Generally, for smaller rural…

Generally, for smaller rural and rural/urban communities, paved shoulders are the best and most effective way to connect residential communities (hamlets) together. This can become difficult when there are multiple governments with responsibility for roads (county, province, municipality). Provincially, direction should be mandated to counties and municipalities to adopt paved shoulders policies when re-surfacing of roads is occurring. Within the urban area and urban-rural fringe/interconnection area, it is more appropriate to utilize a system of segregated lanes, especially when 4 lane roads are in the mix.

Perhaps the impact of cycling investments on number of cyclists could be measured by comparing MTO vehicle registrations in communities after investment in infrastructure has been implemented against communities where investment in infrastructure has not been implemented (control group).

The best way to connect communities (hamlets and urban) is through paved shoulders. The best way to connect employment areas to residential areas is through segregated bike lanes.

Pedestrian and active transportation bridges over provincial infrastructure are costly and not always best. Just because a bridge is built as a solution, it does not mean that the path before and after the bridge will still be bike-friendly and promote increased cycling. If the bridge places cyclists on a busy county or provincial road, those who are not strong and fearless may simply avoid the structure in search of low traffic routes without any bike infrastructure. A better alternative may be to identify a low traffic route that conveys residents and avoids provincial infrastructure as much as possible. Find the paths of least resistance.

Bike parking should have a consistent provincial standard (adopt APBP standards for example and make that part of the AODA). Bike parking should be at all municipal centres and libraries. Private businesses should be eligible to receive funding when improving the accessibility of existing bike parking, or installing lockers and enclosures to promote end of trip secure options.

[Original Comment ID: 196487]