Ride with Candidates: Bil Ioannidis, Kitchener (Ward 7)

Posted on by Emily Slofstra
Posted in: I bike I vote, Rides with Candidates 2018

In the months before the 2018 municipal election, CycleWR volunteers have been taking municipal electoral candidates for bike rides to show off the best and worst of the cycling infrastructure in their ward/city/region. For a full list of completed rides, click here. CycleWR is a non-partisan organization that does not support any particular party or candidate. Summaries are written by volunteers or candidates and may not reflect the mandate or views of CycleWR. For more information, contact us at hello@cyclewr.ca.

CycleWR volunteer Mike took Kitchener Ward 7 incumbent Bil Ioannidis out for a bike ride this summer. Here’s what Mike had to say about it:

The ride went well. We cycled on Fischer-Hallman, Victoria, and to the roundabouts at Ira Needles. Yes, those are Regional roads but it was good to highlight how things can fail when jurisdictions overlap. Bil talked about how it takes building good relationships with other levels of government to move projects forward.

We also biked trails along the rail line that seemed very new but will be a good connection point between University and Victoria.

Bil seemed very engaged in improving cycling infrastructure. He spoke of his work to have bike lanes build on Westforest, and the pushback he received from some residents at the perceived loss of parking. I think he can be a very good ally if we show him how much the community does want these improvements.

Bil’s website says he supports:

  • The expansion of multi-use trails and cycling paths
  • Investment in the cities transportation network and infrastructure
  • Continued initiatives to lessen congestion and promote walking, cycling and public transportation