From: Nigel.Allen@lambada.oit.unc.edu
Subject: New Ontario government bicycle policy
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: Echo Beach, Toronto
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 23:15:00 GMT

 Press release from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation
 July 23, 1992

 Ontario supports bicycles as a transportation alternative

TORONTO -- Ontario is revising its bicycle policy to support the bicycle
as an integral mode of transportation, and not simply a recreation
vehicle, Transportation Minister Gilles Pouliot announced today.
 
"Our new bicycle policy represents a significant shift in thinking," said
Pouliot. "When the province plans, builds or upgrades our transportation
systems, whether road or transit, the role of the bicycle will be considered."

"To encourage municipal involvement, bicycle lanes, bike paths and other
bicycle facilities will now qualify for funding under the ministry's road
and transit programs," said Pouliot.

Municipalities will now be able to use part of their provincial allocation
for roads and transit to put in facilities for bicycles. Under this new
policy, as much as $3.5 million in ministry funds will be available this
fiscal year to support cycling initiatives. Municipalities will be asked
to consider bicycles in all provincially sponsored transportation planning
studies and to develop comprehensive bicycle network plans.
 
For example, Metropolitan Toronto may use a portion of its municipal
allocations to build a cycle and pedestrian crossing at the Humber River
Gardiner/Lakeshore Boulevard bridges, as identified in the Crombie Report
as part of the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario.
 
In Ottawa, a proposed comprehensive bicycle network plan for
Ottawa-Carleton and paved shoulders on Hunt Club Road and St. Joseph
Boulevard would also be eligible for provincial subsidization under the
new bicycle policy.
 
In Eastern Ontario, resurfacing of the Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33) has
already included paved shoulders for bicycles on an 18-kilometre section
between the communities of Bloomfield and Hillier. Over the long term, a
paved shoulder will be added to most of the Highway 33 tourist corridor
between Kingston and Trenton.
 
In Northern Ontario, the ministry will begin paving the shoulders of
Highway 61 next summer between Thunder Bay and Pigeon River. By 1994, this
popular cycling route from Thunder Bay to the United States border will
have paved shoulders along its entire 53-kilometre length.
 
Bicycle safety was also a major consideration of the bicycle policy
review. In 1990, 29 cyclists died in collisions with motor vehicles and
3,700 were injured. One of the primary safety issues raised was the use of
bicycle helmets.
 
"Bicycle safety through public education will continue to be a priority
for my ministry," said Pouliot. "We encourage cyclists of all ages to wear
bicycle helmets to reduce injuries and fatalities and anticipate that
helmet use will eventually be mandatory."
  - 30 -
 
 Media inquiries please contact:
 Anne McLaughlin
 Communications and Public Education Branch
 Ontario Ministry of Transportation
 1201 Wilson Avenue
 Downsview, Ontario
 Canada M3M 1J8
 Telephone (416) 235-4102 or 1-800-268-0637
 Fax (416) 235-4841
 
 The bicycle policy and a copy of the technical report can be obtained by
contacting the ministry.


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