(this letter will be made…

(this letter will be made public as an open letter)

Saturday November 5, 2016

Arielle Mayer
Senior Policy Advisor
Ministry of Transportation
Policy and Planning Division
Transportation Planning Branch
Environmental Policy Office (Toronto)
777 Bay Street

Suite 3000
Toronto Ontario
M7A 2J8

Phone: (416) 585-6311

re: MTO Discussion Paper on Cycling Initiatives under the Climate Change Action Plan

Dear Arielle Mayer,

I'm writing today as someone who is working on an independent project to try to build a National Cycling Network for Canada. I have collected 13 sets of GPS tracks from people who have cycled across Canada on a self-supported tour, and (so far) 7 sets of Waypoints showing where each cyclist stayed each night.

When i overlay all of this information onto the same map, the results are clear. In Northern Ontario, starting from the Manitoba Border, ALL roads need to have designated cycling lanes. Highway 17, Highway 71, Highway 6

Specifically, all that is being asked for is that a 2 meter (1.5meter absolute minimum) width of pavement past the white line be paved on either side of the road.

For cars, you would expect that the road is paved on the major routes and that is uninterrupted. Not a segment paved, then gravel, then dirt, then paved again. It's expected to have a continuous surface from 1 end of the Provence to the other.

Cycling should not be just thought of as 'a recreation activity' but as a TRANSPORTATION MEDIUM.

Yes, there needs to be a recreation cycling network, but ALSO there needs to be a after route for cyclists who want to get from A-B as a safe and fast as possible.

For example that you might be familiar with, the Waterfront Trail along lake Ontario is an example for Recreation Cycling. There are many stretches of it, where those who want to get from A to B faster, simply take Lakeshore road (or the equivalent service road) and don't take all of the side-roads that the Waterfront Trail directs cyclists to use.

The solution is to have BOTH, make sure that the main roads all have adequate cycling lanes on BOTH sides of the road to allow for cyclists to safely use the direct roads, but also to use the side roads (when they have more time).

Ontario Transportation needs to really understand that Cycling is not just a recreation activity, but a transportation medium, as such EVERY road needs to have a cycling option. And Highways (freeways) where cyclists aren't permitted, there should be ADEQUATE safe cycling route to bypass and go along side the highway, and connect back when the road is calmer.

So please, follow what is done is most European countries, and set your priority to making sure that the fastest, most direct routes across the province be made Transportation cyclist friendly. .... just as during a snowstorm, there is priority that the major routes always get cleared first.

While it is a noble cause to make bicycle racks, have more recreation trails and signage, having painted bike lanes & paved shoulders should be the priority. Once every major route HAS bike lanes/paved shoulders, then make sure there is parking and side trails and signage. Just like how if there was a natural disaster, earthquake for example, the 1st priority is to get the major highways fixed, rather than making sure that the carpool parking lots have fresh paint indicating parking stalls.

Thank you,
Sam Vekemans
Across Canada Trails
Victoria, BC

[Original Comment ID: 196391]