Cycleon Ontario's Cycling Strategy

#CycleON Ontario’s Cycling Strategy Ontario’s Cycling #CycleON Strategy Welcome Strategic Directions Appendix

Minister’s #CycleON Friends Message Design Healthy, Active and and Supporters 1 Prosperous Communities

Improve Cycling Infrastructure Related Online Foreword 2 Resources

Make Highways and Streets Safer The Need for 3 Photo Credits Action: Cycling’s Promote Cycling Awareness Province-wide and Behavioural Shifts Beneﬁts 4 Endnotes 5 Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities Ontario’s 20 Year Cycling Vision, Principles and Achieving the Vision Goals through Action Minister’s Message

I am pleased to share with you #CycleON, We think #CycleON will add signiﬁcantly Ontario’s 20-year vision for cycling in to those choices. #CycleON the province. #CycleON is a strong and will give Ontarians and their families integrated strategy – our goal is to help greater mobility. make Ontario the number one province for cycling in Canada. To strive for our vision of a more cycling- friendly Ontario, we need to work in We do not live in a world of cyclists, partnership – across ministries, with drivers, pedestrians, wheelchair users municipalities, schools, transit agencies, and transit riders. We live in a world of cycling associations, tourism organizations, people who move, whether it’s our eight- drivers, health promotion agencies, and year-old daughter walking to school, mom many others. There’s a role for everyone. riding her bike to work or dad driving in his car on Highway 417, we are people who I would like to express my sincere thanks make choices about how we move. We to all of our partners and the people of make those choices based on travel time, Ontario, particularly the more than 1,000 convenience, and for many, ethics and civic people from across the province who responsibility. This Strategy is one more provided valuable suggestions and advice step in giving Ontarians healthier, more during the development of this Strategy. convenient and safer choices on how they want to move.

Ontarians have told us they want transportation options that are convenient and affordable. They want transportation that uses less fuel, is safer, causes less Glen Murray pollution and requires less expensive infra- Minister of Transportation, structure. Ontarians want transportation Minister of Infrastructure that brings neighbourhoods together and integrates seamlessly into the built form of their community. Foreword

Cycling has become a communities in Ontario reap the benefits Ideas drawn from across popular activity in Ontario, of cycling. It is designed to encourage the the province both for recreation and growth of cycling and improve the safety of people who cycle across the province. To develop the best Strategy possible, we daily transportation. asked the public and cycling stakeholders At the heart of the Strategy are a bold for comments, suggestions and ideas that Recent Ministry of Transportation surveys Vision, ambitious Goals and a set of should be considered. of road users suggest that around 1.2 carefully targeted Strategic Directions. million adults in Ontario ride a bicycle daily These will guide the development of The response levels were extraordinarily during the spring, summer and fall, and 2.8 policies, programs and legislation over high. We received more than 1,000 written million ride at least once a week. These the next 20 years. Achieving the Strategy’s submissions, most of them from private high level statistics don’t tell the full story Vision requires a commitment from all individuals, in response to an early draft – there are many communities in Ontario partners for integrated action to: of the Cycling Strategy released for public where few people cycle. consultation in November 2012.  Design healthy, active and prosperous Cycling generates a wide range of health, communities economic, environmental, social and  Improve cycling infrastructure other benefits. These include improved  Make highways and streets safer personal health, reduced health care  Promote cycling awareness and costs as a result of lower rates of chronic behavioural shifts conditions through active living, reduced  Increase cycling tourism in Ontario. traffic congestion in urban areas, a cleaner environment and increased tourism oppor- Cycling is an activity that is affected by the tunities across the province. actions of many organizations, including different levels of government, cycling and transportation associations, safety organi- A new strategy to increase zations, businesses and health units. The cycling in Ontario Ontario Government wants to work with all groups with an interest in cycling to bring #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy to life the Vision of this Strategy. looks ahead 20 years and asks what needs to be done to help more people and

– 4 – Foreword (Cont’d)

We also brought together, for a one day Goals and Strategic Directions contained in specially convened workshop, representa- #CycleON. The list of potential initiatives tives from 24 organizations – municipali- generated through the consultation exercises ties, cycling organizations, motor vehicle will help shape future Action Plans. associations, public health units, the Ontario Provincial Police, infrastructure These Action Plans, which will also experts and cycling advocates – to get be developed in consultation with our their input. partners, will translate the Goals and Strategic Directions of the Strategy The need to improve cycling infrastruc- into specific projects and initiatives. ture, safety and road user education were Each Action Plan will include specific among the top areas of concern. performance metrics and indicators, report on progress to date, discuss new issues In addition, the Office of the Chief Coroner and emerging trends, and identify projects for Ontario released in June 2012 a review of and the partnerships that will be needed to all accidental cycling deaths in Ontario from achieve results. 2006 to 2010.1 The review recommended, among other actions, that the Ministry of The government is committed to increasing Transportation (MTO) should develop a the number and safety of people who cycle new cycling strategy for Ontario. in the province. But we can’t do it alone. The strength of this Strategy is that it is powered by partnerships and collaboration. Where do we go from here? We need the support of municipalities, the broader public, road users, businesses and #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy non-governmental organizations. will be implemented through ongoing, multi-year Action Plans. The Strategy We are looking forward to collaborat- provides a route to achieve our 20-year ing with and supporting the work of all Vision, and the Action Plans will identify stakeholders to create an Ontario where a step-by-step process to accomplish our cycling is widely accepted and valued Goals. All of the comments, suggestions by people of all ages as a normal, safe, and ideas received have shaped the Vision, convenient and daily mode of transportation. – 5 – Summary of Ontario’s Cycling Strategy

Vision 2033 Cycling in Ontario is recognized, respected, and valued as a core mode of transportation that provides individuals and communities with health, economic, environmental, social and other beneﬁts.

Guiding Principles Safety Accessibility and Connectivity Partnership Aspirational Goals for 2033 1 2 3 4 5 Ontario is recognized as the The built environment Ontario’s cycling Ontario’s cities and Ontario has an integrated best Canadian province for in most Ontario environment is safe towns will have intercon- province-wide network of cycling and ranked among the communities supports for people of all ages, nected networks of safe cycling routes. top 10 jurisdictions worldwide and promotes cycling for striving to achieve a cycling routes enabling for cycling. At least one all trips under 5 km. record of zero fatalities people to cycle to work, Ontario city is ranked among and few serious injuries. school, home and key the 10 most bike-friendly destinations. cities in the world.

Strategic Directions

Healthy, Active and Cycling Infrastructure Safer Highways and Streets Awareness and Cycling Tourism Prosperous Communities Behavioural Shift Develop a funding partnership Review and recommend Promote Ontario as a premier Enhance cycling provisions when with municipalities and the cycling-related legislation based Lead province-wide campaigns cycling tourism destination planning policies, guidelines and federal government to build on the latest research to encourage more people to Identify a province-wide legislation are reviewed provincial and municipal cycling Continue to better educate all cycle more often cycling network and use it to Partner with municipalities to routes road users on the rules of the Develop and share relevant prioritize future infrastructure implement Complete Streets Make adherence to design road and build cycling skills cycling best practices, research investments on provincial policies and develop cycling or guidelines conditional to Work with police services and data highways active transportation plans as receiving funding to build consistency of Encourage more cycling Improve cycling tourism applicable Fund provincial and municipal enforcement of existing traffic education in schools and at the experiences in Ontario and Partner with municipalities and cycling infrastructure pilot laws to improve cycling safety community level inter-modal cycling connections transit agencies to integrate projects to test new ideas and by working with our partners cycling with transit gather data to provide end-of-trip facilities, Ensure that bicycles are better Remove barriers and streamline maps of existing cycling routes accommodated in institutional, approval processes to and way-finding applications residential and commercial implement cycling infrastructure buildings – 6 – Future Action Plans The Need for Action: Cycling’s Province-wide Benefits

Riding a bike is a simple A wealth of benefits to illness, premature death or a range of pleasure. It appeals to people other factors, including mental illness and 4 of all ages and abilities, from If we were to increase the number of poor quality of life.” trips people made by bike, how would all backgrounds. For the we benefit? individual who cycles, it’s an activity that can generate Improved personal and public health health benefits and cut Cycling keeps you active. A lack of physical transportation costs. activity is a significant risk factor in car- diovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, bone and joint disease But multiply the individual benefits of cycling and depression.2 Cycling burns more by millions and the personal, social, environ- calories than sitting in a car, which is one mental and economic impacts are huge. of the reasons why the Ontario Medical Association recommends incorporating Research from around the world suggests cycling into our daily lives.3 Many people that encouraging more people to cycle more could meet the physician-suggested levels often generates multiple benefits. In fact, of physical activity simply by commuting to increasing the growth of cycling as a mode work by bike, for example. of day-to-day travel as well as a means of recreation could help us address some of the 19,780 Increasing cycling would have cumulative most pressing issues facing Ontario today. societal benefits. According to the The average number of Canadian Medical Association, “a 10 per people who cycle to work cent increase in physical activity could every day in Toronto.13 reduce direct health-care expenditures by $150 million a year. This does not include indirect costs such as lost productivity due

– 7 – The Need for Action: Cycling’s Province-wide Beneﬁts (Cont’d)

Cycling can also help improve mental Dollars and cents health. Stress management and a healthy Cycling tourism is booming. In 2010, two work-life balance are important factors in million Canadian visitors went cycling while maintaining mental well-being. According travelling in Ontario and spent $391 million, to Ontario’s Ministry of Health and which was an 18 per cent increase in Long-Term Care, engaging in physical spending over the previous year.8 One bed activities like cycling can help people cope & breakfast operator in the Niagara Region with stress, build their self-confidence and reported that cyclists represent 50 per cent form supportive friendships. of their guests, a huge increase over the previous decade.9 Cleaner environment One litre of gasoline emits about 2.3 kg of carbon dioxide (CO ) when burned.5 2 CASE STORY CO2 is a greenhouse gas (GHG) and the main contributor to climate change. Reaching On average, transportation accounts for around one third of Ontario’s total GHG for Excellence Cervélo Cycles was founded in 1995 by emissions.6 two engineers, Phil White and Gérard A community that includes Vroomen. Their passion was to develop Cycling does not produce any significant the best of the best better high-performance, time-trial bikes. GHG emissions or other air pollutants. Did they succeed? At the 2008 Beijing More people choosing to cycle would Ontario’s bike community is broad, diverse Olympics, more than 40 athletes competed and growing. It includes about 500 retail on Cervélo bikes, garnering 10 Olympic mean fewer emissions. bike stores14 plus equipment manufactur- medals – three Gold, five Silver and two ers, tourism operators, and cycling visitors Bronze. That same year, Carlos Sastre won A study by Toronto Public Health found from around the world. The heart of this the Tour de France riding a Cervélo bike. that air pollution associated with traffic community is the millions of people who contributes to about 440 premature deaths ride bikes in Ontario. They range from Just like the founders of Cervélo Cycles, and 1,700 hospitalizations per year in people who occasionally ride around the we have the potential to become cycling 7 the City of Toronto alone. Reducing air neighbourhood to world-class elite athletes leaders. Realizing that vision would pollution by replacing motor vehicle trips – a group that is well known to Toronto- change the lives of people in Ontario for with cycling trips could help decrease based Cervélo Cycles. generations to come. the number of premature deaths and – 8 – hospitalizations. The Need for Action: Cycling’s Province-wide Benefits (Cont’d)

Cycling tourism holds tremendous growth In smaller towns, cycling can often potential for both rural and urban areas of account for a higher percentage of trips CASE STORY Ontario. There are hundreds of municipal taken due to the short distance between and regional cycling routes across the destinations. For example, in Espanola Charity province. Connecting them into a province- about 5 per cent of all commutes are made cycling events wide system would create more tourism by bike, whereas in the City of Toronto the opportunities. figure is around 1.7 per cent.11 Pedal-powering to build better lives for all Canadians Local businesses also benefit from Statistics suggest there is significant day-to-day spending by Ontarians potential in Ontario to increase the number One sure sign of the growing popularity who cycle. In urban areas, cyclists and of people who regularly ride their bikes of cycling in Ontario is the increase pedestrians spend more money with local to work or school. One out of every three in charity cycling events. They range businesses than motorists who visit the people has a daily, one way commute of in size from neighbourhood tours to neighbourhood, according a study by the less than five kilometres,12 a distance that two-day rides, such as the Gear Up Clean Air Partnership.10 an average adult can cycle in 30 minutes to End MS tour from Grand Bend to or less. One of our Aspirational Goals is London. In 2013, the biggest of all – the that the built environment in most Ontario Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart Ontario’s Cycling Potential communities supports and promotes – brought together 13,000 cyclists who rode the streets and car-free cycling for all trips under five kilometres. expressways of downtown Toronto to The Ministry of Transportation’s 2013 Road raise $5.5 million to support world-class Safety Marketing Attitude and Behaviour While cycling is not an option for everyone research and heart-health promotion. Survey suggests that around 1.2 million – it is not always practical or convenient, For many, these become annual events adults in Ontario ride a bicycle daily during and some individuals have mobility that combine having fun with providing the spring, summer and fall, and 2.8 million challenges – we can all benefit by making worthwhile opportunities to give ride at least once a week it a more viable transportation option for something back to their community. more people in Ontario. Despite these encouraging province-wide cycling numbers, statistics on the number of commuters in individual cities and towns suggest big differences across the province. They also highlight how much potential there is to increase cycling as a – 9 – mode of transportation. Ontario’s 20 Year Cycling Vision, Principles and Goals

Vision 2033: Creating a more MTO will play a central role in the process. bike-friendly Ontario MTO will champion the acceptance and adoption of cycling as a highly valued Increasing the number of cyclists in mode of transportation and will review Ontario holds the potential for tremendous, and recommend updates to cycling-related broad, long-term beneﬁts. But there are policies, practices, design guidelines and challenges. legislation based on the latest research. The Ontario Government will support the For Ontario to reap the rewards of work of our partners to jointly create a increased cycling, we need to increase safer, more convenient cycling system understanding and awareness of cycling across the province. through education and outreach programs. We need to include more cycling infrastructure within our communities. We need to create a safer cycling environment to encourage more people to ride their bikes more often. We need to better connect Vision 2033 Cycling in Ontario is the cycling routes within Ontario to create recognized, respected and more cycling tourism opportunities. To help shape our collaborations valued as a core mode of and partnerships, we offer a It’s a big task that will take time. It will long-term vision of what we could transportation that provides involve many partners: provincial ministries achieve by working together. It individuals and communities and agencies, municipalities across provides a picture of an Ontario with health, economic, Ontario, road-user groups, businesses, 20 years into the future in which non-governmental organizations and cycling is broadly accepted as a environmental, social and private individuals. normal part of daily life. other benefits.

– 10 – Ontario’s 20 Year Cycling Vision, Principles and Goals (Cont’d)

Guiding Principles Aspirational Goals for 2033

A set of basic principles guide the Goals provide valuable targets by development of strategies that will which we can measure our progress, enable us to achieve the Vision. They are reﬁne our priorities and assess new grounded in shared values consistent with opportunities. By choosing bold public policy and program development Aspirational Goals, we are envisioning initiatives undertaken by all levels of an Ontario where cycling opportunities government across the province. are among the best in the world.

Safety The safety of all road users, including cyclists, is paramount. Ontario is recognized as the best 1 Canadian province for cycling and ranked among the top 10 jurisdic- Partnership tions worldwide for cycling. At least one Ontario city is ranked Partnerships and collaborations among the 10 most bike-friendly among all stakeholders – cyclists, cities in the world. governments at all levels, industry and researchers – are essential to The built environment in most Ontario’s cities and towns have increasing the cycling mode share Ontario communities supports interconnected networks of safe in Ontario. 4 2 and promotes cycling for all trips cycling routes enabling people to under 5 km. cycle to work, school, home and key destinations. Accessibility and Connectivity Ontario’s cycling environment Cycling in Ontario is accessible 3 is safe for people of all ages, Ontario has an integrated, for people of all ages and abilities. striving to achieve a record of zero 5 province-wide network of Networks are interconnected and fatalities and few serious injuries. cycling routes. integrated with other modes of transportation. – 11 – Ontario’s 20 Year Cycling Vision, Principles and Goals (Cont’d)

Strategic Directions Promote awareness and One person riding a bike is a Improve cycling behavioural infrastructure simple activity. Making it safe shifts and convenient for millions of 2 4 people to cycle daily is a more Increasing cycling as a daily activity will Encouraging more people to ride complex task. Accomplishing our require more bike paths, cycling routes their bikes means communicating the goals means moving forward in a and cycling-friendly transit connections. beneﬁts of cycling, sharing cycling- As we build that infrastructure, we related data and research, and demon- coordinated way on a number of need to consider new design guidelines strating leadership on cycling issues. different fronts. To increase the that will beneﬁt all road users. We can number and safety of cyclists in also explore opportunities for innovative Ontario, we propose to: funding and development models that could help support this growth.

Design healthy, active and Make Increase prosperous highways and cycling tourism 1 communities 3 streets safer 5 opportunities The design of Ontario communities has evolved We can reduce cycling road fatalities and Ontario’s cycling tourism industry is since the post-war period. The focus today is injuries by continuing to ensure our traffic growing and creating new economic on creating communities that mix residential laws and policies are based on the latest opportunities for communities. On-road and business activities in an environment that research and reflect the differences between and off-road cycling paths abound in supports active transportation. The goal is to bicycles and motor vehicles. Enforcing the the province. Connecting them into a build active, liveable communities in which rules of the road, improving cycling skills and province-wide network holds significant more of our goods, services and jobs are increasing road-user education also contribute potential to boost cycling tourism. available within an easy bike ride from home. to safer highways and streets. A more cycling-friendly approach to land-use and transportation planning is key to creating – 12 – healthy communities. Strategic Directions

Design healthy, active, and Improve prosperous cycling 1 communities 2 infrastructure

Promote Make awareness and Increase Highways and behavioural cycling tourism 3 Streets Safer 4 shifts 5 opportunities – 13 – Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities

Many communities across Post-war road design – wide, straight, Ontario are grappling with high-speed arterial roadways combined how to plan for changes over with curving, disconnected cul-de-sacs and crescents between them – reduced the the next 20 years. viability of cycling because getting around on a bicycle would often involve riding on a Major issues include population growth, busy, main road. demographic shifts, industrial changes, urbanization, congestion, environmental The personal health-related impacts of 1 sustainability and rising health-care costs. relying heavily on motor vehicles for daily transportation include a tendency toward Addressing these challenges is often physical inactivity, which can lead to chronic made more costly and complex by the way health conditions and increased air pollution. communities were designed during the past 60 years. In short, designing more cycling-friendly communities offers a wealth of beneﬁts. Post-war planning and development tended to segregate different land uses What are healthy, active communities? into single-use districts, such as strictly Planning and designing They are communities that provide oppor- residential neighbourhoods with no healthy, active communities tunities for people to lead a physically businesses, or all-commercial districts active and socially engaged life, which with no residential developments. This The good news is that our approach creates health beneﬁts and allows people increased the distances between the to planning is changing. For well over to grow older more easily within their places people needed to go on a daily a decade, the province and many communities. These are communities basis, reducing the viability of cycling municipalities have been embracing and where it is easy for people to travel to as a mode of transportation. promoting the concepts of healthy, active work, do their shopping, go to school or communities and Complete Streets as visit friends using active transportation. key planning and design approaches to Active transportation is human-powered increase cycling. and includes walking, cycling, using a wheelchair, in-line skating and more. – 14 – Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities (Cont’d)

jobs, local services, a full range of housing Complete Streets are roads and adjacent and community infrastructure including public spaces that are designed for people affordable housing, schools, recreation of all ages, abilities and modes of travel. and open spaces. These communities That is, Complete Streets are designed for also provide convenient access to public all road users. Within Complete Streets, transportation and options for safe, non- safe and comfortable access for all motorized travel. pedestrians, cyclists, transit users is not an afterthought, but an integral planning Ideally, in a healthy and active community, feature. Planning and designing Complete active transportation should be possible Streets also includes the consideration of and promoted for trips of 5 km or less the built form along roads – both the type/ 1 to work, home or school. To make this mix of uses and the design of the buildings feasible and accepted, routes need to – as well as the relationship between built be safe and convenient for users of all form and public spaces. For cycling, this ages and abilities. They also need to be could include various forms of bike lanes, connected with public transit and other trafﬁc calming elements, parking facilities transportation modes, as well as major and a pleasant environment with trees, etc. destinations and activity centres.

From a land-use and transportation planning perspective, healthy, active communities are generally more compact, 528 people have a greater mix and integration of land uses, are more locally self-sustaining, and have the transportation infrastructure per million needed to support walking and cycling as well as driving. The estimated number of premature deaths averted, associated with an Healthy, active communities meet people’s increase in physical activity, in London, needs for daily living throughout an entire lifetime by providing convenient access to England in 2030, if walking doubled and cycling increased eight-fold.15 – 15 – Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities (Cont’d)

This is not a cookie-cutter approach to encourage walking and cycling. Different street design. Different streets require sections of the PPS provide speciﬁc different balances of transportation infra- guidance on cycling infrastructure, as structure, responding to current and do related regionally-focused plans such future needs of road users of all ages and as the Growth Plan for the Greater abilities. It involves integrating a wide Golden Horseshoe. range of transportation options and trafﬁc management tools to support quality of life, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Several Ontario communities, including CASE STORY 1 Ajax, Ottawa, Toronto and Waterloo, for example, are exploring and/or incorporating Complete Streets design principles into A Complete Street current projects. project in Ontario

Waterloo transforms four-lane Building on progress to date arterial road

Cycling is playing an increasing role in During the 1970s, Davenport Road, volume of its traffic. Between 2010 and Ontario’s transportation planning process. in the City of Waterloo, was built as a 2012, the city reconstructed Davenport four-lane collector road linking residential Road as a two-lane road with bike Cycling is one of the modes of trans- neighbourhoods to the arterial road lanes and a variety of improvements for portation influenced by the Ministry of network and a major shopping centre. pedestrians and transit users. The street Following complaints by area residents, has clearly been enhanced visually, Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Provincial the city commissioned a traffic study in and early indications show that many Policy Statement (PPS), which gives 2006 that confirmed that speeds and of the project objectives – such as a direction about land-use planning for the numbers of collisions on the road were reduction in speeds and collisions and entire province. The PPS sets a vision for elevated. The study also found that the an increase in the number of cyclists and promoting the design of healthy, active road’s capacity was more than twice the pedestrians – have been met. communities by planning public streets, spaces and facilities that are safe and

– 16 – Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities (Cont’d)

All Ontario municipalities prepare ofﬁcial plans to guide their growth and development over the long-term. Municipal ofﬁcial plans are the primary vehicle for implementing provincial policy, such as the PPS, and matters of local concern.

Once an official plan is adopted by the local council, it must be approved by the upper-tier municipality or province, as appropriate. Thereafter, planning-related 1 decisions must conform to the official plan. Increasingly, municipalities have been incorporating policies and approaches CASE STORY to implement the concepts of healthy, active communities and Complete Streets into their official plans. In addition, more Complete Streets to provide “an efficient multi-modal municipalities are developing transportation transportation network … such that the and/or cycling master plans as part of their policies in the U.S. access, mobility and safety needs of guiding policy framework and to lay out motorists, transit users, bicyclists and implementation strategies. U.S. local and state governments pedestrians of all ages and abilities are adopt new approach to street safely accommodated.”16 Exceptions design to the policy are allowed, particularly in Partnerships in planning rural areas. Many U.S. state governments and active transportation hundreds of local ones have adopted To support the implementation of the networks Complete Streets policies. policy, NCDOT developed Complete Streets Planning and Design Guidelines. It Designing and building active transporta- For example, the North Carolina is also offering training courses to provide tion networks in Ontario is a responsibility Department of Transportation (NCDOT) detailed technical information about shared by the provincial government adopted a Complete Streets policy in implementing the concepts introduced in and municipalities. Partnerships, 2009. The policy includes a commitment the Complete Streets guidelines. collaboration and coordination are key – 17 – to successful projects. Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities (Cont’d)

To help municipalities develop the best local approaches to increasing healthy, Areas for Action active transportation opportunities within their communities, the province has also To support the development of cycling-friendly communities, developed technical design guidelines. the province will: MTO provides Transit-Supportive Guidelines to share strategies, best  Enhance cycling provisions when planning policies, guidelines and legislation practices and case studies on building are reviewed communities that support public transit and the integration of transit with cycling  Partner with municipalities to implement Complete Streets policies and 1 and walking. develop cycling or active transportation plans as applicable  Partner with municipalities and transit agencies to integrate cycling with transit

 Ensure that bicycles are better accommodated in institutional, residential and commercial buildings

Each of these key areas for action will be supported by speciﬁc projects, programs and initiatives identiﬁed in future Action Plans.

– 18 – Improve Cycling Infrastructure

Encouraging the growth of New concepts in community-based cycling cycling means rethinking how are being developed and tested around the we specify, design and build world. They can provide us with data and best practices to help us develop cycling transportation infrastructure. solutions that are best suited to our needs.

It means looking at roads as public spaces that need to be safe and efﬁcient for users Cycling infrastructure of all ages and abilities. It means doing underway things differently. The shift in transportation planning to 2 Infrastructure should support increased include more cycling infrastructure is cycling as a convenient method of daily already underway in Ontario. transportation, not just cycling as physical activity for health or recreation. This The Big Move, Metrolinx’s 25-year regional involves identifying and responding to transportation plan for the Greater Toronto local needs. It could include, for example, and Hamilton Area (GTHA), sets out a removing structural barriers to cycling vision for a sustainable, multi-modal trans- by building a bridge over a busy highway portation system across the GTHA. connecting two cycling routes.

Another critically important aspect is making inter-modal connections, such as those between cycling and transit, easy, efﬁcient and convenient. End-of-trip facilities (e.g. bike parking at a GO train 78% station) and last-mile strategies (e.g. bike sharing) enable commuters to cycle from The percentage of transit hubs to their ﬁnal destinations. Ontarians who believe that more people would cycle if there was better cycling infrastructure.19 – 19 – Improve Cycling Infrastructure (Cont’d)

The Big Move outlines active transportation targets and recommends measures to CASE STORY promote the development of communities that are pedestrian-, cycling- and transit- Multi-user way, there is lighting, way-finding and supportive. It calls for an integrated walking interpretive signage encouraging active and cycling network in the GTHA, the parkway design transportation. Trailheads, located at either creation of pilot bike-sharing programs end of the Parkway, are granular surfaced in major urban centres, the inclusion of New parkway design leads the way areas designed to serve as meeting points bicycle-carrying devices on transit vehicles and resting places for trail users and will The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway design include trail maps, emergency call stations and the establishment of bicycle-storage provides an unprecedented combination and information about trail conduct. The facilities at major rapid transit stations. 2 of transportation, environmental and naturalized look and colour of the trail community benefits. The community furnishings, such as benches and lighting, The Big Move also imagines a future benefits, including a 20 km trail system, will blend seamlessly with the Carolinian in which key transit stations become are integral to the project. Their imple- landscape that makes up the Parkway’s mobility hubs, where transportation mentation and long-term maintenance are 120 hectares (300 acres) of green space. modes, including rapid transit, local included in the overall $1.4 billion design- transit, specialized transit, cycling and build-finance-maintain contract with the accessible pedestrian networks, come government’s private sector partner. together seamlessly. In 2011, Metrolinx published guidelines for the planning and Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to development of mobility hubs that address access the Parkway’s 20 km multi-use the seamless integration of the modes at trail network, which includes primary and secondary pathways as well as rapid transit stations. connections to existing municipal trails. The trail design includes pedestrian bridges BikeLinx was a $5 million Metrolinx and tunnels to allow users to travel the initiative that made it easier for people in length of the Parkway without having the GTHA to combine bicycling with transit. to cross paths with vehicles. Along the Through the BikeLinx program, Metrolinx provided funding to GTHA municipalities to equip every bus in their transit fleets with an external bike rack and to install permanent, secure and sheltered bicycle – 20 – parking facilities at major transit stops. Improve Cycling Infrastructure (Cont’d)

Municipalities across Ontario are also municipalities, engineering and planning Currently OTM Book 18 is in the final moving forward with their own plans to consultants and tourism organizations stages of development and is expected improve local cycling infrastructure. Of through the Ontario Traffic Council to help to be released by the end of 2013. OTM critical importance is identifying best fill that gap through the Ontario Traffic Book 18 contains guidelines for cycling practices in the design and maintenance Manual Book 18: Bicycling Facilities (OTM facilities for Ontario municipalities. It of bike facilities. MTO is working with Book 18). provides practical guidance on the type of cycling facility to construct given the local context (i.e. traffic volume and speed) and CASE STORY details on how to design and operate the facility, based on current best practices in Ontario, Canada and internationally. 2 ($80 million) by 2018 to help offset the Facilities that are not currently in wide-use Innovative cycling costs of operating the superhighways and in Ontario, such as buffered bike lanes, cycle infrastructure in establishing a bike sharing program. tracks (raised) and two-stage left turn boxes, the U.K. are included. OTM Book 18 will help road For many people, these cycling routes offer the best and quickest way to get authorities create high-quality cycling facilities Barclays Cycle Superhighways and promote a consistent, predictable converge in London20 to work. Four have been launched and another eight will be introduced by 2015. roadway environment, encouraging safe When completed, the 12 cycle superhigh- behaviour among all road users. One of the outstanding examples of ways will look like a clock face with innovative infrastructure is the cycling routes running from outer London into superhighway network now being MTO is also updating the Bikeways central London. introduced in London, England. Barclays Design Manual, which provides direction Cycle Superhighways21 is a network of for the design of cycling facilities on cycling routes running from outer London provincial highways. into central London. Bright blue surfacing is used and bike boxes (i.e. advance stop In addition, MTO is piloting the effect of lines) are provided at signalized intersec- paving part of the highway shoulder as a tions to increase cyclist visibility. The way to increase the safety of all road users. result is safer, faster and more direct Monitoring the usage of these facilities will cycling routes from the outer boroughs feed into the process of designing highways into the city. Through a sponsorship deal, that are safer for cyclists and that could, Barclays will provide up to £50 million among other benefits, help connect regional – 21 – cycling routes into a broader network. Improve Cycling Infrastructure (Cont’d)

A number of municipalities have taken A new approach action to build more cycling infrastruc- to partnerships CASE STORY ture. For example, in July 2011, Ottawa introduced segregated bike lanes as a pilot Increasing the extent of cycling infra- Cost sharing project in the heart of the city along 1.4 structure and integrating it within the between levels of km of Laurier Avenue West. The project broader transportation network will require was evaluated comprehensively, with innovative collaborations and partnerships. government data gathered relating to changes in the number of cyclists, maintenance costs, One of the critical areas is funding. Best York Region provides emergency vehicle response times and practices from jurisdictions around the $3-million boost to local cycling infrastructure other metrics. Studies showed that the world offer a number of creative funding 2 street carries three to four times as many approaches that could be explored by all In June 2007, York Regional Council cyclists without slowing other traffic or levels of government. endorsed the Pedestrian and Cycling impeding emergency vehicles. In June Municipal Partnership Program. 18 2013, Ottawa made the segregated bike More infrastructure will also create a Through this program, York Region 17 lanes a permanent fixture. greater need for cooperation and collabora- covers up to 50 per cent of the eligible tion among stakeholders. Through closer construction cost for qualifying local coordination, there may be opportunities municipal and agency pedestrian and to remove project barriers and streamline cycling projects that have a regional approvals processes for new cycling context and contribute to meeting infrastructure. sustainable objectives of the Region’s Official Plan, Transportation Master New ideas are welcome. They need to Plan, and Pedestrian and Cycling be tested and evaluated. The Ontario Master Plan. The program, which has government will support pilot projects that an annual capital budget of $500,000, supports the development of a can provide data to build better cycling regional scale, commuter walking and infrastructure and will develop and share cycling infrastructure network. Since relevant cycling best practices, research the program’s launch in 2007, York and information. Region has approved 22 projects and allocated approximately $3.5 million to local municipalities for the implementation of active transportation facilities. – 22 – Improve Cycling Infrastructure (Cont’d)

CASE STORY Areas for Action

Cost-sharing To increase and improve cycling infrastructure within Ontario, between levels 6ÏLOCE AMILLIONPROGRAMINTENDED the province will: of government to provide additional support for cycling infrastructure.  Develop a funding partnership Quebec’s multi-pronged approach -41COVEREDPERCENTOFTHECAPITAL with municipalities and the federal government to build The Quebec Ministry of Transportation costs of sections of La Route Verte on provincial and municipal cycling 2 (MTQ) shares the costs of cycling infra- municipal highways as well as regional structure with Quebec municipalities bikeways that connect to La Route routes through a variety of programs that are Verte, a 4,700 km network of bike  Make adherence to design currently under review and likely to be routes in Quebec. guidelines conditional to replaced. These include: -41ALSOCOVERSPERCENTOFTHE receiving funding maintenance costs of sections of !SSISTANCE0ROGRAMFOR!LTERNATIVES  Fund provincial and municipal to the Automobile, a ﬁve-year, $40 La Route Verte on municipal highways cycling infrastructure pilot million infrastructure program intended and trails. to match spending by municipalities on projects to test new ideas and approved active transportation projects. gather data  Remove barriers and streamline approval processes to implement cycling infrastructure

Each of these key areas for action will be supported by speciﬁc projects, programs and initiatives identiﬁed in future Action Plans.

– 23 – Make Highways and Streets Safer

The safety of all road users For many potential cyclists, a concern – including cyclists – is about safety is one of the top barriers that paramount. Our goal is to prevent them from cycling. A perception that cycling is unsafe, particularly for make all roads safe for all people who lack confidence in their cycling road users. skills, reduces the accessibility of cycling. Increasing road safety – both real and Safety issues are often a source of conflict perceived – will encourage more people to between cyclists and drivers. Cyclists are ride more often. highly vulnerable in traffic and are acutely aware of the dangers if a motorist fails 3 to yield the right-of-way, or makes an Creating a safer improper turn. On the other hand, there road environment are some cyclists who disobey the rules of the road, which can tarnish the image of Several elements combine to create a safe cycling. Like all road users, cyclists need road environment for cyclists. to abide by the rules of the road and be mindful of others. Road safety is a shared Legislation is a key component. The responsibility. Highway Traffic Act (HTA) sets the rules of the road, which are designed primarily Between 2006 and 2010, there were 129 to define and enforce safe behaviour by accidental cycling deaths in Ontario.22 In all road users. The HTA has been updated A bicycle is a vehicle under the HTA, which the same time period, more than 12,000 many times over the past 90 years to means that cyclists have the right to use cyclists and their passengers were injured respond to both persistent and emerging the road unless expressly prohibited. It also in collisions that involved at least one road safety issues. One of the most recent means that cyclists have the same responsi- moving motor vehicle and were reported updates focused on the use of hand-held bility to obey traffic laws as other road users. under the Highway Traffic Act.23 This is cell phones while operating a motor Not all cyclists or drivers understand and why one of our Aspirational Goals is for vehicle. As cycling increases in Ontario, the appreciate these rights and responsibilities. Ontario’s cycling environment to be safe HTA could be updated to respond to new for people of all ages, striving to achieve cycling safety issues. a record of zero fatalities and few serious injuries. – 24 – Make Highways and Streets Safer (Cont’d)

Safety education is another critical component. MTO continues to promote safe cycling practices through public education activities for both motorists and cyclists to promote sharing of the road and Ontario’s doctors say supports organizations that provide cycle cycling safety and training. better infrastructure Safety is linked to understanding and obeying trafﬁc laws. People often hold a go hand in hand higher opinion of their own road behaviour 3 than they do of others. In a recent survey, “If we’re telling kids to 61 per cent of people in Ontario say they go ride a bike instead of follow the rules of the road to a high sitting in front of a TV or extent, whereas just 18 per cent say the 24 computer screen, we all have same thing of other drivers. In that same survey, only 16 per cent of cyclists say that a responsibility to ensure our other cyclists follow the rules of the road roads are safe for children to to a high extent. This suggests that higher ride on. and more consistent levels of enforcement for cyclists and drivers would increase both the reality and perception of cycling as a 129 It’s time to make a strong safe activity. The number of accidental commitment to cycling cycling deaths in Ontario, infrastructure. A safe cycling 2006-2010.25 system beneﬁts everyone, including drivers and transit riders.”

Dr. Scott Wooder, President, Ontario Medical Association – 25 – Make Highways and Streets Safer (Cont’d)

Road safety training and education can be constantly improved, sometimes by CASE STORY learning from the experience of other jurisdictions. In Denmark, drivers are taught to open their door with their right hand, which Increasing safety by forces them to look over their shoulder changing attitudes The main thrust of the ad campaign was and check for oncoming vehicles. The that many “cyclists” are also “drivers” (and new edition of MTO’s Driver’s Handbook Share the road, save a life vice versa), as well as parents, spouses, includes this recommendation, which could etc. In May 2013, the Share the Road reduce the incidence of drivers “dooring” In 2012, MTO partnered with the Share campaign crossed the international border cyclists – inadvertently opening their door the Road Cycling Coalition and Canadian when the American Automobile Association 3 in the path of an oncoming bicycle. Automobile Association (CAA) to develop and the League of American Bicyclists and launch a province-wide ad campaign launched the “Share the Road” campaign encouraging cyclists and motorists to share nation-wide during National Bike month. the road with one another and improve road As Ontario’s cycling system has grown, Ramping up road safety safety for all users. Television and radio we’ve learned a lot from the experiences through partnerships advertisements were distributed to media of other jurisdictions. It is gratifying to be outlets across the province and posted able to help others make their own cycling Within the Ontario government, MTO on social media sites such as YouTube environments safer. plays a leadership role in creating a road and Facebook. Print advertisements were environment that is safe for all users. MTO featured in CAA South Central Ontario’s works with other ministries, municipalities magazine, which reaches more than 1.2 and community organizations to improve million members. Cycling safety messages the safety of our highways and streets. were promoted through CAA’s e-newsletter that is distributed to more than 400,000 subscribers. Through the Road Safety Community Partnership Program, MTO supports the efforts of local road safety organizations, police and public health units to deliver awareness campaigns and events that educate and promote a culture of cycling safety in their communities. One example was a public education campaign by – 26 – EnviroCentre and the City of Ottawa. Make Highways and Streets Safer (Cont’d)

The campaign featured a series of videos promoting cycling training and safe, responsible riding practices.

In 2013, MTO piloted a new initiative with bike distributors to provide purchasers of new bicycles with cycling safety information at the point of sale.

Road-user education needs to be available in many different forms to reach different 3 groups of people. At its most basic level, materials and instructions need to accommodate the multicultural reality of most Ontario communities. The Cycle Toronto publication, The Toronto Cyclists Handbook, for example, is available in Areas for Action 17 languages.

To create a safer cycling environment for people of all ages and skill levels, the province will:

 Review and recommend cycling-related legislation based on the latest research

 Continue to better educate all road users on the rules of the road to build cycling skills

 Work with police services to build consistency of enforcement of existing trafﬁc laws to improve cycling safety

Each of these key areas for action will be supported by speciﬁc projects, programs and initiatives identiﬁed in future Action Plans.

– 27 – Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts

For cycling to be accepted Making that shift in perspective will mean as a normal, safe, convenient reaching beyond the cycling community and valued component of our to engage the broader public and build awareness and understanding of cycling’s daily lives and transportation place in a healthy, prosperous Ontario. system, there needs to be a It will also mean educating cyclists, shared understanding of the motorists, community leaders, city function of roads. planners, engineers, police officers and 4 others about how to create and maintain a safe cycling environment. Roads are public spaces with multiple users – pedestrians, cyclists, transit passengers and motorists. Some roads, Building understanding such as urban street malls, may focus on and busting myths cyclists and pedestrians, while others, such as freeways, focus on motorists. For example, what if people better Overall, roads must safely accommodate understood the benefits of cycling in very And what if planners and engineers had a all users under traffic laws. real, quantifiable terms? In Copenhagen better understanding of the relative costs and Ottawa, automated bike counters For many people, this view of roads as of infrastructure by mode, enabling them to display in real-time the number of bikes shared public spaces may represent a new develop more effective, site-specific infra- that have passed through intersections. perspective but it is the foundation on structure solutions? which we are building a modern, integrated And what if more people knew that, and efficient transportation system that according to a Statistics Canada survey of incorporates cycling as a valued mode of commuters, 19 per cent of cyclists transportation. reported their commute as the most pleasant activity of the day while only 2 per cent of other commuters felt the same?26

– 28 – Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts (Cont’d)

That type of knowledge can inspire In Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, a study new ideas. by the Clean Air Partnership conﬁrmed the positive economic impact of cyclists At the same time, we also need to correct and pedestrians, which encouraged several misunderstandings about cycling. local businesses to support reduced on-street parking.28 The “drivers versus cyclists” myth is at the top of the list. The myth assumes that there is an antagonistic relationship CASE STORY between drivers and cyclists, but the reality is that drivers and cyclists are not 4 two different groups. The truth is that Cyclists many “drivers” cycle and many “cyclists” drive. Seeing all road users as individuals as customers who might use several modes of travel could help planners, engineers and Reallocating road space boosts community leaders to consider the real, business in Toronto neighbourhood multi-faceted needs of communities and There is a common belief that removing then develop transportation infrastructure on-street parking will hurt local businesses, that meets those needs. but recent studies have shown that is not necessarily true. In 2008, the Clean A second myth is the belief that adding Air Partnership conducted a study on more bike lanes along urban streets always Bloor Street in the Annex neighbour- The research indicates that only 10 per means less business for local merchants. hood of downtown Toronto to determine cent of business patrons drive to the area. The truth is that a number of communities the potential economic implications of People travelling by foot and bicycle visit around the world have found that people reallocating road space from on-street more often and spend more money per who walk or cycle spend more money parking to widened sidewalks or added month than those arriving in cars. than motorists at local businesses. In Fort bike lanes.30 Worth, Texas, when new bike racks and bike lanes were added on Magnolia Street, business increased by nearly 200 per cent. 27

– 29 – Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts (Cont’d)

A growing role for cycling Initiatives to increase the number of advocacy partnerships cyclists in Ontario could beneﬁt from a similar approach. A broad, sustained During the past few decades, social education and awareness campaign objectives such as energy conservation promoting cycling would leverage the and reduced tobacco use have been value of existing cycling infrastructure pursued through policy, regulatory and investments by encouraging more people legislative changes. These government to get on their bikes more often to access leadership initiatives were also supported the cycling trails and routes in their by sustained, broad-based education and communities or take a cycling vacation. 4 awareness campaigns.

Experience has shown that broad 19% VS 2% campaigns to change attitudes and behaviours gain the most sustainable traction when they are driven at the grassroots level. The health beneﬁts of cycling have been recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term The number of cycling commuters (19 per cent) who Care (MOHLTC) for many years. The reported their commute to be the most pleasant ministry funds, through various programs, a wide range of cycling-promotion projects activity of their day, compared to other commuters organized by local public health units, 29 (2%) who felt the same. community agencies and cycling groups.

– 30 – Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts (Cont’d)

Through the Healthy Communities Fund Provincial Program Stream, MOHLTC CASE STORY has provided funding to organizations to develop programs designed to keep A cycling parents with young children, MPs and Ontarians healthy by increasing access mayors – even in winter. to physical activity and supporting active culture grows in transportation. Copenhagen Now 80 per cent of Copenhagen cyclists still choose bikes in January, despite an As part of the Healthy Communities Fund Build it and they will come – average of more than 4 cm of snowfall in Partnership Stream, public health units and cycle year round the month. Snow clearance in cycle tracks and host agencies develop policies related is a priority. City policy mandates that 4 to healthy eating and physical activity snow be removed from cycle tracks before For the past several decades, Copenhagen it is cleared from car lanes – with the including active transportation. has been redesigning and rebuilding exception of car lanes on the four largest its roads to make them more cycling- roads, which are cleared at the same time The current Health and Physical Education friendly and it has been a huge success. 32 curriculum in Ontario includes opportuni- Today, about 36 per cent of all trips taken as cycle tracks. ties for students to learn about cycling by Copenhagen residents are taken on and road safety and develop the skills for bicycles. Back in 1970, only about 10 per making safe decisions as they participate. cent of trips in Copenhagen were made 31 Our public health partners routinely work by bike. with schools on bike safety under the Some 400 km of cycle tracks – bike lanes broader mandate to reduce the frequency, that are separated from other traffic by severity, and impact of preventable a physical barrier – criss-cross the city. injury. Cycling training is available through On some main streets, lights for cyclists some schools. turn green before the main traffic lights do, thus decreasing conflicts with motor In addition, cycling tourism and recreation vehicles. This safer, more convenient programs are supported by the Ministry of cycling environment has nurtured the Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS). growth of a bike culture where just about everyone rides bicycles – children and seniors, business people and students,

– 31 – Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts (Cont’d)

As a result of these programs, many As cycling becomes a more common part communities and organizations across the of daily life in Ontario, it makes sense to CASE STORY province have successful programs that build road user education and cycling skills promote cycling either on its own or as part into our education system. Safety rules of a broader, active living/active transporta- learned at a young age can become safety Cycling education tion promotional campaign. habits that last a lifetime. for children in Germany In addition to cycling promotion campaigns, All of these elements – outreach, there are opportunities to shift public education, research and leadership – could Early cycle-skills training creates perceptions of cycling through leading by have a tremendous impact on increasing lifelong safe cycling habits example. When municipalities integrate the number of cyclists and the frequency 4cycling as a mode of transportation within of their trips. In Germany, which introduced a their own services, such as police bicycle National Cycling Plan in 2002, 80 patrols, it encourages people to accept The result would create long-term per cent of people own a bike.33 cycling as a normal and useful form of economic, environmental, social and Approximately 95 per cent of German transportation. personal benefits for all Ontarians. children receive instruction in safe cycling in elementary school. In grades one and two the focus is on coordinating mental and motor skills through exercises in the playground Areas for Action or gym. In grades three and four training combines both theory and practice. The theoretical part To build broad support for cycling as a healthy and valued transportation is taught in school as part of the option, the province will: curriculum. The practical portion is usually supervised by police officers.  Lead province-wide campaigns to encourage more people to cycle more often In almost all German states, the practical part includes riding in real  Develop and share relevant cycling best practices, research and data traffic. A cycling proficiency test is  Encourage more cycling education in schools and at the community level given at the end of grade four. Some schools will not allow children to cycle Each of these key areas for action will be supported by specific projects, programs to school without parental supervision and initiatives identified in future Action Plans. if they haven’t passed the test.

– 32 – Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities

Just as cycling has increased the northern landscape of Thunder Bay to over the past 20 years, so the rolling hills of Prince Edward County have the number, length and to the dense urban trafﬁc corridors of downtown Toronto. variety of cycling routes in regions across Ontario. Bike tourism is booming. Research by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recently, MTO completed an inventory of Sport (MTCS) shows that, in 2010, two major municipal cycling routes throughout million Canadian visitors participated in Ontario, existing and planned. The research cycling activities in Ontario and spent $391 shows there are hundreds of existing million. This represents an increase of 25 5municipal on- and off-road routes. They are per cent in the number of visitors and 18 found in every part of the province, from per cent in spending over 2009.34

CASE STORY

Quebec’s award- Development of the network began in 1995 with a 10-year commitment of winning cycling $88.5 million of funding and technical route support from the Quebec Ministry of Transportation. Ofﬁcially opened in 2007, the network is undergoing an expansion Quebec’s Route Verte, recognized by phase that will add 900 km. La Route Verte National Geographic as the world’s premier is now 95 per cent completed with 5,000 cycling route, is a 5,300 km network of km opened. Coordination of planning, inter- paved shoulders, off-road trails, designated regional cooperation, communications and shared roadways on quiet roads, bike promotion is handled by the non-proﬁt lanes, and barrier-separated cycle tracks organization Vélo Québec. stretching from the Gaspé Peninsula to the Ontario border, and from the US border to the Abitibi.

– 33 – Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities (Cont’d)

Not all users of the cycling routes are Collaborative tourists. In urban areas, many cyclists partnerships to build use them to shop, commute to work and a province-wide network visit friends. The 2006 Census reported that nearly 20,000 people in Toronto used In Ontario, most cycling routes have been bicycles as their primary mode of trans- developed by municipalities and local orga- portation to get to work – a 32 per cent nizations to respond to the local needs of increase over the previous ﬁve years.35 cyclists and to reap the economic beneﬁts of increased tourism. For the most part, routes are not coordinated or interconnect- 5 ed between jurisdictions.

CASE STORY

MTCS is the provincial government lead The Great As a sign of the growing popularity of cycling in Ontario, the Waterfront Trail Waterfront Trail expanded westwards along Lake Erie in 2013, adding a second Great Lake, Multi-purpose cycling routes another 620 km and 27 new waterfront communities along a signed, mostly Most bike routes are used for a range of on-road route. Today the Waterfront Trail is $391 purposes, and the Waterfront Trail is no close to 1,400 km in length. exception. This trail stretches 730 km along the shore of Lake Ontario from The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border also working in partnership with the million and connects 41 communities. While Greenbelt Foundation to create a cycling most cyclists along the route use it for route to connect and showcase Greenbelt The amount spent recreational purposes, research by the communities. The business community by tourists who Waterfront Regeneration Trust shows that and tourism partners will be part of the participated in cycling 24 per cent of all trail users regularly use project through Transportation Options’ activities in Ontario the trail to commute.37 Welcome Cyclists program. – 34 – in 2010.36 Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities Areas for Action (Cont’d) To encourage the growth of cycling tourism, the province CASE STORY will:

Iowa Trails 2000 information about the location of cultural,  Promote Ontario as a premier archaeological, heritage, recreation and cycling tourism destination How Iowa is creating other sites. When mapped, conceptual  Identify a province-wide a state trails network corridors began to emerge. These were presented at a series of open houses and cycling network and use it to Iowa Trails 2000 is a proposed 7,853 then refined based on the feedback. prioritize future infrastructure 5 investments on provincial km interconnected, multi-modal, easily accessible state-wide trails system The Iowa Department of Transportation highways connecting communities, parks, shopping, State Transportation Plan (2012) includes employment and other amenities. The a commitment to focus investments on  Improve cycling tourism first step in preparing the plan was the state-wide trails and continue investments experiences in Ontario completion of an inventory of existing and on regional and local trails. A separate bicycle and inter-modal cycling proposed trails. This was augmented with and pedestrian plan is under development. 38 connections by working with our partners to provide end-of-trip facilities, maps of existing cycling routes and MTCS is the government lead for trails infrastructure such as intermodal way-finding applications planning and coordination. It currently connections, bike-sharing programs and oversees the implementation of the transportation options between the routes. Each of these key areas for action Ontario Trails Strategy (2005), which will be supported by specific encourages on- and off-road cycling as Sometimes the building of links and the projects, programs and initiatives sport/recreation, tourism and active trans- closing of gaps can be accelerated through identified in future Action Plans. portation activities. MTCS has provided funding partnerships. To maximize existing support for a range of cycling-related projects municipal investments, the Government of through its various funding programs. Ontario will focus its cycling infrastructure investments, subject to available funding, The continued growth in cycling by on closing the gaps between existing both residents and tourists will create cycling routes with the goal of creating a – 35 – greater need for more route-supportive provincial network of bike routes. Achieving the Vision through Action

The pace of change is The Government of Ontario consulted accelerating within Ontario. broadly during the development of The number of cyclists is the Strategy to ensure it understood stakeholders’ goals for cycling, their increasing. New cycling plans and their concerns. Through this infrastructure is being Strategy, the government is giving cycling designed and built. We are stakeholders a clear picture of where the moving forward quickly. province aspires to be on cycling in 20 years. Now the government is asking for municipalities, school boards, the broader This Cycling Strategy is designed to build public, road users, businesses and non- on that momentum. If offers a 20-year governmental organizations to partner with Vision and a set of Aspirational Goals us in creating a more cycling-friendly future that provide a clear sense of direction. It for Ontario. also identifies a series of interconnected Strategic Directions that are broad enough Implementation of this Cycling Strategy to provide the flexibility needed to seize is underway. The first Action Plan will be opportunities as they arise. released within the coming months. It will identify the specific projects, programs, The Government of Ontario is committed initiatives and partnerships needed that will to this Strategy, but ultimately what will help us move towards our Goals. determine its success is the power of partnerships. Cycling in Ontario involves On an annual basis the government will many organizations. meet with stakeholders to share the status of progress being made on implementing the strategy ensuring that stakeholder and government priorities are reflected.

– 36 – Appendix: #CycleON Workshop Participants

 Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities  Jane Mustac, Manager of  Marco Beghetto, Transportation Planning, County of VP Communications and New Media,  Michael Jacek, Senior Advisor, Essex Ontario Trucking Association Association of Municipalities of Ontario  Jared Kolb, Executive Director,  Eleanor McMahon, CEO and Founder,  Christine Allum, Community Relations Cycle Toronto Share the Road Cycling Coalition Specialist, CAA, Canadian Automobile Association  Andy Wilson, Para-Cycling / CAN-BIKE  Nancy Smith Lea, Director, Coordinator, Cycling Canada Toronto Centre for Active Transportation  Jay Paleja, Policy Advisor, Association of Municipalities of Ontario  Chris Drew, Co-Captain, Bike 27,  Trudy Ledsham, Project Manager, Cycle Toronto’s Ward 27 Advocacy Toronto Cycling Think and Do Tank.  David Chernushenko, Sustainability Group University of Toronto educator, Producer – Bike City, Great City , City councillor, Ottawa  Ken Greenberg, Principal,  Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director, Greenberg Consultants Inc. Waterfront Regeneration Trust  Zlatko Krstulic, Transportation Planner, City of Ottawa  Dave Richardson, Senior Project  The Bicycle Trade Manager and Partner, MMM Group Association of Canada  Adam Krupper, Active Transportation Coordinator, City of Thunder Bay /  Jackie Gervais, Health Promoter,  Hans Moor, President, EcoSuperior Environmental Programs Niagara Region Public Health Citizens for Safe Cycling

 Daniel Egan, Manager, Cycling  T/Sgt Brett Carson, Provincial  Yvonne Bambrick, Infrastructure & Programs, City of Coordinator - Provincial Offences and Urban Cycling Consultant Toronto Devices, Highway Safety Division - Provincial Trafﬁc Operations, Ontario  Mike Layton, Toronto City Councillor, Provincial Police Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina

– 37 – Appendix: Related Online Resources

è Open Minds, Healthy Minds: Ontario’s è Driver’s Handbook Design healthy, active and Comprehensive Health and Addictions www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/ 1 prosperous communities Strategy driver/handbook/ www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ ministry/publications/reports/mental_ è Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling, and the Young Cyclist’s Guide è The Big Move health2011/mentalhealth_rep2011.pdf http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ www.metrolinx.com/thebigmove/en/ safety/bicycle-safety.shtml default.aspx

è Investing In Our Region, Improve cycling Increase cycling tourism Investing In Our Future www.metrolinx.com/en/ 2 infrastructure 5 opportunities regionalplanning/funding/ IS_Full_Report_EN.pdf è Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18 è Ontario’s Tourism Investment Strategy è Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the www.otc.org/research/ and Implementation Plan Greater Golden Horseshoe download-manuals www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/ www.placestogrow.ca Investment_strategy.pdf è Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/ Page10679.aspx Making highways and International 3 streets safer perspectives è Mobility Hub Guidelines www.metrolinx.com/en/ projectsandprograms/mobilityhubs/ è Office of the Chief Coroner’s Cycling è Chicago’s Cycling Plan for 2020 mobility_hub_guidelines.aspx Death Review www.chicagobikes.org/pdf/2012%20 www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ è No Time to Wait: The Healthy Kids Projects/ChicagoStreetsforCycling2020.pdf DeathInvestigations/office_ Strategy coroner/PublicationsandReports/ è www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ City of Copenhagen’s Bicycle Strategy CyclingDeathReview/DI_Cycling_ ministry/publications/reports/healthy_ 2011-2025 Death_Review.html kids/healthy_kids.pdf http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/ pdf/823_Bg65v7UH2t.pdf – 38 – Appendix: Related Online Resources (Cont’d)

Additional online cycling Ontario è Waterfront Trail www.waterfronttrail.org resources: A starter set è Metrolinx www.metrolinx.com A wealth of additional cycling-related Canada information and data is available online. è Ontario Cycling Association è Canadian Automobile Most municipalities have cycling maps and www.ontariocycling.org Association (CAA) lists of cycling events on their websites, www.caa.ca and many public health units also include è Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs news and information about active living and Housing www.mah.gov.on.ca è Cycling Canada and cycling on their websites. www.cyclingcanada.ca è Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport www.mtc.gov.on.ca If you’d like to delve into the wider world è Transportation Association of Canada of cycling, here are a few sites that can get www.tac-atc.ca you started. è Ontario Ministry of Transportation www.mto.gov.on.ca è Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca è Share the Road Cycling Coalition www.sharetheroad.ca è Vélo Québec www.velo.qc.ca è The Ontario Trails Council www.ontariotrails.on.ca

è Toronto Centre for Active Transportation International (TCAT) www.torontocat.ca è Cycle Superhighways (UK) www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/ è Trans Canada Trail Ontario cycling/routes-and-maps www.tctontario.ca

è Transportation Options è Cycling Denmark http://www.transportationoptions.org/ http://denmark.dk/en/green-living/ bicycle-culture/ è University of Toronto Cycling Think and Do Tank www.torontocycling.org è League of American Bicyclists www.bikeleague.org – 39 – Achieving #CycleON Welcome Strategic Directions 1 2 3 4 5 the Vision Appendix

Appendix: Photo Credits

Page 4: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Page 23: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Page 5: City of Toronto. photo source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Page 8: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Infrastructure. Page 9: Share the Road Cycling Coalition. Page 24: www.pedbikeimages.org/ Mike Page 11: The Town of Fort Erie. Cynecki. Page 13: Goh Iromoto/Waterfront Page 26: City of Ottawa. Regeneration Trust. Page 29: Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities. Page 14: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Page 30: Courtesy of the Ontario Provincial photo source: Ontario Growth Police. Secretariat, Ministry of Infrastructure. Page 31: Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities. Page 15: www.pedbikeimages.org/ Laura Page 33 (right): © Queen’s Printer for Sandt. Ontario. Page 16: City of Waterloo. Page 34: Goh Iromoto/Waterfront Regeneration Trust. Page 17: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, photo source: Ontario Growth Page 36: Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities. Secretariat, Ministry of Infrastructure. Page 18: © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, photo source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Infrastructure. Page 19: City of Toronto. Page 20: Concept rendering produced by the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway project team. Page 22: Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities.

– 40 – Achieving #CycleON Welcome Strategic Directions 1 2 3 4 5 the Vision Appendix

Appendix: Endnotes

1. Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, “Cycling Death Review” (2012), http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/DeathInvestigations/office_coroner/ PublicationsandReports/CyclingDeathReview/DI_Cycling_Death_Review.html, pg. 20. 2. Darren E.R. Warburton, Crystal Whitney Nicol, and Shannon S.D. Bredin, “Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence”, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2006 March 14; 174(6): 801–809, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1402378/. 3. Ontario Medical Association, “Enhancing Cycling Safety in Ontario” (2011). https://www.oma.org/Resources/Documents/ OMACyclingPaper09-08-2011.pdf, pg. 2. 4. Katzmarzyk PT, Gledhill N, Shephard RJ. The economic burden of physical inactivity in Canada. CMAJ (2000)163(11): 1435-40, as cited in Canadian Medical Association, “Active Transportation,” (2009) http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD09-04.pdf, pg 1, 5. Natural Resources Canada, “Emission impacts resulting from vehicle idling”, http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/communities-infrastructure/ transportation/cars-light-trucks/idling/4415. 6. Environment Canada, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?n=BFB1B398 7. Toronto Public Health, “Air Pollution Burden of Illness from Traffic in Toronto: Problems and Solutions” (2007), http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-8046.pdf. 8. Statistics Canada, “Travel Survey of Residents of Canada” and “International Travel Survey”, 2006, computed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 9. Niagara Region, Economic Value: Active Transportation and Tourism, http://healthylivingniagara.com/active-transportation/evofat-fact-sheets/. 10. Clean Air Partnership, Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood” (2009), http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/pdf/bike-lanes-parking.pdf. 11. Statistics Canada Census (2006) 12. Statistics Canada Census (2006) 13. Statistics Canada Census (2006), as cited in City of Toronto Cycling Statistics Tables, http://www.toronto.ca/cycling. 14. Bill Yetman, Bicycle Trade Association of Canada. 15. Woodcock, et al, Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: urban land transport,” in Lancet, 2009; 374(9705):1930-43. 16. North Carolina Department of Transportation, “Complete Streets Planning and Design Guidelines”, July 2012, http://www.completestreetsnc.org/ wp-content/themes/CompleteStreets_Custom/pdfs/NCDOT-Complete-Streets-Planning-Design-Guidelines.pdf, pg. 4. 17. City of Ottawa, “Laurier Segregated Bike Lane Pilot Project: July 2013 update,” (2013) PowerPoint presentation to Transportation Committee, and “Laurier Avenue Segregated Bicycle Lanes Pilot Project,” Report to Transportation Committee and Council (2013), http://app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/ mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=6095&doctype=AGENDA; Ottawa Citizen, “Laurier bike lanes here to stay,” July 17, 2013. 18. York Region, http://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/yorkregion/yr/plansreportsandstrategies/pedestrianandcyclingmasterplan. 19. Share the Road Cycling Coalition, “Provincial Bicycling Organization Releases Polling Data Highlighting Support for Active Transportation in Metrolinx’s The Big Move”, (May 27, 2013), media release, http://www.sharetheroad.ca/files/Media_Release___OBS_Metrolinx___FINAL.pdf.

– 41 – Achieving #CycleON Welcome Strategic Directions 1 2 3 4 5 the Vision Appendix

Appendix: Endnotes

20. Transport for London, “Barclays Cycle Superhighways FAQs” (2012). 21. Transport for London, http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps/cycle-superhighways?intcmp=2352 22. Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, “Cycling Death Review” (2012), http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/DeathInvestigations/office_coroner/ PublicationsandReports/CyclingDeathReview/DI_Cycling_Death_Review.html 23. Ontario Ministry of Transportation, “Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 2010,” http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road- safety-annual-report-2010.pdf 24. Ontario Ministry of Transportation, “2013 Road Safety Marketing Attitude and Behaviour Survey” 25. Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, “Cycling Death Review” (2012), http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/DeathInvestigations/office_coroner/ PublicationsandReports/CyclingDeathReview/DI_Cycling_Death_Review.html. 26. Statistics Canada. Like commuting? Workers’ perceptions of their daily commute (2006), http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2006004/9516-eng.htm. 27. Elly Blue, “Bikenomics: The Economic Case for On-Street Bike Parking. Grist,” http://grist.org/biking/2011-04-11-the-economic-case-for-on-street- bike-parking/; Niagara Region, Active Transportation and Local Businesses (2011), http://healthylivingniagara.com/active-transportation/evofat-fact- sheets/ 28. Clean Air Partnership, Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood (2009), http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/pdf/bike-lanes-parking.pdf. 29. Statistics Canada. Like commuting? Workers’ perceptions of their daily commute (2006), http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2006004/ pdf/9516-eng.pdf. 30. Clean Air Partnership, Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood (2009), http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/pdf/bike-lanes-parking.pdf 31. City of Copenhagen, “Copenhagen City of Cyclists, Bicycle Account” (2012), http://subsite.kk.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/CityOfCopenhagen/ SubsiteFrontpage/LivingInCopenhagen/CityAndTraffic/~/media/4ADB52810C484064B5085F2A900CB8FB.ashx. 32. Denmark, The Official Website of Denmark, “Cycling in Copenhagen – The easy way,” http://denmark.dk/en/green-living/bicycle-culture/cycling-in-copenhagen---the-easy-way/. 33. German Traffic Guard, “Bicycle training - core school road safety education”, translation by Philip Hartung, http://www.verkehrswacht-medien-service.de/radfahrausbildung_kern.html. 34. Statistics Canada, “Travel Survey of Residents of Canada” and “International Travel Survey”, 2006, computed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 35. Statistics Canada Census (2006), as cited in City of Toronto Cycling Statistics Tables, http://www.toronto.ca/cycling. 36. Statistics Canada, “Travel Survey of Residents of Canada” and “International Travel Survey”, 2006, computed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 37. Waterfront Regeneration Trust, “Fast Facts about the Trail,” (2013). 38. Iowa Department of Transportation, “Iowa in Motion: State Transportation Plan”, 2012. http://www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/files/IowaInMotion_ final.pdf. – 42 – ISBN 978-1-4606-3978-8 (Print) ISBN 978-1-4606-3979-5 (PDF) © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2013 Disponible en français