**An official signed copy…

**An official signed copy has been sent to the address indicated on the Environmental Registry**

Ms. Mayer:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Ministry’s Discussion Paper on Cycling Infrastructure. For your ease of reference, our responses below are arranged in the order that the questions (italic) are posed in the paper.

a)What infrastructure should be prioritized to make cycling in Ontario safer and more convenient to support commuter cycling between residential communities, major transit stations, employment areas and other destinations travelled to on a frequent basis?

It is suggested that the Province analyze municipal cycling plans relevant to the provincial network, including their timing for implementation, to identify key gaps that need to be filled on a priority basis and fund their completion. This is consistent with the approach that Durham has undertaken in its current update to the Transportation Master Plan, whereby key cycling network gap closures are proposed to be funded on a priority basis. It is very likely that such an analysis by the Province will demonstrate the need for priority gap closures across restricted access freeways, and inter-municipal connections. It is also suggested that the Ministry provide priority funding to accelerate the implementation of the key infill connections such as highway crossings to support commuter cycling across the Region and the Province.

b)What evidence can demonstrate the impact of cycling infrastructure investments on the number of cyclists and on GHG emissions?

Comprehensive travel surveys such as cordon counts and transportation tomorrow surveys provide an accurate picture of cycling and greenhouse gas emission calculations, but these surveys are only conducted once or twice in a five year cycle. It is suggested that the Province work with municipal partners to investigate ways to enforce these surveys to better capture cyclist behavior and environmental impacts.

c)For local cycling networks, what types of cycling infrastructure would best support commuter cycling between residential communities, major transit stations, employment areas and other destinations travelled to on a frequent basis?

It is suggested that the Ministry consider funding for cycling infrastructure projects that uphold safety standards outlined in Ontario Transportation Manual (OTM) Book 18. This is consistent with the approach employed by the Region on its cycling infrastructure implementation.

Within Durham, Highway 401 and Highway 407 East crossings have been highlighted as areas needing paved shoulder treatments. For all new highway construction projects in the future, including the Phase 2 of the Hwy 407 East Expansion, we ask that the Ministry ensure that new infrastructure includes sufficient pavement width to accommodate paved shoulders for cyclists as per OTM Book 18 requirements on all its crossings. This issue continues to confound the cycling community in Durham as these major highways pose significant long term future barriers for north/south crossing (Hwy 407) and east/west (Hwy 412 & 418).

d)What types of cycling infrastructure on provincial highways would best support commuter cycling between residential communities, major transit stations, employment areas and other destinations travelled to on a frequent basis?

Provincial highways situated in rural areas of the Region carry large volumes of automotive and truck traffic traveling at high speeds. As such, it is suggested that provincial funding be made available to provide safe cycling infrastructure that can co-locate with such traffic conditions. The Ministry should ensure that these facilities incorporate OTM Book 18’s design guidelines. A recent good example of such construction is the provision of wide paved shoulders on Highway 7 between York Durham Line and Ashburn Road. The wide paved shoulders allow for a relatively easy future implementation of buffered bike lanes on the Highway 7 corridor.

While it is understood that Metrolinx and MTO are committed to improving walking and cycling access to GO Stations, particular attention should to be given to areas approaching Highway 401 interchanges near the Oshawa and Whitby GO Rail Stations and similar pinch points between urban centres and heavy rail corridors.

e)What types of bike parking facilities (e.g., bike racks, lockers, fee-based enclosures) are needed to support cycling for commuting and other frequent trips?

Bike parking facilities for commuting and other frequent trips should be installed in areas that are easy to access, clearly visible, and well lit. To allow cyclists to securely and efficiently lock up their bicycle in a convenient location, bike parking facilities should support the bicycle upright by its frame in two places, be made of industrial grade material, and enable the bicycle frame and one or both wheels to be secured.

f)What types of government-owned, publicly accessible facilities should have bike parking?

All government, and/or publicly accessible facilities should be able to provide a minimum standard of bike parking. Facilities include, but are not limited to: major transit hubs, public schools, carpool lots, community centres and post-secondary institutions.

g)What types of transit or transportation stations should have bike parking to support improved cyclist access (e.g., GO Stations, LRT stations, bus terminals)?

GO Train stations and GO Bus stops, major Durham Region Transit bus stops and terminals. These facilities should also meet the minimum standard as outlined in OTM Book 18 for maximum safety and security to the user.

h)What types of private facilities could potentially be eligible to receive provincial funding for bicycle funding?

Key private destinations in urban centres such as large offices, community centres, shopping malls, BIA’s etc. should be eligible to receive provincial funding for bicycle parking facilities.

Additionally, it is suggested that Province investigate the feasibility to support private bodies/municipalities in establishing bike share programs in the core of major urban centres such as downtown Oshawa and Pickering. This would further support the CCAP mandate in providing citizens, who may not have immediate access to a bicycle, the opportunity to utilize cycling facilities for their short term needs.

In summary, through our response you will notice a general theme towards the need to provide cycling facilities along or across provincial highways and restricted access freeways, which currently acts as barriers to safe and comfortable cycling experience. It is our opinion that the Province should utilize the CCAP funding to close these gaps on a priority basis, in addition to working closely with municipalities (upper, lower, and single tier) to provide an overall safe and enjoyable cycling environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Prasenjit Roy, Manager of Transportation Planning, at 905-668-4113 or Prasenjit.Roy@durham.ca.

Sincerely,

______________________________
B.E. Bridgeman, MCIP, RPP
Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development

[Original Comment ID: 202388]