Ken Stewart, candidate Maple Ridge Council 2011

1. What modes of transportation do you normally use within your community and within Metro Vancouver?
I usually drive for work, but often ride for pleasure. I did ride to work when I lived in Victoria .

2. How would you support and encourage cycling for transportation - for people of all ages and abilities - to promote healthy and livable communities?
I believe that for many, by providing adequate facilities at the work place would encourage biking to work. The reality is for many a long commute by bicycle is impractical or for trades people, but for the local area lockers and showers may due the trick. For Central Haney bike lockers in the underground parking may work with access to the Leisure Centre for showers.

3. There have been many surveys asking people what it would take to get them on a bike. The number one thing people want is separated cycling facilities. How would you support separated bike lanes on key routes? If you are not in support, please explain why.
There are many bike routes in Maple Ridge that work locally, but I also think a multi use route properly designed is the best value for money for overall community use. The Blue Goose Trail is a good example.

4. Maple Ridge has no off-road (non-mountain-) biking/multi-use trails and is lagging behind other Lower Mainland communities in this respect. How do you feel off-road biking/multi-use trails can benefit Maple Ridge, and how do you suggest to start developing a network of trails.
I don’t agree Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows has many miles of such trails. I can leave my back door and go for hours upon end on my bike (which I often do) on the dikes and up to the parks without ever being in conflict with road traffic.

5. If elected, would you aim to increase or decrease cycling funding from current levels? Do you feel that cycling funding levels should merely reflect the present level of cycling in our communities, or should it reflect the potential of cycling - not only as a means of transportation and for recreation, but also in view of the many desirable benefits cycling has for individuals as well as for our communities/society, such as health benefits, improved livability, reduced greenhouse gasses/pollution, reduced oil-dependency, reduced need for expensive car infrastructure/parking lots, reduced congestion, etc.?
Anything we can do to relieve traffic congestion and increase outdoor recreation is a benefit both from a health and traffic perspective. Let’s not forget that by also promoting walking would have many of the same desired outcomes.

6. What is your level of interest in a public bike-share system integrated with the transit system? How do you think a public bike-share system in Vancouver can benefit Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows residents?
I am not sure what is meant by bike-share, though I recently saw a system in Paris where you pick up a bike in one area and can drop it off anywhere in the city.

7. What role do you think the municipality has in supporting and promoting cycling education for children, cyclists and motorists?
I believe that that best way is for the city to give support to the interested organizations such as yours with the knowledge to do the promotion and education.

8. How do you feel e-bikes can play a role in our transportation system?
What do you see as the benefits of e-bikes as compared to cars?
What can e-bikes mean for less densely populated suburban communities like Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows?
I trust by e-bike you are referring to an electric bike? Electric bikes certainly have an attraction for those a bit older, less athletic or who want a bit more range with less work on hills.  An electric bike is still a bike and faces the same perils as a regular bike when using the road system.

9. Would you be interested in joining members of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition on a bike ride through your community?
Possibly.