Ottawa councillor Tobi Nussbaum wants snow cleared from more paths

Ottawa Coun.Tobi Nussbaum wants the city to commit in its plans to clear more paths for pedestrians and cyclists this winter.

Councillors on the City of Ottawa'stransportation committee have already pledged $200,000 a year to remove more snow on top of the 20 kilometres of paths already cleared but the plan still needs to be approved at budget time.

"Everybody benefits because we'll have peoplewho chose to do this, it will relieve congestion, it will lessen the wear and tear on our roads, and it will give people real choice in the way they move around our city," saidNussbaum, who cycles year round.

"I love taking my bike, I get sad every year when I have to stop, so I would totally extend my biking season," said residentNicola Cameron.

The city mostly clears paths considered essential, leaving out routes such asthe O-Train pathway.

A map detailing the proposed additional pathways is expected bynext month.

Nussbaumsaidcities with a similar climate, such as Copenhagen, Denmark, havemore people biking in the winter because the city clears more paths.