Cycling Route Research Project
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Transcript of Cycling Route Research Project
Cycling Route Research Project
Summary of FindingsJune 2012
Transportation Policy Branch 2Outline
Roles and Responsibilities Recent MTO Cycling Initiatives Project Background Project Methodology Key Findings
Planning and Design Partnerships Other Considerations
Questions
Transportation Policy Branch 3Roles and Responsibilities
- Provincial highways capital budget
- Provincial highways design & engineering
- Provincial highways operations
- Long-term, strategic planning
- Air, rail, marine and transit policy
- Transit capital budget
- Traffic Law (the HTA)-Road user education
Transportation Policy Branch 4Recent MTO Cycling Initiatives
Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has undertaken several initiatives to support cycling in Ontario:
Transit Supportive Guidelines
(With municipalities) Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 18, Bicycle Facilities
Ontario Bikeways Planning and Design Guidelines
Paved shoulder pilot project on Highway 6
Update of the Driver’s Handbook
Road Safety Community Partnership Program
Transportation Policy Branch 5Project Background
Goals of the project: To collect information on best practices in planning, operating
and marketing cycling routes, primarily for tourism and recreational purposes
To catalogue a selection of major municipal and regional cycling routes in Ontario
Requests for accommodating cycling on provincial roads are increasing, so understanding what is already in place is important
Information gathered could, if mandated or directed, be useful in developing priority areas for accommodating cycling on ministry roads
Transportation Policy Branch 6Project Methodology
Municipal Questionnaire Staff asked about the characteristics of key
cycling routes
Jurisdictional Scan 9 major cycling routes or networks—3 each in
Canada, the United States and Europe
Consultations Tourism industry, trails organizations, road
user groups, the planning profession, cycling retailers and others
Route Selection Criteria Identifying key characteristics to consider
when planning a regional cycling route
Transportation Policy Branch 7Current State
Municipalities reported 8,479 km of priority cycling routes: on- and off-road; existing and planned
Few routes that cross municipal boundaries were reported
The importance of cycle tourism varies widely across the province
Cycling generally is not a primary motivator for travel, rather a secondary activity for visitors
Anecdotal information and some primary data indicate cycle tourist in Ontario are residents of Ontario or bordering US states
Generally young to middle age adults holding white collar jobs with middle to higher incomes
Transportation Policy Branch 8Perceived Barriers
Lack of alternatives to mixed traffic on busy highways in some areas Lack of coordination between route providers, leading to poor or
missing connections between routes Lack of understanding by governments and businesses about the
economic benefits of cycle tourism and how to serve cycle tourists Lack of cycle touring support facilities such as public
washrooms, drinking water, cycle-friendly businesses Insufficient signage on existing cycling routes Lack of maps, online trip planning tools and other promotion for
cyclists Limited opportunities to transport bicycles on trains and buses Difficulty crossing over Canada/US border with bicycles
Transportation Policy Branch 9Key Findings
Planning Most important criteria when planning a cycling route:
Attractiveness (e.g. lakes and rivers) Safety
Connection to town centres and mobility hubs important Option to bypass town centres also important
Security of route (e.g. cell phone service, emergency access) Continuity of route
Design Off-road facilities essential for attracting diverse users Consistent design and maintenance is desirable
Transportation Policy Branch 10Key Findings
Partnerships Beneficial for planning to be coordinated by a single organization
Capital funding from all levels of government identified as a key factor essential to the success of a major cycling network
Capital expenditures typically shared between senior-level and local governments in most jurisdictions with major cycling networks
Broad willingness on the part of stakeholders to participate in marketing a provincial cycling network
Support for adding a provincial brand to existing routes, but not for replacing the existing brands with a provincial one
Transportation Policy Branch 11Key Findings
Other Considerations Potential for conflicts between bicycles, ATVs and horses and buggies
in some areas More information needed about best practises in bike route
maintenance More information needed about protection against liability
Transportation Policy Branch 12
Questions?