Essex planner honoured as `champion for cycling'

If you like bicycling in the county and you like the cycling infrastructure expansion that's been underway in recent years, give part of your thanks to Town of Essex planner Jeff Watson.

Watson was honoured at the 12th annual Ontario Bike Summit with the Share the Road Cycling Coalition's Wheels of Change professional of the year award.

“Jeff has been a champion for cycling and active transportation infrastructure in our community, and region as a whole,” said town CAO Chris Nepszy. “His leadership helped many recognize the value of investing in bike lanes and bike-friendly amenities.”

Watson was instrumental in the municipality achieving bronze-level Bike Friendly Community status in 2019, making Essex one of only 44 of Ontario's 444 municipalities to have reached that level. According to Nepszy, Watson advocated for the completion of bike shoulders along County Road 50 — home to many wineries and spectacular Lake Erie views — which has become a popular cycling route.

“On behalf of the Town, I'd like to thank Jeff for his infectious passion and tireless dedication, as well as congratulate him on this well-deserved award,” Nepszy said in a statement.

The Share the Road coalition's award recognizes advocates and professionals across Ontario for their “leadership, innovation and relationship building in cycling.”

In addition to serving on the County Wide Active Transportation Network, which has been expanding cycling paths and other active transportation infrastructure across Essex County, Watson's employer said he has “also led the way for the installation of bike repair stations and creation of new cycling-based recreational programs.”