B!KE str to advance Ontario…

B!KE str to advance Ontario's Cycling Strategy with Action Plan 2.0. Our organization is highly supportive of the action items identified for inclusion in Action Plan 2.0 and will work to advance our communities participation in several key areas. This opportunity to comment, and express our support for the ongoing work of the MTO and MTCS to advance cycling is appreciated.

The following comments pertain to specific action items

1) Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities

Support for municipalities in becoming more cycle friendly is an essential step toward a more bike friendly Ontario. Provision of guidelines and resources for planning and facility development are key. B!KE would additionally support measures that create compliance within municipalities such as required paving of shoulders on certain roads, or compulsory actions such as the inclusion of cycling networks within master plans. The MTO and MTCS are right to identify community design as an important component to healthy, active and prosperous communities.

2) Improve Cycling Infrastructure

Provincial support, and specifically the support of the MTO, in policy and funding for cycling infrastructure is essential to advancing cycling in Ontario. A strong position from the MTO on cycling infrastructure is key to the bicycle being taken seriously as a mode of transportation by municipal leaders and city staff. All measure identified in this section will play a strong role. Additionally, B!KE recommends that the MTO support municipal staff in bringing training up to date on cycling infrastructure. Many city staff did not receive adequate training to make informed decisions about the design, engineering and implementation of cycling infrastructure, nor are there adequate resources on best practices for reference. Training programs for municipal staff and specifically engineers could provide a major support for the design and implementation of cycling infrastructure.

3) Make Safer Highways and Streets

Provincial education campaigns have an important benefit of reaching a wide population. These educational campaigns have the additional benefit of normalizing cycling as a transportation choice.

4) Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts

B!KE has delivered in-school cycling education programs for 5 years. Our programs include Pedal Power, a five week in-class program for grade 5's to learn the rules of the road and how to use a bicycle for transportation. These programs have been primarily funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

It is our strong belief that in order to make widespread change in our transportation choices that all children ought to participate in bicycle transportation programs. If all school aged children learn to ride a bike for transportation, they will grow into adults who are more likely to ride a bike, and understand how to share the road.  With funding from the MTO and the MTCS it will be possible to create this type of future for Ontario.

B!KE believes the provision of cycling education to be one of the most urgent action areas, and strongly supports funding specifically for in-school and public education.

5) Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities

Cycling tourism is a good strategy to leverage funding and influence in cycling. It is important that it remain a part of the Action Plan.

Specific questions forwarded by the ministry are below with short responses:

• Will the proposed initiatives help us achieve Ontario’s goals for cycling?

Educational programs for an entire co-hort of grade school students has the potential to radically shift the culture that surrounds cycling in Ontario. As exemplified by the introduction of recycling programs in schools children and youth are both an age group that open to adopting behaviors support healthy and environmental lifestyles and also a key influence of their entire household. More children riding bikes for transportation will directly increase the number of adults who choose to ride bikes. If these programs are implemented on a wide scale, we will see province wide impacts to rates of cycling within 2-5 years.

• What challenges should we expect to encounter as we pursue the proposed initiatives?

It is our belief that the greatest challenge to these programs will be political leadership in their implementation and longevity. It is our hope that the MTO and MTCS are successful in developing lasting policies and plans that are budget linked to ensure success even if leadership transition in the province occurs.

• Are there other important actions that Ontario should take in the next 5 years to help us meet our goals for cycling?

Ensuring that municipalities, and specifically city staff, have access to best practices resources and current training on cycling will play a major role in advancing localized cycling initiatives.

Furthermore, steps to ensure that municipalities comply with provincial direction around the inclusion of cycling programs and infrastructure in planning processes is essential.

[Original Comment ID: 213343]