The announcement last week that the Transportation Services (TS) budget had only $2.2 million for the Bike Plan generated many e-mails, letters and deputations in support of restoring funding to the Bike Plan. That popular support translated into political support at the Wednesday November 9, Works Committee meeting. Councillor Adam Giambrone, Ward 18-Davenport, the Vice-Chair of the Works Committee and a Co-Chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee, made two motions to transfer funds, totaling $800,000 from other road projects to the cycling infrastructure budget. The motions were crafted to take the money from projects that were not ready to go ahead in the next year, and, to not increase the overall Transportation Sevices budget. These motions won unanimous support from the members of the Works Committee.

This brings the 2006 TS cycling budget up to $3.0 million, the amount recommended in the 3 Year Implementation Strategy intended to accelerate the Bike Plan. This decision by the Works Committee now goes to the Budget Advisory Committee and the Policy and Finance Committee and from there to City Council for final approval. The $3.0 million could be cut back at any of these stages so supporters of the Bike Plan will have to remain vigilant and keep the pressure on their Councillors, throughout the budget setting process to support this and other Bike Plan budget items.

Yesterday was a victory for the Bike Plan and thanks is due to those who sent e-mails and letters, called their councillors and made deputations at the committee. Thanks is also due to Councillor Giambrone and the members of the Works Committee for giving the Bike Plan this infusion of funding.