Chris Greyson-GaitoSo what are the policies that #Guelph needs to enact to bring about what @bicyclemayorguelph.bsky.social and I imagine in https://open.substack.com/pub/bicylemayorguelph/p/imagining-a-wintry-guelph-where-the?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3yq7r
1. Remove parking minimums! See our policy document on this https://gcat.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Parking-Minimums-working-Doc-1.pdf
2. Allow low noise and low pollution businesses (i.e. hairdressers, small shops, etc) into all residential areas!
3. Increase the number of residential units per area especially along transit/bike corridors (e.g. Gordon/Woolwich, Edinburgh, and Victoria). And encourage 3/4 bedroom apartments to be built (so families don't just have to live in single family houses or townhouses).
4. Create a traffic circulation plan to route private vehicles mostly around Guelph and instead encourage walking/biking/transit https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA?si=SIS7OgCcJCf1PvZH
The Innovative Way Ghent, Belgium Removed Cars From The City
5. Put in a transit linear park between the downtown and the university. Allow only transit and active transportation in this park (and emergency vehicles). Add trees and landscaping.
6. Invest in active transportation and transit infrastructure. I.e. at minimum all ages/abilities bike lanes & 15 mins bus frequencies along all major corridors.
7. And of course in the winter, plow the bike lanes and sidewalks as a priority on major corridors! Also as mentioned in this article, place bike lanes and sidewalks right next to each other to make snow maintenance easier https://theurbanactivist.com/mobility/why-arctic-conditions-dont-stop-cycling-in-oulu-finland/
#Guelph could absolutely be an amazing place to walk/bike/bus around (even in winter). We just need to choose to do it!
@activeguelph.bsky.social @taaguelph.bsky.social