Bob Bell, a four-term city councillor and longtime active transportation advocate, has died.
Little information is available at this point, but a person who answered the phone at Wike, a bicycle trailer and accessory company Bell founded in 1990, confirmed he died Tuesday while out of the country.
“I’m completely gutted, not only as the mayor and a colleague but as a friend,” commented Mayor Cam Guthrie. “Our city is definitely better off for the contributions Bob made.”
Bell was first elected as councillor in 2006 and was re-elected three times, for a total of 16 years on council. He opted not to run again last fall.
“I’ve certainly been on long enough and it’s been difficult holding down two jobs at the same time and I am getting a little long in the tooth,” Bell told GuelphToday of his decision.
Asked what he was most proud of from his time on council, Bell was quick to point to advancements in active transportation infrastructure, followed by promotion of affordable and social housing in the city.
“Although we’re just starting to turn the corner on that, I hope I’ve been of some influence in that regard,” he said of the latter, adding he’s been “not too successful” in his efforts to see the city “hold the line” on spending.
Bell represented Ward 1 on council, alongside Coun. Dan Gibson who has represented the ward since 2014.
“I hold councillor Bell in very high regard,” said Gibson. “He’s a councillor who governed on conviction and he’s established a terrific company in town.
“Our community is at a loss today. … He will be missed.”
Bell held several cycling-related patents; his Guelph-based company sold bicycle trailers and other accessories worldwide.
“I always valued his advice,” Mike Darmon, president of Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation, said of Bell. “We used Bob as a kind of mentor. He’s helped us over the years with all sorts of active transportation ideas.
“We didn’t always agree, but his passion drove me to advocate for more of this stuff.”
