Share the Road Green Paper Unveiled

Advice to Province Includes Creation of $20 million “Ontario Bicycling Investment Fund”

Toronto – March 5th, 2010

Green Paper: When Ontario Bikes, Ontario Benefits – A Green Paper on Bicycling in Ontario [PDF]
Speaking Notes: Launch of the Green Paper on Bicycling for Ontario

The Share the Road Cycling Coalition (The Coalition) an Ontario-based provincial cycling advocacy organization released today a Green Paper for Bicycling in Ontario entitled “When Ontario Bikes, Ontario Benefits – A Green Paper on Bicycling in Ontario ”.

The Green Paper’s release comes in advance of the upcoming Speech from the Throne and Budget and outlines specific recommendations on how the Ontario government can and must play a direct role in encouraging cycling in Ontario.

One such recommendation is the creation of a fund for encouraging cycling infrastructure, policies and programs in Ontario. The $20 million “Ontario Bicycling Investment Fund” would provide funding for initiatives to promote cycling in Ontario. The amount represents the provincial component to the HST which beginning July 1st will be applied to bikes, bike parts and products, and is based on data from the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC).

As the Green Paper notes: “Leadership involves making choices. Choosing to incorporate bicycling as part of a multi-modal policy approach at the provincial level is an idea whose time has come. This choice has a number of important benefits for our health and our environment.”

“Leveraging the benefits of cycling to our environment, our economy and to lowering our health care costs involves fundamental changes to the way the province develops and approaches transportation policy. It will also require an investment of resources. We are recommending that the province re-direct this HST revenue as an equitable investment of taxpayer dollars -- particularly in light of the overall transportation spending envelope in Ontario – and as a means of level the playing field with investments made by neighbouring jurisdictions,” said Share the Road Cycling Coalition Founder and CEO Eleanor McMahon.

The Green Paper was developed by the Coalition in consultation with partners across Ontario, and further to the Coalition’s 2009 Ontario Bike Summit, a gathering of cycling experts, municipal leaders and international speakers. Best practices in cycling design, policies and initiatives were shared with a view to building capacity, developing best practices and learning from other colleagues and jurisdictions who have embraced cycling as a mainstream mode of transportation and recreation.

“Our provincial government, unlike other provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec does not currently play a direct role in creating policies and funding infrastructure, education and awareness initiatives to encourage bicycling. Our data and research, based on polling and surveys done in communities across Ontario, confirms what we heard at the 2009 Ontario Bike Summit. Communities across Ontario want the province to play a direct role in funding initiatives which will make Ontario a bicycle-friendly province,” McMahon said.

“In particular, jurisdictions such as Quebec have created a provincial bicycle policy which includes that province’s plans for improving cyclists’ safety and mobility; working with municipalities to give them the tools they need to encourage bicycling at the local level; and a vision for the future which leverages the positive economic benefits of bicycling – including promoting bicycle tourism and congestion mitigation. All of this in the context of the province’s recognition that cycling plays an important role in reducing the impacts of climate change,” said McMahon.

In order to develop a bicycle policy for Ontario – a comprehensive framework which includes the province’s plans to encourage cycling -- the Coalition surveyed municipal leaders, planners and engineers, law enforcement officers, cycling experts and advocates across Ontario on what they the Ontario government should be doing in order to encourage bicycling in Ontario.

When asked to rank in order of importance, what role the provincial government should play 450 stakeholders surveyed in September 2009, said:

• Enhanced Funding for Infrastructure - 86 per cent
• Enhanced Education Programs for Cyclists (including children) and Motorists - 74 per cent
• Enhanced Support for Public Awareness and Promotion Campaigns to encourage cycling - 71 per cent
• Legislation and Policies to Encourage Cycling - 62 per cent

The Green Paper provides recommendation for action by the province in each of these areas.

In fact McMahon noted that this advice and direction are consistent with the critical elements already in place in jurisdictions around the world that have embraced cycling: “Countries across the globe – including the United States – are embracing cycling as a solution to many of the major challenges facing our society: environmental degradation, the rising prevalence of heart and stroke disease in our general population, obesity in our children, increasing transportation costs and congestion. Ontario can and must make cycling an integral part of its planning, and must provide to communities the tools necessary to enhance their economic competitiveness and the quality of life of their citizens.”

The Green Paper underscores the fact that Ontario can learn from our neighbors to the south, in addition to British Columbia and Quebec, jurisdictions that have invested in promoting and encouraging cycling.

Facts which support this include:

• The United States invested over $1.5 B in cycling enhancement, education and awareness programs in 2009. This amount does not include proposals to increase the $671 million made available via the “Safe Routes to School” legislation passed in 2005.
• British Columbia, through a provincial cycling fund “Bike B.C.” has invested $31 million in cycling.
• Quebec has invested over $200 million in initiatives including the 4300 km cycling route – “La Route Verte”, launched in 2007. That province is earning an estimated $130 million a year as a result of this initiative.

“This Green Paper is being released in advance of the Ontario government’s Throne Speech and upcoming Budget so that our province can begin to include in their vision, the development of policies, legislative constructs, programs and funding necessary to encourage and facilitate bicycling as a mainstream mode of transportation and recreation. It is our hope that stakeholders across the province will see the Green Paper as a useful contribution to furthering cycling in Ontario,” McMahon added.

About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition: The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is a provincial cycling advocacy organization created to unite cycling organizations from across Ontario and work with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their communities more bicycle- friendly. The organization’s mandate is province-wide with a specific focus on the development of provincial policies and initiatives to encourage and enhance cycling in Ontario. The Coalition was created in memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart killed in a cycling collision in June 2006 and the husband of the organization’s Founder and CEO.

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact us.

The First Annual Ontario Bicycle Summit was a great success and we wish to send out our thanks to all the speakers, volunteers, and attendees who made it happen.

As promised, we have posted materials and web links from the 2009 summit here on the Share the Road web site. If you are looking for presentations, please visit the Agenda page.

A few pics from the 2009 Summit:

What's next? Plenty to come but keep this page bookmarked for details on the 2010 Ontario Bike Summit

2009 Ontario Bike Summit in the News:

Fighting for a safer ride of way, TheStar.com
Ontarians afraid to ride bikes, TheRecord.com
Fear keeps cyclists off road: Survey, TheSpec.com
Cycling summit part of personal crusade for Burlington woman, TheRecord.com
Cyclists and motorists must learn to share the road: transportation minister, TheRecord.com
Ride for killed OPP officer pedals on Sunday, TheSpec.com
Share the Road for Greg Ride to raise funds for bicycling coalition, The Independent
City of Waterloo to host "Share the Road" Cycling Summit, CanadianCyclist.com

2009 Agenda (updated) | 2009 Workshops | 2009 Speakers | 2009 Registration

Greg's Ride

When: 10:00 am, Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Where: Kelso Conservation Area* ( 5234 Kelso Road, Milton, ON, L9T 2X7). Ride begins at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Registration opens at 8:30 am
* Note venue change this year.

About the Ride

In June 2006, OPP Sgt. Greg Stobbart was hit by a truck as he rode his bike on a rural road, training for an upcoming event.  He died as a result of his injuries.  

Each year, Eleanor McMahon, Greg’s wife, has organized “Greg’s Ride” to remember Greg, to remind us all to “share the road”, and to raise funds for the cycling coalition she founded and leads, Share The Road.  This year marks the 4th year for Greg’s Ride, which has been generously supported by several sponsors, notably Racer Sportif.

By participating in Greg’s Ride, you will join fellow cyclists from all over Ontario and beyond to deliver a powerful message:  we must all work together – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians – to be aware of one another and travel safely on our roads together.  You are also supporting Share the Road, as it pursues its mission with vigour:  making Ontario “bicycle friendly for all of us, and increasing awareness of the value and the importance of safe bicycling for healthy lifestyles, a more vibrant environment and sustainable communities.  Join us!

Registration

Registration is $65.00 for all over the age of 14.  Children between 10 and 14 are free when registered and accompanied by an adult. (Up to 2 children per adult—proof of child’s age will be required on site.)  No refunds are available.

NOTE: Online Registration is now closed.

If you have not pre-registered, simply print out the form (Individual Registration or Family Registration), complete it, and bring it with you to the ride on Sept. 20.  Payment must be in the form of cash or cheque.

PLAN TO JOIN US.

All riders are welcome!

Included in your ride fee:

• Your ride(s) – well marked, with ride marshals, police presence and a short stop at the scene of Greg’s accident;
• Ride distances of 35, 60 or 120 km. (See the 35 km Route Map and the 60 km Route Map - 120 km ride is two loops of the 60 km route)
• A custom designed Share The Road Cycling jersey (Adults) or organic cotton T-shirt (Children)
• Pre-ride refreshments and water along the route
• Post ride BBQ
• Other “goodies” in each rider’s bag.
• Tickets will be available to win a Scott Speedster Road Bike!

Come out and join us - have some fun, a great ride, and support a worthy cause! See you there.

Greg's Ride 2009 Sponsors

Greg's Law

Bill 126 “Ontario Road Safety Act” Passes 3rd Reading in Ontario Legislature “Greg’s Law” In Memory of Deceased Ontario Provincial Police Officer

Burlington, Ontario – April 22nd, 2009 – Eleanor McMahon, road safety advocate and Founder of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (a provincial cycling advocacy organization) reacted positively to the news that Bill 126 (the Ontario Road Safety Act) passed third reading in the Ontario legislature yesterday.

The Bill contains provisions targeting suspended drivers, with those caught driving under suspension to receive a penalty that will include a seven day vehicle impoundment. The amendments, known as “Greg’s Law” target motorists who drive suspended, unlicensed and therefore uninsured.

Said McMahon: “Suspended driver legislation now exists in seven provinces, with Ontario joining that number. This is a clear and very positive demonstration that the behaviours of motorists who drive while unlicensed are now part of Ontario’s road safety agenda. Driving is a privilege, and not a right. Our hope is that holding unlicensed drivers to account by impounding their vehicles will be a powerful deterrent – particulalry given the disregard for the law that driving unlicensed demonstrates.”

“Greg’s Law” is named in memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, Ms. McMahon’s husband, who was killed while on an off duty training ride on his bicycle on June 6, 2006 in Milton, Ontario just north of their home in Burlington. The driver who killed Sergeant Stobbart had a significant history of several infractions including 5 convictions for driving while his license was under suspsension.

Since his death, Ms. McMahon has advocated for this legislative change, and in particular, penalities like those found in Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Action (the street racing legislation) which provide for vehicle impoundment, fines and a further license suspension. Those penalities, which research has demonstrated act as a powerful deterrent are now part of “Greg’s Law”. Officials estimate that the Bill will come into force by the fall of 2010.

“It is very gratifying to have this law passed in my husband’s memory. The knowledge that Greg’s Law will provide his colleagues in law enforcement with an important tool to keep suspended and unlicensed drivers off our roads, gives us a level of comfort that lives can be saved, and perhaps other families can be spared the kind of loss we suffered,” said McMahon.

“When they continue to drive, despite the removal of privilieges, these drivers are breaking the law, with their victims and their victim’s families left to pay the terrible social and human costs associated with the losses they cause,” she noted.

McMahon underscored the issue by pointing to research from MADD Canada and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO):

• Over 500,000 drivers are currently listed as unlicensed and suspended by the Ministry of Transportation.
• Upwards of 75% of unlicensed drivers in the province, continue to drive (MTO).
• Approximately 2,000 fatal and injury crashes involving unlicensed drivers occur annually.
• One in 14 fatal crashes involves an unlicensed driver.
• Crashes involving an unlicensed driver are more than twice as likely to have a fatal outcome.
• Unlicensed drivers are one and a half times more likely to be at fault in the crash.

“I would like to thank Commisioner Fantino, and the members of the Ontario Provincial Police, for their leadership and support. I applaud Ministry Bradley and his officials, for ensuring that this important piece of legislation was tabled. The support by both Opposition parties was also helpful in ensuring speedy passage. It is wonderful to see all party support for this kind of important road safety initiative,” said McMahon.

“Ultimately, we will all be safer once this law is in force, and I look forward to working with law enforcement and the MTO in putting the regulatory framework in place to see Greg’s Law in force as quickly as possible,” McMahon added.