Raise the Hammer

I really don't think GTA/Ontario residents realize how far behind the rest of the progressive world we're falling. I remember being in a suburb of Boston years ago and thinking how amazing it was that I could ride a train right downtown for a few bucks, and use my ticket all day on the subway system. NYC is adding bike infrastructure and wider pedestrian areas all over Manhattan. Montreal, Vancouver and Portland continue to work feverishly on the next generation of infrastructure for pedestrians and bikes. DC, Houston, Miami, Cleveland and others are working hard at establishing LRT, walkable neighbourhoods, bike connections to everywhere and vibrant street districts.

Here, we're still sitting on the QEW, or having to shell out $20 to ride the GO Train for 50 minutes with no bike lanes downtown and almost none that connect to anywhere. Lights are still timed on Main and Cannon to encourage speeding and discourage any other mode of transport. And predictably, the economy and vibrancy on those streets is just the same as it was 10, 20 and 30 years ago - dead as a doorknob. The lack of leadership, vision or understanding of what century it is here is really mind-boggling when you do a bit of travel in N. America - add international destinations into the mix and we are completely laughable....except it's not funny.
We're gonna pay for our lack of leadership in a HUGE way over the next couple decades as the boomers retire.

Hamilton might be a shell of its current self if we don't get with the program and attract next generation talent and companies here. And despite the musings of our 'leaders', businesses in the 21st Century don't want to be on Cannon or Main. They want Queen West, Distillery and Locke - bustling, pedestrian-oriented, connected, mixed-use and safe to sit, walk, bike, drive and enjoy.

Sadly in Hamilton that vision of an urban lifestyle is still labeled as 'commie, pinko, activist, war on car' etc..... tell that to Chicago, NY, Seattle, Copenhagen and Brisbane.

Comment edited by jason on 2012-11-02 15:14:06