Case Ootes probably did not intend this, but his attempts to remove the bike lanes on Dundas Street East has brought cyclists and cycling issues into the Municipal campaign. His repeated statements during the campaign about his intention to remove the bike lanes once back in office has spurred many supporters of the Dundas East Bike Lanes and the Toronto Bike Plan to get involved in the election campagin.

At an all candidates meeting for Ward 29 on October 29th he again stated his opposition to the lanes which run through wards 30 and 32. (See insidetoronto.ca article). Community members who supported the bike lanes found an ally in Mr. Ootes' main rival John Papadakis. Several people have gone to work for Mr. Papadakis based on his support for the Dundas East lanes.

One of those who has got involved in the municipal campaign is Jacob Allderdice. He was provoked into action by statements by Mr. Ootes that he would work to get a motion through the next council to remove the bike lanes. (See insidetoronto.ca article). Jacob Allderdice said "It was this promise (or threat), that finally provoked me into action. Clearly, for cyclists, Ootes is public enemy number one."

Mr. Allderdice went in search of someone to take on the cause of protecting the bike lane project that local residents worked hard to achieve. "I had asked Jack Layton and Marilyn Churley if Ootes had any credible opposition, back at the Dundas bikelane celebration in Greenwood Park (Sept 28)(see previous article). They told me about John Papadakis, a former East York councillor. They described him as a former PC party member who had evolved, and now had the support of the NDP. I spent a long time tracking down John Papadakis. I googled him and studied whatever I could find out about him through the internet. He is a strong proponent of local government, an East York booster who worked hard to defeat Toronto's amalgamation. He believes in local energy grids and thinks Toronto needs more windpower and more solar power generation."

The next question was would Mr. Papadakis be a supporter of the Toronto Bike Plan and the lanes on Dundas Street East. Jacob describes how he went about determining that. "Speaking to Papadakis, I soon realized he is not a cyclist. It is possible he has never thought deeply about transportation choices, beyond an easy assertion (with everyone else who breathes in Toronto) that we need more public transit money from the province and the feds. His answers to your bike survey (Ward 29 - Papadakis) show he is "strongly supportive" of cycling initiatives except where they call for a specific commitment in his own ward. There he says the question "needs study." This is okay. Sandra Bussin "studied" the Dundas bikelane (she canvassed her constituents) but is now firmly onside. And Papadakis is against the bridge and island airport expansion, and critical of Ootes for failing to back the Kyoto protocol. He has a picture of Jane Jacobs in his campaign brochure, along with fellow east-end NDPers Churley and (Michael) Prue. Significantly, there's a shot of David Miller there, too." As a result of his research Jacob went to work for John Papadakis' campaign and has encouraged others to do so. Mr. Ootes has a well funded campaign and the huge advantage of incumbency. That has not detered the small army of bike lane supporters who have rallyed around Mr. Papadakis. Mr. Allderdice has put out a final call to the cycling community to get involved as the campaign winds down to the last day. His message is quoted below.

"If you can get the day off on Nov 10 Papadakis can use as much help as you can spare: I'm told they need "scrutineers" (whatever that is) for the polling stations as well as folks to get the vote out.

jake

Papadakis office: 416-465-8898
120 donlands ave M4J-2P5"

I asked Mr. Allderdice why he felt it necessary for cyclists to be involved in the election he replied, "Cyclists are residents, we pay taxes, we're affected by everything the city does. We should be involved in every election. Voting is the least we can do. But working for a candidate is the extra step that I have taken and that I am urging my fellow cyclists to take as well."