An event geared toward active transportation is being held at the Stratford Rotary Complex on Wednesday. Feb. 22.

The keynote speaker will be Eleanor McMahon, founder of Share the Road – an organization dedicated to making Ontario bicycle friendly – will discuss safe and complete roads which are geared towards pedestrians and cyclists, along with motor vehicles.

Also scheduled to speak is Waterloo Coun. Dianne Freeman, who will share how her city acheived silver bicycle friendly community status.

There will also be exhibits. The event is free and doors open at 6 p.m., with presentations starting at 7 p.m.

At a recent council meeting, Coun. George Brown urged his colleagues to get involved in the initiative.

Brown, who attended a Share the Road event late last year, said the concept is simple – to make roads safe for all forms of transportation.

“In many cases in Stratford all we have to do is paint some lines and put up some signs,” he said. “In some cases we need to design roads to control speed.”

He also suggested when roads are rebuilt, it should be in such a way to accomodate all forms of transportation.

Brown stressed the need for bicycle and pedestrian crossings and suggested Stratford adopt the approach of other municipalities by installing a sidewalk on one side of the street and an alternative transportation lane on the opposite side.

“This is happening in many municipalities across Ontario, across Canada, he said. “Windsor ... Waterloo ... Ottawa ... all smart cities that are doing this.”

Stratford is also missing out on tourism linked to cycling, he said, noting the Niagara region attracts bike enthusiasts because of its reputation as one of the best areas to cycle in the province.

He also encouraged council to take steps to improve the trail network in the city this year.