Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦Aug 9, 2023
Yesterday, I had the privilege & thrill of visiting the Edmonton International Airport tower and the Nav Canada control centre, in my capacity as a member of Standing Senate Committee on Transportation and Communications. It was a fascinating visit, and one that gave me so much insight into this aspect of our aviation sector. #Edmonton #yeg #EIA #NavCanada #Canada #SenateofCanada #TRCM #AirTrafficControl #Alberta
Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 10, 2023

@Paulatics has, does, the committee consider the *bicycle* when considering #transportation?

We see federal and provincial interest in electric cars, & hear of aspirations for passenger trains, but with so many Canadians living in dense urban communities, the potential for bicycles (acoustic & electric) to reduce carbon emissions, city infrastructure costs & health risks as well as to improve quality of urban life, is profound. Yet we hear zip from our federal authorities. Why?

#biketooter

Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 10, 2023

@Paulatics just to be clear, I'm not trying to be rhetorical or antagonistic. I'm genuinely puzzled.

Bicycles are so obviously the personal vehicle of the future; we make steel & aluminum & batteries in Canada, we have a history of bike design & building; we could have a bike/trike industry here (we could lead the world on #winterbiking). But our MPs seem oblivious (even Steven Guilbeault🤯).
Is it b/c the auto lobby is too rich? Or policy ppl still equate bikes with recreation?
#biketooter

Show threadAmelia Bellamy-Royds Aug 10, 2023

@HyL @Paulatics Probably a good part of this is the constitutional division of powers. The federal government really doesn't have a lot it can do to promote bike use. Traffic planning is a local matter. Licensing (of e-vehicles on public roads) is provincial.

Federal transportation authority is specifically for interprovincial modes of transportation (trains & planes) and product safety & environmental regulations (cars).

For bikes, the main thing they can do is directed infrastructure grants.

Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Aug 11, 2023
@AmeliasBrain @HyL Thank you. That's what I was about to explain. The Senate Transportation and Communications Committee deals with transportation that is federally regulated: so airports and airlines, railways, ports, etc. Municipal roadways, provincial highways, bike lanes, are not n our ambit. HOWEVER....I have also launched a Senate inquiry into federal/municipal relations which tries to deal, among other things, with federal infrastructure funding for municipalities. #TRCM #SenateofCanada
Show thread😀🚲Aug 11, 2023
@Paulatics @AmeliasBrain @HyL local bike and transit is key to the decision of whether a trip to a central train station is viable, vs an airport and a rental car. Also, much of the big-money projects need to do is stay out of the way of local connectivity, don't bisect neighborhoods and leave zero safe ways around by bike, walking, especially kids getting around on their own. Overbuilt carways take all of the space, to move handfuls of cars to the next red light, average 15mph on a good day.
Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Aug 11, 2023
@enobacon @AmeliasBrain @HyL Edmonton's train should be easily accessible by bike. A paved bike path along an old railway right-of-way goes almost all the way there. But not quite. And last time I checked, there was no sidewalk, much less a bike trail, that connects the last few blocks. There's also no way to get to the train station by bus or LRT, even though the LRT station isn't that far away. (But then again....we have almost no useful VIA service anyway.) Sigh. #Edmonton #yeg
Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 11, 2023

@Paulatics @AmeliasBrain
Yes. I read @enobacon's reply & knew immediately it was from someone unaware that Canada has effectively no passenger rail system (except for rich tourists) 🤭.

But a bike + bus route to the airport, and safe bike parking there, is something we *could* and should have. (Would bike storage at airports fall under your committee's purview, Senator?)

Show threaddragonfrogAug 11, 2023

@HyL @Paulatics @AmeliasBrain @enobacon

I understand that in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor (which does hold half the country's population), passenger rail almost rises to the level of a European economic basket case country that wouldn't be admitted into the EU.

I have not used the train in that corridor, so that's just from what I've heard.

In Western Canada, the Maritimes, and the rest of Ontario and Quebec, it's purely a tourist attraction, for sure.

Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 12, 2023

@dragonfrog @Paulatics @AmeliasBrain @enobacon

yes, between Hamilton & Montreal there is passenger rail & even commuter trains. But that is a tiny part of Canada's geography, & it used to be better, affordable, and an alternative to short flights.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whatonearth/rail-travel-canada-1.6681160

https://www.viarail.ca/en

What we can learn about the future of rail from its past | CBC Radio

The train used to be a romantic and luxurious mode of transportation, with companies competing for passengers. But in the last century, cars and airplanes have edged out an option that — with the right investment and infrastructure — could be a cheaper and greener alternative in Canada.

CBC
Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 12, 2023

@dragonfrog

If you like being frustrated, try to find trips between major Canadian cities using the ViaRail booking site ( https://www.viarail.ca/en )🤣

@Paulatics @AmeliasBrain @enobacon

#Canada
#Rail
#Travel
#AltText: Two screen shots, 1st showing search for train travel between Edmonton & Montréal, 2nd showing no train service found.

VIA Rail Canada: Train travel in Canada

Book now and discover all the benefits of travelling by train with VIA Rail. Take advantage of our best offers and enjoy a unique travel experience.

VIA Rail
Show threadDaveography 🇨🇦Aug 12, 2023

@HyL @dragonfrog @Paulatics @AmeliasBrain @enobacon

God what a tragic state.

Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦Aug 12, 2023
@Daveography @HyL @dragonfrog @AmeliasBrain @enobacon Years ago, when our daughter was small, our family took the train from Edmonton to Jasper and back. (With a holiday in between.) Now that’s near to impossible, since, last I checked, the only available train left at midnight and arrived about 5 AM. It’s such a waste. A useful Edmonton-Jasper train could be a huge boon for tourism. And business.
Show threadDr. Young-Leslie 🇨🇦Aug 12, 2023
@Paulatics
Indeed. I used to live in Jasper. The municipality, & Tourism Jasper, in diff years, spent thousands on market studies or lobbying, re: passenger rail service between Edmonton & Jasper. To no avail. There is interest; the market demand exists, year round. But there's no room on the tracks, b/c freight. So town & Parks spend $$ on parking lots & wider highway.
Now, a 🚲bike route🚴‍♀️ like the Loire Vélo routes, would be fun tourism🤔
@Daveography @dragonfrog @AmeliasBrain @enobacon
Show threadSenator Paula Simons🇨🇦
@HyL @Daveography @dragonfrog @AmeliasBrain @enobacon Sharing the tracks with the busy freight trains, of course, is a huge impediment to reliable, regular passenger service.
Aug 12, 2023 at 12:40pmWeb