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Proposed measures to improve road safety in Ottawa have been referred to staff as part of larger transportation studies, bewildering the councillor who wanted specific attention paid to her ideas.

“We normalize road deaths in this city. We allow them to happen,” Coun. Catherine McKenney said during a council meeting Wednesday, hours after two cyclists received minor injuries when they were struck by vehicles in separate collisions.

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McKenney wanted staff to come up with recommendations on changing traffic signals and road configurations to help pedestrians and cyclists. She also proposed that staff report back by the end of the year on a Vision Zero policy and framework to increase road safety and eliminate traffic deaths.

But Coun. Stephen Blais, chair of the transportation committee, convinced council in a 15-9 vote to refer McKenney’s proposal to staff as they work though an ongoing road safety study and the transportation master plan.