Ok, bear with me; working through an idea.
The @CityofEdmonton has identified that to institute the #biketransportation infrastructure needed to meet climate crisis, human well-being & municipal tax affordability goals, will cost ~ $200M. But only $100M was budgeted. /1st
So we have a shortfall of $100M over the next budget cycle (2023-26).
Car-dedicated infrastructure (lanes, parking, parking lots) is pricey to the municipal budget, & is always inadequate: it induces demand & increases risk, noise, pollution rather than easing congestion, etc. /2
Bicycle infrastructure is cheaper to maintain, & induced demand makes for reduced risk, noise, pollution.
So it's in the city budget's best interest to increase bicycle use while reducing car use.

But by what mechanisms? /3
In Canada, cities basically have property taxes, bylaws & zoning as their tools. Pretty limited options. Eg., municipalities may not impose extra tax ($£€¥) on drivers using certain areas, the way UK & EU cities have, to reduce cars & increase public transit or bike use. /4
So here's where I need some #yegcc & urban budget & planning acumen.
WHAT IF the city assessed a special Climate Crisis Levy on commercial properties dedicated to activities that *enable* car-use, & dedicated all revenues from the extra levy to meeting the $100M shortfall? /5
What kind of commercial properties? Gas stations & car dealerships, automotive repairs, auto body shops, tire-sellers, etc.
Of course, the property owners would kvetch, then pass on the levy-cost to the commercial operators on those properties, who would raise their prices. /6
The raised prices for fuel, repairs, etc, would create disincentive pressure on car use, whilst simultaneously ensuring the polluters pay for the costs they impose on the municipal budget, & building the piggy bank for the climate crisis fighting infrastructure we need. /7
* & public transit use.
City council could vote to make such a Special Assessment temporary - eg, until the bike network/active transportation infrastructure project is completed & paid for. Or not. They might, for example, dedicate any surplus to neighbourhood renewal, or parks, or e-bike subsidies /8
It would require a #courageous council, ready to incur the kvetchers' temporary wrath. But also #visionary leaders, willing to work with the businesses to be impacted (some might decide to change their business model--which is probably inevitable), for the greater good. /9 #yegcc
What say you, #yegcc?
Does the muni have the legislated power for this? If so, does this council & admin have the chutzpah, guts, vision?
@AmarjeetSohiYEG
@edmonton_anne
@AaronWardDene
@AndrewKnack
@AshleyASalvador
@Erinforanirniq
@joannewrightyeg
@michaeljanz
@_TimCartmell /10

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More from @H_Y_L

Jan 25, 2022
@pitaTofua Sending a plea for help from #Kotu (Home of the Taufatofua chiefly title). Professor Perminow, author of the book about Kotu's response to the March 2011 #tsunami warning, reports: "the situation is quite a bit worse than the air photos indicated"
#TongaVolcanoTsunami
Cont'd: "Dear friends, finally received a first hand eye witness account on the ground from Kotu... Sitiveni Fehoko... returned from Lulunga yesterday after having brought relief supplies & this is what he reports: /2
#TongaVolcanoTsunami #Haapai #Kotu
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Jun 14, 2021
ANTICIPATION....
At the @GoAHealth immunization clinic at 12:35, for a 13:10 appointment. Parking lot full. Queue around the building. I join the queue, take the fresh medical mask & wait. "We are serving 12:40 appointments says the announcer". At 13:10, she invites 12:50 people.
The queue is calm, orderly. But it's hot & there's not much shade. People all around the parking lot, in shade puddles, waiting for their time's announcement. @ 13:17, she invites 13:00 (1pm) appointments.
The queue takes approx 20 mins to move around the building. Once in the queue, some people are facing the dilemma: wait & hope the new time is announced before reaching the door? Or get into the shade?
I feel like we've already had the dress rehearsal for this with Dose 1.
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Jun 1, 2021
A screed, re: #StopPSEcuts & #ProtectOurFuture:

The video is brilliant. It captures most of what I would have said, if I'd been able to carve out the time to make a video by deadline. What I would add is how angry I feel.
via @YouTube
I'm angry that so many colleagues have been laid off. I'm angry that they've been laid off and disappeared by our senior administrators, and that those of us still here are not permitted to grieve. /2
#StopPSEcuts & #ProtectOurFuture:
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#StopPSEcuts & #ProtectOurFuture
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#BikeTheft #yegbike @BikeIndex @edmontonpolice
Vintage Dutch Bike Stolen. Please help rescue Rosa Luxembike from the nasty bike thieves! Image
bikeindex.org/bikes/1056905
Constable K.Hurd, @edmontonpolice is on the case 🤞🚲🤞🚲🤞🚲
Rosa Luxembike has been RESCUED! Thanks to the honest pawn broker at CashCanada, who checked @BikeIndex, & the @edmontonpolice
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Mayor @doniveson warns Albertans not to flout Covid19 precautions just because the @Alberta_UCP MLAs & staff did. We refer to the impact from politicians' bad modelling of public health advisories as the #DominicCummingsEffect. It's measurable. It's dangerous.
#CummingsEffect happens when the public stop adhering to public health messages after learning that a political figure personally flouted the same advice. It is a measurable danger during an epidemic. *This* is the real danger from the #UCPvacations. (2)
thelancet.com/journals/lance…
The effect is named for Dominic Cummings, an aide to the UK PM @BorisJohnson. Cummings & his family flouted health advisories & travelled from London to Durham. Both felt ill; later covid19 +ve. Their action shocked locked-down Brits, & scandal ensued (3) bbc.co.uk/news/uk-528111…
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