadians ride bicycles.

 

I agree with Gord that a National Cycling Strategy will lead to a healthier society, more livable communities, safer cycling options, reduced congestion, and significant savings for our healthcare system.

[Insert any personal points you want to make to support a national cycling strategy]

Thank you for your support.

[insert name here] [/action]

 

An Act to Establish a National Cycling Strategy

Some exciting news!

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) introduced a private Member’s bill to establish a National Cycling Strategy.

 

 

The goals of a national cycling strategy are:

 

  • Commit the federal government to set clear targets for expanding cycling infrastructure;
  • Encourage more Canadians to choose cycling as their mode of transportation;
  • Improve national safety standard measures, such as side guard rails for trucks;
  • Support the cycling industry in Canada;
  • Increase education for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
  • Bring all levels of governments together with cyclists and industry to build a plan that will encourage more Canadians ride bicycles.
  • Encourage cycling tourism

 

How To Support This Bill

 

  1. Sign the online petition.
  2. Download, print and sign this paper petition. Circulate it in your neighbourhood, your community, among your friends and family. Once it’s filled out, mail it (postage free) to MP Gord Johns, House of Commons, Ottawa ON, K1A 0A1.
  3. Write to your MP in support of MP Gord Johns private Member’s bill, and urge your community members to do the same. See below for a list of Brampton’s MPs.
  4. Share this post on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Brampton’s MPs

[three_columns] [column1]

Sonia Sidhu, Brampton South
24 Queen Street East, Suite 600
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 1A3
Phone: 905-846-0076
Email: Sonia.Sidhu@parl.gc.ca

[/column1] [column2]

Raj Grewal, Brampton East
1 Gateway Blvd., Suite 204
Brampton, Ontario
L6T 0G3
Phone: 905-458-1474
Email: Raj.Grewal@parl.gc.ca

[/column2] [column3]

Kamal Khera, Brampton West
35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 10
Brampton, Ontario
L7A 1A5
Phone: 905-454-4758
Email: kamal.khera@parl.gc.ca

[/column3] [/three_columns] [three_columns] [column1]

Ruby Sahota, Brampton North
50 Sunny Meadow Blvd., Suite 307
Brampton, Ontario
L6R 0Y7
Phone:  905-840-0505
Email: Ruby.Sahota@parl.gc.ca

[/column1] [column2]

Ramesh Sangha, Brampton Centre
100 Kennedy Road S,
Brampton, Ontario
L6W 3E7
Phone: 905-790-9211
Email: Ramesh.Sangha@parl.gc.ca

[/column2] [column3]

 

[/column3] [/three_columns]

 

Some Background

Many other OECD countries have already adopted cycling strategies and have seen a significant increase in cycling as a result. Canada lags behind in many cycling indicators, including the number of children who cycle to school which remains at 2%. Whereas in Germany, 15% of children cycle to school, and in the Netherlands 50% of children cycle to school.

 

What About Winter?

Cycling is possible in winter, with the right preparation.

Germany and the Netherlands are 2 examples of “winter countries”. Finland is another impressive example. While nationally, Finland enjoys a modest 11% cycling rate, the city of Oulu is something special. Located about 193 km from the Arctic Circle, Oulu has a 32% cycling rate in the summer, and retains an 12% cycling rate in winter. Several cities in Canada already encourage cycling in winter, including: Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Together, we can make Canada a cycling nation!