Thank-you for providing us…

Thank-you for providing us with the opportunity to comment on how the Climate Change Action Plan funding should be prioritized to increase cycling. The cycling program represents a significant opportunity to enhance commuter cycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Ontario.

The City of Peterborough supports the comments submitted by Share the Road and would like to add:

1.Invest the full $225 million in cycling infrastructure over 5 years, but perhaps allow some flexibility for projects approved in year 5 to be completed by year 7. Many municipalities do not have staff trained in bikeway design and there is a shortage of technical staff at the moment, so getting quality projects implemented may take a bit more time than planned.
2.To assist with designing quality projects, it would be great to have a team of experienced staff from the Ministry, consultants and municipalities that would be available to peer review drawings prepared by less experienced staff. With bikeway design, the details are critical and we find that peer review of our drawings has been extremely helpful.
3.Prioritize cycling infrastructure investments that contribute to the development of connected, low-stress cycling networks (particularly around schools and to transit stations)
4.Consider investing in bike share, especially as a connection to transit
5.The Province should adopt a Complete Streets policy for its own road projects and a Vision Zero policy as well. By leading in Vision Zero, roads will become safer, which in turn will maximize the value of investments made in cycling infrastructure. There will be a synergy to support increased rates of cycling with safer roads and additional cycling infrastructure
6.E-bikes extend the range that cyclists will commute significantly. Some research has shown that the average distance commuters will travel on a regular bike is 5 km, compared to 20 km for those using e-bikes. E-bikes can be used by people who find it difficult to cycle due to physical limitations. In Peterborough, e-bikes are very popular. What we are lacking is sanctioned training for these cyclists and policies for parking, etc.
7.With our aging population, we have an increasing number of electric scooters and wheelchairs in use in our community. Many of the people using these mobility devices are choosing to use on-road cycling facilities because they are smoother than our sidewalks. Planning for their use may be wise because it is happening already
8.The new pedestrian cross-over treatments are being used on multi-use trails to the detriment of cyclists. Cyclists are required to dismount and walk across roads that they have ridden across for years. This is a regressive step and a formal trail crossing needs to be developed ASAP.
9.Lastly, our engineering and transportation staff desperately need training on bicycle friendly road design, including intersections, etc. Attending the APBP professional development sessions is out of reach for our municipality. Equivalent training in Ontario, provided at a low cost or no cost, would be a great help.

[Original Comment ID: 202853]