CYCLE ROUTE ON RIGHT TRACK
HEALTH LEADERS SUPPORT PLAN FOR DOWN TOWN NETWORK
Public health leaders are wading into the debate over a proposed downtown Calgary bike network, giving a thumbs-up to the $15-million plan for its potential contribution to physical activity and good health.
In an endorsement letter to city council this month, Dr. Richard Musto, Calgary’s lead medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services, offered his “enthusiastic support” for the cycle track network proposal.
Musto cited research showing health benefits of regular cycling and the networks’ ability to reduce the likelihood of injuries from car crashes.
The letter follows an endorsement in February from Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. James Talbot, who also touted bicycling infrastructure as one route toward better health.
In an interview on Monday, Musto said his role as medical officer of health is to steer city officials toward evidence about the benefits of healthy living.
“Clearly, this is something that impacts health, so it’s of interest to me. It also enhances our community,” Musto said.
“This is in my bailiwick, but the power to make the change is with city council. It’s a role for me to provide them with evidence.”
The controversial proposal to introduce five dedicated cycling tracks for a one-year trial is set to come before a council committee for debate on Wednesday.
The issue has already generated numerous endorsements from diverse voices including Olympian Denny Morrison and Calgary Economic Development, while others, such as the Building Owners and Managers Association and a group representing residents and merchants of Chinatown, have panned the proposal.
Ward 4 Coun. Sean Chu, who has drawn outrage in the past from Calgary’s cycling community for his observations on the merits of bike lanes, said he welcomed the input of the public health officials.
“It’s good because we’ve got a conversation going, we’ve got a dialogue going,” he said.
Health benefits, however, are just one piece of the debate, he added. “Is biking good for health? Of course it’s good for health. There’s also pros and cons, the other side of the coin.”
AHS, the colossal provincial agency in charge of delivering health care in Alberta, has entered the city’s public policy fray in the past, notably opposing council’s move to remove fluoride from Calgary’s water.
Coun. Brian Pincott called Musto’s endorsement of the proposed cycling lanes “important” to the debate.
“I think it’s good that he recognizes that this is actually a public health issue as well, from his point of view,” Pincott said.
Pincott, who publicly argued to end fluoridation, called the fluoride debate “an ethical issue,” not a health issue, while the cycle track network wades into public health, financial and environmental territory.
Kimberley Nelson, president of Bike Calgary, said it makes sense to explore potential health benefits in the debate over the proposed changes, and welcomed the input of public health officials.
“They’re the ones that are signing the cheques at the end of the day for our Alberta health care,” she said.