REFERENCE: ERO 025-1071:…

REFERENCE:

ERO 025-1071: Bill 60 - Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 – Modern Transportation – Prohibiting Vehicle Lane Reduction for New Bicycle Lanes

Please accept the following as Oxford County’s Submission of Comments in response to the proposed changes posted for public consultation on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO 025-1071).

Background

The County of Oxford appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed regulatory changes under Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025.

Oxford County currently identifies road diets the County’s Cycling Master Plan as a viable option to accommodate cycling infrastructure within the existing road corridor in urban areas without impacting traffic capacity. Road diets generally involve the conversion of a travel lane(s) to a shared center turning lane which provides spacing for bike lane implementation without property acquisition, improves road safety by minimizing speeding and traffic weaving and reduces rear end collisions associated with turning movements.

Comments

Like other municipalities, the County has successfully utilized road diets as a cost-effective approach to accommodate cycling infrastructure within existing road corridors while maintaining traffic capacity and improving road safety, as supported through applicable pre-design traffic studies.

The County does not feel that a road diet constitutes removal of a travel lane but is rather a repurposing of existing lanes and respectfully requests that road diets are exempt from the proposed legislation.

The County is requesting clarification with regards to when proposed amendments will take effect and potential impacts to projects that are currently underway.

Conclusion

The County is requesting that the implementation of road diets be exempt from the proposed legislation to prohibit vehicle lane reduction for new bicycle lanes. The County further requests an update with respect to when proposed amendments will take effect and potential impacts to projects that are currently underway.

Sincerely,

Frank Gross, C.Tech.
Senior Manager of Transportation and Waste Management Services
Oxford County Public Works