The Toronto Parking…

The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is pleased to provide comments on Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane.

As an agency of the City of Toronto, TPA’s mission is to reimagine how Toronto moves by creating a seamless mobility experience that delivers on choice, ease and speed.

TPA is a mobility company responsible for over 60,000 parking stalls – approximately 20,000 on-street and 40,000 off-street, as well as 400+ EV chargers and Toronto’s Bike Share program.

Bike Share Toronto is an affordable, sustainable and convenient mobility option that has become an integral part of the city's transportation network. Since its inception in 2011, the program has seen tremendous success, growing from a system of 80 stations and annual ridership of 400,000 to North America's third largest bike share system with a network of over 825 stations, 9,000 bikes (including 1,900 E-bikes) and projected ridership of 6.8 M in 2024.

Bike Share Toronto has built a loyal base of riders including both commuters and visitors that have chosen to navigate Toronto on a bike to live, work, learn and play. With over 40,000 annual memberships sold in 2024, over the past six (6) months alone in 2024, over 30,000 new individuals have tried the program that have never used Bike Share before. In addition, Bike Share riders rely heavily on our fleet of bikes, with nearly 60% of riders reporting that they do not own a vehicle.

Bike Share riders rely on safe cycling infrastructure to navigate the City. Since the installation of cycling infrastructure on Bloor Street West, ridership in this community grew by 78%. In fact, ridership at specific Bike Share stations, including Bloor St W / Old Mill Trail, grew by 94% after the implementation of new cycling infrastructure along the corridor.

Within Toronto’s financial district, Bike Share has become such a popular mode of transportation – seeing 1,000 riders per day – that the station now requires staff to manage and corral the flow of bikes. At Toronto’s Hospital Row near University Avenue and Gerrard Street, Bike Share serves 500+ riders per day, including critical members of the medical community such as doctors, nurses, researchers, patients and visitors.

With a vision to become the world’s best provider of sustainable parking, bike share and last mile mobility experiences, TPA must balance the needs of its customers – both cyclists and drivers – who are navigating a complex and bustling City. In that regard, TPA advocates for evidence-based mobility decisions to address the diverse needs of residents, businesses and visitors utilizing all modes of transportation in Toronto.

Toronto Parking Authority shares the province’s goal of making life easier for Ontarians and helping get people where they need to go. Our mobility programs play a key role in achieving those outcomes and we appreciate the opportunity to comment on this proposed legislation.