Building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario

Bicycling in Ontario Share the Road Cycling Coalition Cycling Tourism Summit

-- Bicycle: 72 people = 90 square meters.

--Car: average occupancy of 1.2 people per car, 60 cars are needed to transport 72 people= 1,000 square meters.

-- Bus: 72 people can be transported on 1 bus, which only requires 30 square meters of space

â€˘â€ˆ A provincial bicycling advocacy and policy organization. SRCC works with and on behalf of 5,000 stakeholders across the province through our network of local experts, municipal officials, advocates, public health, law enforcement, business and tourism officials.

Create Political Champions

Provincial Role: Policies, Legislation Infrastructure Funding

Advocacy

Education for cyclists/ motorists

Bike Summits (5 in 2013)

Bicycle Friendly Communities Province-wide Ad Campaign: CAA

Lake Erie Tour Launch

Ontario Bicycle Strategy

Change the Conversation

Building the mov’t

Share the Road Rides (8) Ontario CAN! (Cycling Advocacy Network)

Province

Federal

Cities

Ontario Bicycle Policy

HTA Amendments

MTO/

Bicycling Education Public Education Campaign

Ontario Coroner’s Review

Infrastructure Metrolinx: The Big Move

Ontario Bicycling Route Childhood Obesity: Healthy Kids Panel

TOURISM

MOHLTC

Active and Safe Routes to School

As Minister of Transportation, Premier Wynne led the development of the first Bicycle Policy update in Ontario in 20 years

• Divert $25 million or 1 % of the Ontario transportation budget to community bicycling infrastructure in 2013.

• Fund bicycling education program for all ages, with a focus on schools • Fund Active and Safe Routes to School programs across Ontario via Healthy Kids Panel • Execute Ontario Bike Policy: (Quebec/B.C.) – An overarching vision – A framework for initiatives i.e. education/awareness, tourism/economic development, legislative change – A framework for funding municipal infrastructure i.e. paved shoulders

• Ontario Bicycling Strategy = Ontario Bike Policy 2013 • MTO Driver’s handbook review (complete) • Drive with Care/Ride with Care Project for Youth (MOHLTC funded) 12 high schools across Ontario (@YouthCycleON) • “Bike-ability” for Ontario: provincial cycling education program • Ontario Youth Bike Summit – October 6th Toronto (Heart and Stroke Foundation) • Metrolinx Panel: Active and Safe Routes • Ministry of Health, “Healthy Kids Panel”

• First policy update in 20 years November 2012 • Share the Road: “Green Paper on Bicycling in Ontario: When Ontario Bikes, Ontario Benefits” created the framework for the policy in 2010 • Quebec, BC have provincial bicycle policies • An overarching vision, recommended in Coroner’s Review • A framework for municipal infrastructure funding and initiatives • A mechanism for legislative change • Framework for Ontario Bicycle Network development • It’s a great start….but it’s not perfect…..

• Broad themes: – Enhanced communication/clarity needed – share info/research with municipalities, public (Policy) – Enhanced support for education (cyclists/motorists) – Greater acknowledgement that bikes matter & are a priority – Province-wide network -- positive – Some barriers remain: i.e. “Right of Way” issues, HTA amendments needed i.e. paved shoulders – Senior Ministry direction – Dedicated provincial funding envelope

Leading the Identification of a Province-Wide Cycling Network • The Ministry will identify a province-wide cycling route network to connect cycling destinations to create recreational cycling and tourism opportunities.

• Using data collected on existing municipal or regional local cycling routes, the Ministry will identify how connections can be made between local cycling routes to form a province-wide cycling route network in order to maximize existing municipal investments. The Ministry will focus its cycling infrastructure investments on closing the gaps between existing cycling routes to create a provincial cycling network.

Infrastructure investments: • When the Ministry plans infrastructure projects for future funding – either constructing new provincial highways or rehabilitating existing provincial highways – it will evaluate on a case- by-case basis whether the addition of a cycling component6 is warranted based on outlined criteria and whether it can be accommodated without substantially altering the scope of the project. Priority will be given to projects that: • • Could form part of a province-wide cycling network.

• • Have no viable alternative route.

• Some next steps: • Compile feedback (Ministry staff) • Finalize Ontario Bicycle Policy • Meantime: – Get mayors, councilors lobbying the province – encourage them to continue the work outlined in the strategy – Budget 2013: municipal support for dedicated active transportation funding is critical – Pre-budget submissions should include AT as part of the infrastructure mix!

Councilor Diane Freeman, City of Waterloo, Board Member (AM0) Commuter cyclist‌ FCM Award Winner 2011 For Complete Streets Design

Mayor Steve Parrish Ajax Cyclist, Champion Bicycle Friendly Community Award Winner (Bronze)

• Grow Bicycle Friendly Communities Program – build capacity in municipal sector, share best practices • Secure municipal assistance to lobby province for predictable, sustainable AT funding • Secure provincial/municipal assistance to ensure province includes active transportation in eligibility for funding in Federal Budget 2013 infrastructure announcement

• Broad-based representation from variety of sectors • National Health NGOs (H/Stroke, Cancer, Diabetes); Cdn. Medical Association; CUTA, CIPP, ITE Canada, CAA, Canadian Chamber of Commerce • FCM (Advisor) • Pre-budget submission (letter) to Ministers Flaherty and Lebel • Ask: AT be eligible for funding in the new Long Term Infrastructure Fund • Raise awareness of burgeoning interest in cycling/AT municipally

7 Rides Across Ontario in 2013: - Huntsville – May 25th - Manitoulin – June 8/9th - Ottawa – June 15th - Port Carling – July 28th - Sudbury – August 8th - Minden – August 10th - Milton – September 29th Over 1 million miles of training Bicycle Travel/Tourism linkages as Ontarians travel to rides across Ontario!

Support for 4 “Prima Fondo” Rides: - Huntsville – May 25th - Ottawa – June 15th - Minden – August 10th - Milton – September 29th GranFondo Canada is one of the best Cycling event organizations in North America.

STR one of their official charitable partners Vancouver to Whistler Ride Banff National Park Niagara Falls September 14th

• RBC Estimated Economic Impact:

Pent Up Demand • A majority of Ontarians (58%) indicated that they would prefer to cycle more often, up somewhat from 53% in 2011.

• Strongest interest in cycling more?

• individuals aged 18-34 (67%), • those with children in their household (65%) • regular cyclists (62%) • those who reported driving their car every day (59%).

Unlocking Pent-Up Demand

Bicycle Friendly Communities Initiative • Started in 1996 by the League of American Cyclists, brought to Ontario in 2010.

• Funded in Canada by:

Bicycle Friendly Communities Initiative • • • • • • •

18 communities 30% of Ontario’s population now lives in a BFC Platform for change Celebrate progress – plan for the future Share success, best practices Evidence-based approach Marketing strategy

Bicycle Friendly Communities Initiative

Benefits

– Recognition – – – –

Promotion Benchmarking Technical help Inspiration/Civic Pride

Town of Blue Mountains- Bronze

Bicycle Friendly Communities Initiative

4 Award Levels

– Bronze – Silver – Gold – Platinum

Mississauga - Bronze

The 5 ‘E’s of Cycling

– Engineering – Education – Encouragement – Enforcement – Evaluation & Planning London- Bronze

Bicycle Friendly Communities have‌.

A Commitment to Action Ottawa- Silver

Bicycle Friendly Communities have‌.

Network of all facilitiesComplete streets policy

Waterloo- Silver

Bicycle Friendly Communities have‌.

Targets and Measures

London- Bronze

Bicycle Friendly Communities have….

A plan to leverage the benefits of cycling ….

Oshawa- Bronze

Bicycle Friendly Communities have‌.

People riding bikes!

Windsor- Bronze

Bicycle Friendly Communities have‌.

People riding bikes!

Safe, convenient places for bikes

Bicycle Friendly Communities have….

Strong relationships with law enforcement

People riding bikes!

Officers on bikes Collision analysis Law enforcement “at the table” advocating for enhanced safety, Infrastructure investments

Bicycle Friendly Communities Initiative • Application Review: – Reviewed by staff and external reviewers – Feedback from local cyclists and advocates – Feedback/Action Plan: creates a roadmap for the future

Hamilton- Silver

Bicycle Friendly Communities: Recognition

• “Bicycle Friendly Communities are places with a high

quality of life, where people want to live, work, and visit.

Building such a community can translate into a more connected, physically active, and environmentally sustainable community that enjoys increased property values, business growth, increased tourism, and more transportation choices for citizens.” ---- BFA Report

• Lots of great stuff happening in Ontario • We have movement at the province…

• Momentum, growing political will • Growing awareness of the benefits of cycling • “The Big Move” – conversations, opportunities • Bikes=transit=good for our economy=good for our environment

• But there is much to do…

• How can you help?

• Join Ontario CAN! • Lobby for change, get your municipalities lobbying the province • Apply to the Bicycle Friendly Communities Program • Come to the Complete Streets Forum/ Ontario Bike Summit May 27-29th – Hyatt Toronto

•

â€˘â€ˆ To improve road safety in Ontario and to get more people on bikes by increasing provincial and municipal support for cycling infrastructure, education and awareness.

• To mobilize volunteers across Ontario.

• To increase the effectiveness of bicycling advocates.

• To enhance awareness of and support for bicycling programs locally and provincially.

• STR is providing advocacy training/webinars in advance of the Ontario Bike Summit • For Info: Eleanor@sharetheroad.ca

Be the change you want to see in the world‌ - Ghandi

• We look forward to working with you in Building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario!

• eleanor@sharetheroad.ca • www.sharetheroad.ca