Item - 2016.PW11.7

City Council on February 3 and 4, 2016, referred the following Motion MM12.5 to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

"Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, recommends that:

1.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to include options for funding of $20 million per year and $25 million per year within the next Toronto Cycling Network Plan report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee this spring, in addition to other funding options, so that Council can properly consider the resources required for the implementation of a minimum grid by 2018 and the accelerated implementation of the Cycling Network Plan in less than ten years."

Transportation Services is currently developing a ten year cycling network plan for expanding and improving the City’s cycling network.  This plan will guide our investments in cycling infrastructure between 2016-2025.

City Staff have been conducting a detailed analysis of demand, potential demand, population and employment density, coverage, barriers, safety, connectivity and trip generators. They have been consulting over the last few years with tens of thousands of Torontonians and stakeholders through in person drop-in consultations at our Civic Centres and on major trails, online surveys, the City’s Cycling App, and other avenues.

Cycle Toronto, our City’s member-supported cycling advocacy organization, points out that 73 percent of Torontonians say a lack of cycling infrastructure is holding them back from riding more often. In turn, they argue that a grid of protected bike lanes on main streets supported by a network of bicycle lanes and routes on residential roadways will help get more Torontonians to see cycling as a safe option. Cycle Toronto argues that a Minimum Grid of 100 kilometres of protected bike lanes on main streets and 100 kilometres of bicycle lanes on residential streets is the minimum of cycling infrastructure our City needs to get more people cycling. Cycle Toronto has therefore been requesting the City increase its cycling budget to $20 million/year.

A majority of Councillors have endorsed Cycle Toronto’s Minimum Grid campaign. Budget Committee requested a Briefing Note on the capital funding required to build a minimum bicycle grid by 2018. The January 18, 2016 Transportation Services - Capital Funding for Cycling Infrastructure Briefing Note said that “...the approximate cost to implement a minimum grid of this nature is $50-$150 million.”

At the January 18, 2016 Budget Committee we learned from the General Manager of Transportation Services that when City Staff report out to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee this spring on the Cycling Network Plan, they will be presenting City Council with options for funding such as $12 million/year; and $16 million/year which could maintain existing funding or consider accelerating implementation of the cycling network plan. The amount of funding provided each year will impact how quickly we will be able to build our Cycling Network Plan.

If we are to have the opportunity to consider building a minimum grid by 2018 or the Cycling Network Plan in less than ten years, we will need to see annual funding options for Transportation Services that would provide us with the resources to do this. We are therefore requesting that as part of the Cycling Network report to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee this spring, additional funding options be presented for Council’s consideration.