EBR Registry Number:   013…

EBR Registry Number:   013-1837

Ministry: Ministry of Transportati recommending 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, several hours of structure and unstructured physical activity and less than 2 hours a day of recreational screen time. Bike Month and Bike To School Week have been successful across Peel Region and could be enhanced through provincial support. Investment in new bicycle parking at schools and within communities would be helpful to address barriers to cycling. A focus on road safety and bicycle skills for young cyclists will help to address barriers to cycling for children, youth and parents.

Within the Safer Highways and Streets section of the strategy consider alignment with the Vision Zero objectives and provide specific incentives for municipalities to develop a Vision Zero plan. • Consider speed limit and other guidelines related to school zones and identified “safe” routes to schools.

• Consider changes to the new driver examination that would test skills associated with sharing the road with cyclists including: safe crossing of bicycle infrastructure, avoiding the “right-hook” and observing the one metre passing rule.

• Consider including cyclist training as part of the standardised school curriculum.

• Consider education and awareness campaign to encourage the use of walking school buses and bike trains and discourage parents from driving children to and from school and or the school bus stop.

What challenges should we expect to encounter as we pursue the proposed initiatives?

Funding for a province-wide service to facilitate and promote Active and Safe Routes to School will encourage uptake. Incentives for participation may be helpful, but PSARTS would advocate for School Travel Planning to be integrated at a policy level to support uptake and consistency across the province.

It is very important to develop performance metrics. Monitoring and tracking progress on attitudinal behavioural changes towards cycling can be difficult. Sharing the proposed metrics would be helpful to align .

Include cycling as a key example of how children and youth can achieve 60 minutes of physical activity connected to the school day.

- Where possible, Ontario will explore opportunities to promote cycling as a part of co-curricular activities before, during and after school.  This could include developing cycling related tools and materials to support educators and learners.

Support and celebrate Bike Month to promote cycling at the local and community level

- Ontario will explore opportunities to build on existing local Bike Month programs, and expand it province-wide.

Invest in new parking for cycling

- Ontario is investing in new bike parking infrastructure at a variety of locations, which will provide Ontarians with new access and opportunities for cycling.

Make Highways and Streets Safer

Continue to promote safety for all ages through the Cycling Skills Guide and Young Cyclists’ Guide - Ontario will increase road safety for cyclists by distributing current and relevant Skills Guides that inform the public about proper equipment, rules of the road, etc.

Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts

Develop a comprehensive cycling education program that will provide program standards for cycling curriculum, instructional development and certification, and province-wide course delivery.

- The government will leverage international best practices and build partnerships with municipalities, not-for-profit and private sector organizations to deliver cycling education programs.

- Ontario’s cycling education program will use provincially endorsed standards delivered by certified instructors.

Monitor and track progress on attitudinal and behavioral changes towards cycling

- Ontario will develop a performance measurement framework and report at program and population levels to demonstrate progress on outcomes.

[Original Comment ID: 213410]