Policy Proposal Notice:

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport (MTCS) are developing the next multi-year action plan to advance the implementation of #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy (see link section). Action Plan 2.0 is intended to build upon the significant advancements in cycling infrastructure and legislation established in Action Plan 1.0.

MTO and MTCS have developed a proposal outlining actions under consideration for Action Plan 2.0. To help guide the development and refinement of Action Plan 2.0, we are seeking feedback on a range of action items, including the following:

1) Design Healthy, Active and Prosperous Communities

• Work with municipalities to ensure that active transportation policies are included in their official plans
• Develop and implement active transportation policies in the Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy (NOMTS)
• Implement active transportation elements in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the GTHA  and Metrolinx Station Access Plans
• Identify new opportunities to allow passengers to take bikes onto buses and trains
• Collaborate on guidelines for e-bikes use on cycling facilities
• Active and Safe Routes to Schools
• Collaborate on guidelines and tools for cycling infrastructure near and around schools
• Include cycling as a key example of how children and youth can achieve 60 minutes of physical activity connected to the school day
• Support and celebrate Bike Month to promote cycling at the local and community level

2) Improve Cycling Infrastructure

• Invest in new cycling infrastructure for commuting, active living and recreational purposes under the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2017-2021
• Invest in new parking in cycling
• Develop a long-term implementation plan to guide the construction, recognition, signage and branding of the province-wide cycling network
• Include cycling infrastructure in provincial highway construction projects using the province-wide cycling network as a foundation
• Develop a program to support municipal implementation of the province-wide cycling network
• Work with municipalities to update Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18: Cycling Facilities
• Support the development of minimum maintenance standards for cycling infrastructure

3) Make Safer Highways and Streets

• Develop a recognition program for cycling safety champions
• Launch a public education campaign on cyclist rights and responsibilities
• Improve content about motorist-cyclist interactions in Beginner Driver Education
• Continue to reach out to road safety experts (safety organizations, enforcement, municipal and provincial partners)
• Continue to promote local cycling safety campaigns as part of the MTO’s Road Safety Challenge & promote cycling safety at events such across the province
• Continue to promote safety for all ages through the Cycling Skills Guide and Young Cyclists’ Guide
• Work to improve awareness of cycling rules and procedures

4) Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts

• Develop a comprehensive cycling education program that will provide common standards for cycling curriculum, instructional development and certification, and province-wide course delivery
• Develop a distinct brand for Ontario’s cycling education program and instructor certification that will be used for marketing and promoting cycling education
• Develop an Integrated Multi-Channel Marketing and Awareness Campaign
• Build on the Pan/ParaPan American Games legacy to leverage the Velodrome to support cycling for all purposes
• Create Ontario Cycling Coordination Committee
• Monitor and track progress on attitudinal and behavioral changes towards cycling

5) Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities

• Showcase Ontario as a premier cycling tourism destination through focused marketing, and cultural and heritage sites along identified cycling routes
• Develop tools to make it easier for cycling tourists, including route mapping and an enhanced cycling portal
• Build partnerships with the hospitality industry to be more bike-friendly
• Research and disseminate data on the economic impact of cycling tourism
• Develop a multi-day road cycling event across Ontario for both high performance and recreational cyclists
• Improve wayfinding for cyclists
• Establish a Cycling Tourism Trails Infrastructure Fund
• Promote cycling tourism strategy with regional tourism organizations (RTOs)

Some specific questions the ministries would like to discuss are:

• Will the proposed initiatives help us achieve Ontario’s goals for cycling?
• What challenges should we expect to encounter as we pursue the proposed initiatives?
• Are there other important actions that Ontario should take in the next 5 years to help us meet our goals for cycling?

This proposal serves as the basis of MTO and MTCS’ consultation on Action Plan 2.0’s action items. We invite you to provide us with your responses to any or all of them. Any feedback is welcomed and encouraged.

Cycling generates a wide range of health, economic, environmental, and social benefits. These include improved personal health, reduced health care costs as a result of lower rates of chronic conditions through active living, reduced traffic congestion in urban areas, a cleaner environment and increased tourism opportunities across the province.

To support the expansion of cycling initiatives in the province, Ontario established #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy in 2013. #CycleON is a 20-year vision to have cycling recognized as a respected and valued mode of transportation within Ontario. The Strategy has five aspirational goals for 2033, aimed to support the growth of cycling and to improve the safety of people who cycle across the province (see link section).

Action Plan 2.0 will be the second in a series of action plans, rolled out every five years to implement the Cycling Strategy and help make Ontario a more cycling-friendly province The action items outlined in the proposal are intended to help Ontario address the five Strategic Directions of #CycleON:

1) Design Healthy, Active, and Prosperous Communities
2) Improve Cycling Infrastructure
3) Make Highways and Streets Safer
4) Promote Cycling Awareness and Behavioural Shifts
5) Increase Cycling Tourism Opportunities

The proposal for Action Plan 2.0 was developed by MTO and MTCS. Action items in the proposal compile initiatives from a number of partner ministries and external stakeholders to support the development of #CycleON goals.

MTO and MTCS recently held a Ministers Cycling Advisory Panel with stakeholders across government, as well as from the non-for-profit and private sectors, to discuss the proposal for Action Plan 2.0. Feedback from the Panel will serve as a basis of consultation for Action Plan 2.0.

This proposal was posted for a 30 day public review and comment period starting February 05, 2018. Comments were to be received by March 07, 2018.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

In accordance with the Ministry of Transportation’s Statement of Environmental Values, the Ministry believes that public consultation is critical to sound environmental decision making. The public is invited to submit written comments regarding the proposal for Action Plan 2.0 to the Ministry of Transportation EBR Coordinator using the contact information provided. Alternatively, you may submit your comments online. Comments should be submitted within the 45 day timeframe noted at the top of this notice. Please quote the Environmental Registry Number when submitting comments.

The ministry will be pleased to review all comments and advice regarding the proposal’s contents and approach. All public comments received during the posting of the proposal for Action Plan 2.0 will be taken into consideration by the Ministry of Transportation during the finalizing of the policy.

For further technical information please contact:

Cliff McLeod
Team Lead, Sustainable and Innovative Transportation
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
777 Bay Street, 30th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J8
Cliff.McLeod@ontario.ca
(416) 585-7216

All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the Ministry if they:

a. are submitted online through this EBR posting or submitted in writing with the EBR Registry number clearly referenced; and
b. are received by the Contact person within the specified comment period.

Please Note: No acknowledgment or individual response will be provided to those who comment. All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record.

Katerina Downard
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of Transportation
Policy and Planning Division
Transportation Planning Branch
Environmental Policy Office (Toronto)
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto Ontario
M7A 2J8
Phone: (416) 585-6310