Who we are
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 developing public policy at the provincial level in order to provide the kind of legislative, programmatic and funding instruments such as exist in other Canadian provinces notably Quebec and British Columbia.
With cycling a burgeoning mode of transportation across the globe, and communities looking to enhance the health and well being of their citizens, the Coalition is developing partnerships with like-minded stakeholders across Ontario and has focused on developing partnerships geared to building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario. The organization began in memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, the husband of our Founder, Eleanor McMahon, killed in a cycling tragedy in June 2006. An environmental scan and significant best practice research were conducted as part of the business case and organizational development plan which preceded the Coalition’s official launch in 2008.
Since its inception, the Coalition has focused on outreach work with a view to building partnerships with active transportation stakeholders notably: cycling advocates, local cycling clubs, organizations and municipal advisory groups, municipal leaders and officials, law enforcement, planners, provincial politicians and officials, public health professionals, and funders. By uniting Ontarians who share a common set of objectives we are committed to leveraging the resources of those who have those common interests, with the objective of making Ontario the most bicycle friendly jurisdiction in the world.
Our vision for a bicycle friendly Ontario includes building a framework of grassroots representation which will not only serve to build capacity within the active transportation community across Ontario, it will create the kind of representative strength that can only serve to make us an effective partner, a strong ally and a political force.
But the core of our strength comes from people. It starts with a dynamic vision fuelled by our outreach work and based on input and research we have sought from stakeholders in Ontario, Canada, the United States and across the globe. It is shaped by a dedicated group of volunteers – our Board of Directors – who represent a variety of disciplines, strengths and vantage points. It is delivered in partnership with our generous partners and funders who support our work – and for that, and for them, we are enormously grateful.
Last but not least, we could not do it without you, our supporters and followers who keep us on our toes and serve to make sure that we remain relevant. In the coming months we will be turning to you to seek your financial support and your passion as we build a focused, vibrant membership organization. Stay tuned – and as always, we welcome your input.
We look forward to working with you in the interests of building a bicycle friendly Ontario!