Comment
The posting states the "ministry’s goal is to enable more Ontarians living in urban areas to cycle for commuting and other frequent trips instead of travelling by car". I think Provincial funding should be provided through this lens rather than funding for municipalities to build cycling infrastructure as they see fit. The priority should be the establishment of a network. As a cycling commuter, all too often I find cycling infrastructure constructed where it is convenient or would not additionally burden the existing road network (i.e. where there is existing road allowance for cycling lanes) rather than where it would build a network. May cycling routes end abruptly leaving cyclists to navigate major roads to reconnect with cycling routes.
Additionally, in discussion of cycling infrastructure there seems too much focus on the type of infrastructure along a road (shared signage, lanes, separated lanes, etc.) and not enough about intersections, which are the most dangerous place on the road for cyclists. The best thing that can happen to me when I'm crossing an intersection is for a car to crossing at the same time. Drivers waiting to turn are looking for cars and see cars. Despite my multiple lights, reflective wear, I'm often not seen by drivers at intersections.
To complement this funding, the Province also needs to do more education and outreach and instruct municipalities to do more enforcement of the updates to the Highway Traffic Act, especially the 1 m rule. Cyclists need wide scale behaviour change from drivers on this one.
[Original Comment ID: 196395]
Submitted February 12, 2018 12:18 PM
Comment on
MTO Discussion Paper on Cycling Initiatives under the Climate Change Action Plan
ERO number
012-8772
Comment ID
1600
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