Share The Road Cycling Coalition Building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario Toronto Bike Summit May 28th, 2009

A tragic beginning Greg Stobbart ( )

The impetus for change… Dougan case: charged and convicted of Careless Driving (Part 3) Sentenced 2007: two years probation; one year license suspension 100 hours community service 10 year history: 5 convictions, drive under suspension; 2 convictions drive no insurance $14,000 in unpaid fines Two months later: charged and convicted with follow to close; vehicle towed from the scene. Appealed; New trial granted December 2008

Our response Legislative reform – better laws=safer roads Bicycling advocacy Active since 2006 Environmental scan Best practice research in: – cycling advocacy – Infrastructure – legislative frameworks – education and awareness – conducted in Canada, U.S., and Europe

Cycling Advocacy in Ontario: History Cycling planning conference November attendees – planners, advocates. Strategic Planning Group: – 5 members to approach Cycle Ontario Alliance (COA) – Build on 2007 Conference. – What should a provincial cycling advocacy organization look like?

Cycling Advocacy in Ontario: History Elected COA Board Chair April 2008 COA insolvent; outstanding financial obligations Ceased operations in June How do we build on its success and leverage its contributions and the institutional memory? Officially launched Share the Road Cycling Coalition September to build on the work of COAwww.sharetheroad.ca

7 Mission To make Ontario bicycle friendly for everyone by: – Enhancing access for bicyclists on roads and trails – Improving safety for all bicyclists – Educating citizens on the value and importance of safe bicycling for healthy lifestyles and communities. The Share the Road Cycling Coalition will represent all cyclists - children, tourists, commuters, recreational riders, mountain bikers and racers.

8 Vision “To make Ontario the most bicycle friendly place in the world.”

9 Values The Share The Road Cycling Coalition will work in partnership with other non-profit organizations, the business community and local, provincial and federal governments. The organization will be grassroots, membership driven and accountable. The Coalition will unite cycling advocates, clubs, and stakeholders committed to advancing bicycling and in support of a Bicycle Friendly Ontario.

Operating Plan 2008/ areas:

Strategic Priorities: Outreach Outreach: – cyclists, advocates – funders – municipalities, planners, engineers – conferences: National Bike Summit (Washington); Velo City (Brussels); Challenge/Opportunity: – Need for capacity building – Need to share strengths; connect cyclists, clubs – Best practices – legislation; role of governments; education, awareness – Better understanding of issues; gaps; solutions

Strategic Priorities: Government Relations Government Relations: – Establish partnerships, explore roles: Provincial, Municipal/Regional; Federal – Key focus; province, municipal level – Provincial departments: Health and Health Promotion Environment Transportation Energy and Infrastructure Tourism Community Safety and Correctional Services Education :

Strategic Priorities: Government Relations Government Relations: Premier’s Office, NDP, PC – Leaders, Caucus Critics MTO officials, Minister Bradley’s office Agencies (Metrolinx) Initiatives: Shape role for Provincial government (Quebec/B.C.) Develop Provincial Cycling Plan/ Policy Framework Institutional reform – engage common stakeholders (municipalities) Appointment of senior MTO official

Strategic Priorities: Government Relations Initiatives: Develop cycling tourism initiatives -- economic development initiatives Establish Provincial Cycling Advisory Committee. (MTO, municipalities; law enforcement, engineers, planners, cycling advocates; IBC). Dispute mitigation; innovation. Safe Routes to School Question on “Driver’s Exam” Safety, awareness programs

Strategic Priorities: Government Relations Provincial legislation: Bill 126 “Greg’s Law” 3’ passing law – HTA amendment Challenges/Opportunities: Lack of “know-how”, direction Financial/fiscal pressures/jurisdictional issues Create champions - bike Caucus OBR pilot Provide advice; create the policy framework, role for government i.e. funding? Priorities? Build the case

The Role for Government “I don't think the League of American Bicyclists knew what to expect when they invited me to their summit. … I hope they were pleasantly surprised because I am committed to investing in programs that encourage bikes to coexist with other modes and to safely share our roads and bridges. And there’s strong support in Congress for these goals as well. In the Department of Transportation, bicyclists have a full partner in working toward livable communities.” (U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood)

The Role for Government “Increasing the number of cyclists, making cycling a preferred mode of transport is consistent with cities across the globe that are modern, developed and advanced. Bicycle use is a visible indicator of a modern, diverse city – uniting all age groups and backgrounds. In Seville we have made a philosophical, political choice that cycling is important. We are fundamentally changing our city to one that is focused on people. We need this to guarantee our city’s sustainability, to put to an end the negative effects of climate change. In broader terms cycling must be on the political agenda. We must be ambitious – there is no turning back….” ( Antonio Rodriguo Torrijo – Deputy Mayor Seville, Signing the Charter of Brussels, Velo City Conference)

Strategic Priorities: Partnership Development Partnership Development : – Private sector – Industry – Funders – Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade: (community based, respected) – “Bicycle Friendly Business” award program – Active/Sustainable Transportation stakeholders – Universities – Research organizations -- 3 rd party support

Strategic Priorities: Partnership Development Partnership Development: – Association of Municipalities of Ontario – Bicycle Friendly Community initiative – AMO partnership – Task Force on Active Transportation Challenges/Opportunities: – Partners? Have common interests/concerns; networks, resources – Broaden the scope/discussion – Resources – Co-Branding

Strategic Priorities: Organizational Development Organizational Development: – Board appointments – Incorporation – Resource Development – Staff – Member value proposition

Strategic Priorities: Organizational Development Challenges/Opportunities: – Financial sustainability – Strategic planning – focus resources – Leverage complimentary skills – Staff -- avoid “not for profit” burnout – Members – strengthen political clout; representation

Strategic Priorities: Ontario Bike Summit September nd Waterloo, Ontario Objectives: – 1.5 days: workshops, sessions – Best practice sharing amongst municipalities – Build capacity in the bicycling advocacy movement – Shape the cycling legislative, infrastructure agenda provincially – be inspired by examples/jurisdictions – Survey: barriers, opportunities, role for provincial government – Inspire, inform attendees with speakers from Canada and internationally

Strategic Priorities: Ontario Bike Summit Objectives: – Create a platform for discussion/debate – Networking: officials, politicians – lower the barriers, enhance awareness – Attendees: officials (all 3 levels of government); advocates, industry, private sector, law enforcement – Political leadership – 3 parties Challenges/Opportunities: – Strengthen cycling advocacy network – Forum for incubation, innovation – Hear from the provincial party leaders – Set priorities for provincial government

Strategic Priorities: Data/Research Data Research: – Develop data collection mechanisms -research is critical. – There is a thirst for data amongst municipal planners, officials, cycling advocates – We need more data on who is cycling, why and where – critical to measuring the problem, closing gaps, developing solutions. – Data on cost benefit analysis, economic benefit, enhanced health benefits research to demonstrate benefits of cycling including lower health care and insurance costs.

Strategic Priorities: Data/Research Growing recognition that cycling contributes to tackling: Obesity Traffic congestion Climate change Improving quality of life Creating wealth through tourism and leisure Rising transport prices

Strategic Priorities: Data/Research Economic benefits of cycling not fully understood Systematic Under-investment Cycling not viewed as a mainstream mode of transport As pointed out by Cycling England:

Strategic Priorities: Data/Research Translating benefits into hard numbers Measurable benefits of cycling: – Improvements in general health and fitness – Cutting pollution and CO2 emissions – Contribution to easing congestion Desired outcome build confidence in planning for cycling investment increase cycling’s influence in the planning process strengthen the political will to deliver successful cycling projects

Final Thoughts… Current environment: “Buzz” about bicycling Challenge: overtaken by overheated, politically charged rhetoric Our task: change the channel, re-shape the debate – Evidenced based, rational discourse – Economic, health benefits research – credible 3rd party; compelling investment case – Popular culture – cycling its fun; its cheap; its easy and fast – its cool and hip Governments jump on bandwagons – they don’t create them It’s up to us -- working together is critical Unity of purpose, clarity of message Believe in the power and the possibility of positive change

Final Thoughts… “ Politicians think about the next election; Leaders think about the next generation.”

Thank you… We look forward to working with you in Building A Bicycle Friendly Ontario.