Agenda
2010 Ontario Bike Summit – “Building Bicycle Friendly Communities”
“Conference at a Glance” - Revised September 17, 2010
Monday, September 20th
Location: Summit host hotel, the Holiday Inn
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Conference Registration and Information Desk open
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast (Halton Hall)
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibits open
8:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Opening Plenary Session (Halton Hall)
Official welcome: Eleanor McMahon, CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition
Councilor Jack Dennison, City of Burlington, Burlington Cycling Committee Member
His Worship Mayor Cam Jackson, Mayor City of Burlington
Chair of Halton Region, Gary Carr
Joyce Savoline, Member of Provincial Parliament Burlington
Leslie Woo, Vice President Policy and Planning, Metrolinx
OPENING PLENARY KEYNOTE: 8:25 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
PORTLAND, OREGON MAYOR SAM ADAMS
“PORTLAND'S NEW ECONOMY OF BIKES, TRAINS, & (EV) AUTOMOBILES -- THE ECONOMIC DIVIDEND OF GOOD TRANSPORTATION PLANNING”
Portland, Oregon views itself as living laboratory for planning and transportation, with bicycle ridership steadily on the rise and carbon emissions on the decline. As a result, Portland has developed a world-class reputation as an incubator for innovation and the clean energy economy, attracting major investments from international companies and the federal government.
Mayor Sam Adams will speak about Portland's successes and how municipal regions can capitalize on green transportation and planning, including:
· Multi-modal transportation as an economic driver.
· Bicycle planning in the context of climate action and economic development strategies.
· The 20-minute neighborhood -- out of cars and into our communities.
PLENARY: SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
THE HONORABLE KATHLEEN WYNNE, ONTARIO TRANSPORTATION MINISTER
“BUILDING A BICYCLE FRIENDLY ONTARIO”
The Minister will take questions following her speech.
BREAK 10:00 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
PLENARY SESSION: 10:15 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
THE BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY AND THE SEARCH FOR PLATINUM: HOW DO WE REPLICATE PORTLAND’S SUCCESS?
How Bicycle Friendly is your community? Building a bicycle friendly culture is a combination of a number of critical variables. The 5 “Es” (Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning) are the five categories in which applicant communities are judged.
The BFC program was launched recently in Ontario by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists. This plenary will share lessons learned and outline the how-to’s and the benefits of the program’s application and the designation. In 2010 the League designated Portland as a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community joining the ranks of Davis, California. What are the lessons learned on the road to Platinum? Learn the secrets to building a bicycle friendly community from these two informative speakers.
MODERATOR:
SCOTT NEVIN, SENIOR POLICY PLANNER, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF WATERLOO, MEMBER PROVINCIAL ADVISORY PANEL, BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
SPEAKERS:
CATHERINE CIARLO, TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MAYOR SAM ADAMS, PORTLAND OREGON
BILL NESPER, DIRECTOR, BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PROGRAM
11:45 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
LUNCHEON OPENING SPEAKER:
ANITA CAIRNS, STORE MANAGER, MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP BURLINGTON
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MARIE LEMAY, CEO NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION - “A NEW VISION FOR CYCLING IN CANADA’S CAPITAL REGION”
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: VELO CITY 2011 SEVILLE, SPAIN – GIL PENALOSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 8-80 CITIES.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Ø Encouraging Modal Shift – Tools to Enhance Cycling (La Salle Room)
Modifications to transit and intersection design and community-based programs that increase motorist and cyclist awareness about the importance of sharing the road are three examples of initiatives that encourage modal shift by making cycling safer, easier, and more convenient.
This panel will provide an overview of examples of effective design, transit modifications and community-based education: the use of “Crossrides” - ride-through bike lanes that allow cyclists on a bike path to cross the roadway at an intersection without the requirement to dismount the bicycle – on the Queensway Trail in Mississauga; the development and successful implementation of the dedicated bike coaches on the Niagara GO train service and Haliburton County’s Share the Road Campaign.
PANELISTS:
Trevor Anderson, Transportation Planner, GO Transit Planning Unit, Metrolinx
Jacqueline Hunter, Traffic Operations Technician, City of Mississauga
Sue Shikaze, Health Promoter, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit
Ø CYCLING SAFETY: HOW IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE WAY-FINDING AND ROAD MARKINGS (Glenwood Room)
Effective design is particularly important for on-road and multi-use path facilities. Panelists will provide examples of effective designs currently in use in these environments where bicycles are sharing the road -- or the pathway -- with vehicles and or pedestrians.
PANELISTS:
Dan Ozimkovic and Vito Tolone form the City of Burlington Engineering Department will provide an overview of the hydro corridor design elements which have recently been incorporated to increase the safety and usability of corridor, part of the city’s bikeway network.
Mark Petch, Sales and Support Manager, Central and Eastern Canada, Flint Trading. Established in 1987 and headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina, Flint Trading manufactures and supplies preformed thermoplastic pavement markings and has implemented bike lane markings and coatings to increase awareness for all road users, in North America and Europe.
Amy Ibrahim, Ministry of Transportation Ontario and Maurice Masliah, Ph.D., Senior Researcher HDR iTrans. As the MTO looks to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians an analysis of twenty years collision data from interchanges in Ontario was undertaken by the Ministry. The results of that study – including possible causes -- will be shared.
Ø GETTING IT RIGHT: BEST-IN-CLASS PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR CYCLISTS (Pearson Room)
Effective cycling infrastructure implementation begins with best-in-class planning and design. To assist municipalities and facilitate this process, Vélo Québec has developed a key tool: the Technical Handbook of Bikeway Design -- an indispensable tool for those who are called upon to plan, develop or maintain routes and facilities used for the purpose of active transportation. This workshop will provide an overview of this key tool and will provide tangible examples of effective end-trip facilities for cyclists such as bike-parking and showers.
PANELISTS:
Pierre Barrieau is a Public Transportation and Program Evaluation Consultant, Gris-Orange Consultants (Montreal) and has produced over six case studies on public and active transportation and and two practitioners guides on developing bike infrastructure for several government departments including Transport Canada.
Marc Jolicoeur is Velo Quebec Association’s Director of Research and the Lead Author of Velo Quebec’s Guide: Planning and Design for Pedestrians and Cyclists.
Ø SHARING THE ROAD IN ONTARIO: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Harvester Hall North)
Sharing the Road can sometimes be a complex equation. This panel will explore some of the myths related to the rights and responsibilities of bicycles as vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act and will provide factual information for cyclists, planners, engineers and officials in communities across Ontario.
For cyclists who have been frightened or concerned about motorist behavior a representative from Road Watch Canada – a community based education and awareness program that provides a mechanism for citizens to report unsafe driving – will explain how cyclists can utilize the Road Watch Program to report irresponsible or aggressive driving.
PANELISTS:
A/Inspector Chris Whaley, Ontario Provincial Police
Dave Rutherford, Vice-Chair, Road Watch Canada
Ø EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO BUILDING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES (Harvester Hall South)
Whether you are working as a volunteer, in a not for profit organization or in government, creating a Bicycle Friendly Communities involves building effective partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations who share our common objectives of livability and safe, healthy and active communities. Speakers from the Heart and Stroke Foundation (Ontario), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Parks and Recreation Ontario will provide practical examples of how to build effective coalitions to leverage resources and ensure success.
PANELISTS:
Sharon Brodovsky, Senior Manager of Spark Together for Healthy Kids, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Larry Ketcheson, Chief Executive Officer, Parks and RecreationOntario
Mary Lour Tanner, Manager of Strategic and Environmental Planning, City of Hamilton, President Elect, Ontario Professional Planners Institute
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. BREAK
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. PLENARY: ONTARIO POLITICAL PANEL
With a provincial election next fall and further to the publication of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition’s Green Paper on Bicycling in Ontario (When Ontario Bikes Ontario Benefits, March 2010) MPP and Conservative Party Critic for Transportation and Infrastructure representatives from will provide delegates with their vision for a Bicycle Friendly Ontario followed by a question and answer session from conference attendees. Summit delegates will have an opportunity to hear from and question NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo during Tuesday’s session.
SPEAKERS: The Hon. Frank Klees, MPP, Official Opposition Critic (Transportation and Infrastructure)
Mike Schreiner, Leader Ontario Green Party
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. BREAK
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 4:30 P.M. – 5:45 P.M.
Ø GETTING IT RIGHT: EFFECTIVE CYCLING MASTER PLANNING IN ONTARIO (Harvester Hall South)
An effective Cycling or Active Transportation Master Plan is a must for any bicycle friendly community. This panel will provide excellent examples of plans which offer innovative ideas and solutions for cycling, including ideas on successful funding and public consultation approaches.
PANELISTS:
Daryl Bender – “Shifting Gears 2009: The City of Hamilton’s Cycling Master Plan”. Daryl is the Project Manager, Alternative Transportation, Traffic Engineering Section, Public Works, City of Hamilton
Richard Roberts –Project Coordinator, Planning Department, City of Mississauga
Andre Riopel – Sault Ste. Marie Cycling Club and cycling retailer, owner Velorution bicycle shop. Andre’s presentation will focus on the genesis of the HUB Trail in Sault Ste. Marie a 20 km, multi-use non-motorized trail encircling the city.
Ø BRINGING “COMPLETE STREETS” TO ONTARIO (Harvester Hall North)
All across North American, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone. In the United States the “Complete Streets” movement has taken hold and includes working to institute policy changes in Washington and at the State levels through the introduction of Complete Streets legislation. Instituting a Complete Streetspolicy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
Can this approach work in Ontario? Panelists will provide an overview of the benefits of a Complete Streets approach in terms of advancing safety and livability. The panel will include an example of how the City of Waterloo – currently in the process of updating its Official Plan – has included a Complete Streets approach in its draft OP as the preferred way to develop their city.
PANELISTS:
Chris Hodgson, Project Manager Capital Projects and Services, City of Waterloo
Nancy Smith Lea, Director Toronto Coalition on Active Transportation
Ø EFFECTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS – A KEY ELEMENT TO ENCOURAGING CYCLING (Glenwood Room)
Research consistently points to the need for increased education and awareness initiatives for both motorists and cyclists. The CAN-Bike program has been existence in Canada for many years now and is in use in communities across the country.
A Task Force in Ontario, led by the Ontario Cycling Association in partnership with key community and provincial stakeholders including the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, is looking at updating CAN-Bike and is exploring issues such as how CAN-Bike can be improved from its marketing and delivery, to exploring mechanism for sustainable funding.
This workshop will provide you with an update on the current discussions and seek your input on approaches. It will also provide a case study of how the Town of Markham, working with its Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and in partnership with the York Regional Police, has designed and implemented innovative cycling education for children that includes recruiting high school students to become CAN-Bike instructors.
PANELISTS:
Colleen Cooper, Public Health Nurse, Region of Waterloo Public Health, Member CAN-Bike Task Force
Lorenzo Mele, Coordinator, Transportation Demand Management, Town of Markham, Member CAN-Bike Task Force
Ø BEST PRACTICES IN ONTARIO: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ENCOURAGING CYCLING (La Salle Room)
Municipalities across Ontario are developing policies, programs and initiatives to encourage their citizens to adopt cycling as a mode of transportation and recreation. They are also using technology as part of this process, to study and measure behavior and mode choice.
This session will outline excellent examples and best practices from the Regions of Niagara and Waterloo. It will include results of a study in Waterloo Region which used GPS units to collect origins, destinations, speeds and routes for cyclists as well as an on-line survey of the cyclists to understand their demographics: household composition, income and auto ownership.
PANELISTS:
Ken Forgeron, Manager of Policy Alignment, Niagara Region Integrated Community Planning Department
John D. Hill, Principal Planner, Transportation Demand Management, Waterloo Region
Ø PUBLIC BIKE SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA: TORONTO’S PUBLIC BIKE SHARE PROJECT (Pearson Room)
The City of Toronto recently announced that it will join major cities on three continents – Minneapolis, Washington D.C., London, Melbourne and Montreal – that have adopted the BIXI, bike sharing system. Since the program was launched in Montreal in 2009, it has grown to 20,000 subscribers. The program will be officially launched in Toronto in spring 2011. This session will provide valuable insights into the launch of the program in Toronto as well as the overall benefits of bike sharing projects.
PANELISTS:
Sean Weldrake, Project Lead, Cycling Infrastructure and Programs Unit, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
Erica Duque, BIXI Toronto Team Member
Ø MOBILE WORKSHOP: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. -FULL
BICYCLE TOUR OF BURLINGTON
Led by City of Burlington staff, the tour by bike will showcase cycling and design innovations in the City of Burlington. Workshop leaves from the Holiday Inn.
Ø BUS TRANSPORTATION TO ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS: 6:30 p.m.
Buses, provided by the City of Burlington will begin to leave at 6:30 p.m. from the Holiday Inn and return from the RBG beginning at 10:00 p.m.
Ø “CELEBRATION OF CYCLING EVENING”, ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS: 7:00 p.m.– 10:00 p.m.
Join us for an evening of great food and fun at the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens. Cash bar.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Ø BICYCLING WITH HEART AWARD. 7:30 P.M.
Sponsored by the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada in partnership with the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, this award will be presented to a bicycling retailer for contributions to their community, and honors the countless acts of community building which retailers engage in every day in Ontario
Ø “ADVENTURES IN CYCLING – TALES FROM TORONTO”
8:00 P.M.
Toronto Star reporter Catherine Porter recently chronicled the trials, tribulations and joys of bicycling in Toronto in a series of articles in The Star. An avid cyclist, Catherine will share her stories and her experiences, with us.
Ø “CELEBRATE CYCLING, CELEBRATE ONTARIO” 8:30 P.M.
Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director, Waterfront Trail and Justin Lafontaine, Founder, Bike Train Initiative
Marlaine and Justin have assembled some beautiful photographs and visuals as part of their presentation on cycling tourism in Ontario. Thanks to the generosity of Transportation Options and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust there will be an exciting door prize draw for The Bicycle Tourism Grand Prize: A 2011 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure registration and a VIA/Bike Train travel for two voucher - total value $1,000!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
8:00 a.m. Conference Registration and Information Desk open
8:00 a.m. – 1:00p.m. Exhibits open
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (Ballroom)
PLENARY SESSION: 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
THE BICYCLE AS A SOLUTION: “HOW COMMUNITIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE EMBRACING BICYCLING AS A MAINSTREAM MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND RECREATION “
SPEAKER: JEFF OLSON, PRINCIPAL (EAST COAST) ALTA PLANNING AND DESIGN (PORTLAND, OREGON)
MODERATOR: DAVE MCLAUGHLIN, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, ASSOCIATE PARTNER. MMM GROUP
In this informative and interactive session, Jeff will lead us in an overview of innovative design and planning initiatives across the globe at the same time as he will engage us in a discussion of some of the issues confronting us in communities across Ontario and as a consequence, some of the possible solutions. Come prepared to ask about any challenges you are having in your community and add to the discussion!
Alta Planning + Design is one of the largest planning and design firms in the United States and focuses primarily on transit and active transportation initiatives. Their goal is to “transform communities with one trip, one step, one street, park, trail, and intersection at a time”.
Jeff Olson is an architect and planner who has been involved in greenways, open space, active living and alternative transportation projects for more than 20 years. He has had a diverse career with experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. His unique vision and leadership ability are important assets to projects ranging from regional planning to site specific projects and programs.
From 1998-2001, Jeff served as Director of Millennium Trails, an award winning initiative to create a national network of trails as part of America's legacy for the year 2000. From 1993-98, he served as the New York State DOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager and supported the development of the 1,000 mile state bike route system, the 350 mile New York City Greenways system, the Erie Canal Trail and the Hudson Valley Greenway. He teaches America’s first University Course in bicycle and pedestrian planning, and is Co-Director of the SUNYA Initiative for Healthy Infrastructure, which creates model plans connecting public work with public health.
PLENARY SESSION: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
CYCLING ADVOCACY IN ONTARIO – THE ACTIVE COMMUNITY PLEDGE
Speakers: David Kraft, Partner Stratcom Research and Eleanor McMahon, CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition
The Share the Road Cycling Coalition has developed the Active Community Pledge as a tool to ensure that cycling and active transportation are part of the agenda for the 2010 Municipal Campaign. Copies of the Pledge will be sent to community advocates across Ontario so that they can engage local candidates and the media in the discussion of the importance of building an active community. Candidates will be asked to sign The Active Community Pledge and the Coalition will be keeping an ongoing record on at www.sharetheroad.ca of all who have agreed to do so.
This session will provide an overview of how tools like the Active Community Pledge can be used by cycling advocates to build community partnerships, and engage politicians and other stakeholders at a local level in the interest of building Bicycle Friendly Communities.
PLENARY SESSION: 10:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
CHERI DINOVO, MPP, NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) TRANSIT CRITIC
Ms. DiNovo, will provide opening remarks and take questions from Summit delegates about the NDP’s vision for a Bicycle Friendly Ontario. In particular delegates will have the opportunity to explore next steps regarding Ms. DiNovo’s Private Member’s Bill – the One Metre Safe Passing Law tabled in the Ontario legislature in May.
BREAK: 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
PLENARY SESSION: 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Options for Building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario: What Role Should Our Provincial Government Play in Advancing Cycling For Commuting and Recreational Purposes?
Moderator: Eleanor McMahon, Founder and CEO Share the Road Cycling Coalition
Panelists: Linda McAusland, Director Transportation Policy Branch, who will be presenting, and a panel of representatives from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation
In March 2010, the Share the Road Cycling Coalition released “The Green Paper on Bicycling in Ontario: When Ontario Bikes, Ontario Benefits”. This policy document was developed as a mechanism for advancing cycling in Ontario by providing an evidence-based tool – a roadmap for cycling improvements -- to stakeholders in Ontario.
A significant impetus for the Green Paper was the need for the Ontario government to become more engaged and play a more significant role in cycling policy and development in Ontario. Providing Municipalities and Regions the tools they need to increase their livability by becoming bicycle friendly remains a key component of any policy development in Ontario.
As officials in the Ministry of Transportation navigate the opportunities and challenges relative to building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario, they are examining policy option and our seeking input. This session will explore these options for provincial involvement and will be led by Ministry staff.
You will be engaged in a discussion of some of the issues facing your community, and we will discuss how the provincial government can, through policy, legislative changes and infrastructure investments play an enhanced role in creating a Bicycle Friendly Ontario by providing municipalities and regions with the tools they need to create livable, active and healthy communities through bicycling.
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LUNCHEON OPENING SPEAKER: John Taylor, Regional Councilor (Town of Newmarket)
“eBikes in Ontario: Sharing the Road, Sharing the Future”
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON SPEAKER: J-F Courville, President and Chief Executive Office, MFC Global Investment Management.
“Why Investing in Cycling is in the Public Interest”
J-F Courville is President and Chief Executive Officer of MFC Global Investment Management the asset management division of the Manulife Financial Corporation. J-F is responsible for growing MFC Global Investment Management's institutional and sub-advisory investment management businesses in North America, Europe and Asia. He is also a member of Manulife's Management Committee.
He serves as advisor or director for several non-profit organizations such as The Power Plant Art Gallery, and the Advisory Board of the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. He is Chairman of the Board of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. In 2006, Mr. Courville was named to the list of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
In addition to his philanthropic endeavors as a contributor to community causes, J-F is also an avid cyclist. In this luncheon keynote, this leader in the financial services industry will outline the importance of investing in infrastructure and programs to promote and encourage cycling in Ontario.
CLOSING KEYNOTE: 2:15 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.
MARCUS GEE, COLUMNIST, THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Globe and Mail Toronto Columnist and cyclist Marcus Gee will share his observations about the current cycling debates in Toronto, particularly as they relate to the civic election in Canada’s largest city.
SUMMIT WRAP-UP: 2:45p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ELEANOR MCMAHON, CEO SHARE THE ROAD CYCLING COALITION
CLOSING RECEPTION. 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Please join us for light refreshments as the networking and informal discussion continues! One complimentary drink per person.
