www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 7, 2016 | 6 As we give thanks this weekend for all our good fortune, and we share that abundance with our family, friends and, often, with those in need, we should similarly share when we use the roads in our community and beyond. Whether at the wheel of a working transport vehicle, an SUV , economy runabout or something in between, on our trusted two-wheel bicycle or on foot, we should make every journey armed with the knowledge we'll all return safely if we share our roads. Sure, some of them could have a few less potholes or bumps, but we are very fortunate, despite ongoing rush hour gridlock to have a road system that is policed, in good condition, extensive and regulated with signs and traf c lights. While many areas of the globe feature road systems that are a free-for-all and others clogged like nothing you've seen before, we are lucky to have what we have and we should share it properly to safeguard human lives. In late summer, an Oakville man lost his life while cycling on Lakeshore Road near Third Line. The tragic loss of a life that need not have occurred sparked concern among many in our town. The Oakville Beaver received emails and letters from readers expressing that concern. We paid attention and in September, ran an extensive, in-depth feature by veteran reporter David Lea that examined many facets of cycling safety in Oakville -- How safe is cycling in Oakville? (www.oakvillebeaver.com). This month, the federal government has announced a national task force to look at the very issue that was concerning to our residents: cycling safety. Oakville MP John Oliver and Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff, a long-time cycling enthusiast and advocate, are applauding. They are familiar with the local concern and are pleased to see local issue of concern take the spotlight at the federal level. The Trudeau government's Minister of Transportation Marc Garneau has announced he will work with the provinces and territories to create the task force, which will focus on increased safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians on the nation's busy roads. The minister said the task force would consider everything from cameras to side guards on large trucks, and dedicated bike lanes to electronic measures, to prevent collisions and reduce injuries and deaths. Earlier this week, NDP MP Gord Johns introduced a private member's bill in the House of Commons calling for a national cycling strategy. We echo our MPs' calls for improved cycling safety. We also recognize the basis to improving safety is everyone -- governments (municipal, provincial and federal), cyclists and drivers -- working together. On every journey, no matter the means of transport, we must all know, respect and follow the rules of the road. If we don't, someone is going to get hurt. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Share the wealth Editorial "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 54 | Number 81 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC PR voting system garnered support At the public consultation meetings on electoral reform, hosted in September by Oakville MP John Oliver and Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff, ve main types of voting systems were listed by guest speaker Mark Holland of the Ontario Ministry of Democratic Institutions. These ve systems each fall into one of two categories. Our current First-past-the-post (FPTP) system and also the Alternative Vote (sometimes called Preferential Ballot) system are both winner-take-all systems. Alternative Vote is just another FPTP system -- only the Letters to the Editor Director of Production MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager post has been moved. The other three systems are forms of proportional representation (PR) -- Pure PR, Mixed Member Proportional and Single Transferable Vote. With PR, the percentage of members elected to Parliament from each party better approximates the percentage of votes cast for each party. At the meeting hosted by MP Oliver, there was resounding expressed support for PR. Brian Hopkins, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Cyclists on sidewalks can unnerve pedestrians Re: How safe is cycling in Oakville?, Oakville Beaver, Sept. 23, 2016 Walking to the library this morning to use one of the computers, I was thinking about your very informative article in the Oakville Beaver consee Cyclists on p.10 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Pud by Steve Nease The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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