To The Mayor and Council:
On February 2nd, I emailed you to express my concerns about the initiative proposed by Bike Cochrane to deny dog owners access to the paved walkway through the Jim Uffelmann Off Leash Park. I want to express my appreciation to those of you who responded to it. In those responses you let me know that the matter had been referred to the Town Administration for study. It is now begun to concern me that, to date, there has not been any information about the proposal released to the public.
This letter is further to the suggestion that concluded my letter— That all bicycles be banned from the park. Since I contacted you, I have been at the park every day and my subsequent experiences have reinforced that conclusion.
I would ask you to consider given that:·
There is a paved walkway on the south side of the Bow River extending from the River Avenue Bridge down to the Jack Tennant Bridge, which does not pass through an off leash area, and which provides a suitable alternative for cyclists;
Many people with mobility issues, mothers with children in strollers, as well as others, utilize the Jim Uffelmann Park to walk their dogs and you need to recognize there is no suitable alternative for them;
While some cyclists are very responsible and careful of pedestrians and animals, far too many are themselves the biggest danger in the off-leash area, in that their negligence by not slowing down when approaching pedestrians and animals, nor warning pedestrians when overtaking from behind pose the biggest risk,
I would propose that you enact a bylaw that all bicycles, with one exception, be prohibited from the Jim Uffelmann Off Leash Park. That exception is children under the age of eleven when under the direct supervision of their parents or legal guardian. That will provide a safe suitable space for pedestrians and people who walk their dogs, while cyclists also have a path along the river.
Sincerely
John P. Knox
