February 23, 2018…

February 23, 2018

EBR Registry Number:   013-1837

Ministry: Ministry of Transportati.  In addition, work with municipalities to encourage the inclusion of active transportation in municipalities’ other supporting Master Plan policies, such as Master Transportation Plans.

•Action item - “Collaborate on guidelines and tools for cycling infrastructure near and around schools”: It is very encouraging to see the initiative relating to “collaborate on guidelines and tools for cycling infrastructure near and around schools”. Ottawa Public Health recommends that the guidelines for the perimeter of the school grounds allow for safe and convenient bike access and parking, and minimize conflicts with vehicle entrances and drop-offs. There is also a need to provide more guidance on the appropriate design of cycling infrastructure around the school site to support cycling. We would encourage that the description for this guideline include the importance of looking beyond the immediate school site and include a reasonable distance into surrounding neighborhoods to ensure that the roads leading to schools support safe cycling for children as well.

•Action item - Strategic Direction “Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities”: The City of Ottawa has developed an innovative approach to measuring level of service for cycling, in order to better assess the impacts of new infrastructure on cycling.  The MTO could consider conducting research on level of service assessment for cycling for use by other jurisdictions in Ontario, who are interested in developing more technical engineering assessments from a cycling perspective, in order to promote safe and appropriate cycling infrastructure.

•Action item - “Include cycling infrastructure in provincial highway construction projects using the province-wide cycling network as a foundation”: We recommend the inclusion of low stress cycling facilities during the construction and re-habilitation of provincial overpasses, especially in terms of safe and protected crossings of associated on/off ramps; ensure the facilities would be safe for users of all ages, including children.

•Action item - “Monitor and track progress on attitudinal and behavioral changes towards cycling”: Develop an  580-6744, ext. 28971

[Original Comment ID: 213324]