This Thursday, February 16th, 2006 the Policy and Finance Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee of the City of Toronto will meet for one final review of the 2006 budget. This will be the best opportunity for supporters of the Bike Plan, both Councillors and residents, to push for funding for the cycling safety and education program that the TCC is recommending, the Sidewalk Cycling Counter Measure program.(See previous Article

The program was presented to the Planning and Transportation Committee on January 9th. Their recommendation was that the Budget Advisory Committee consider funding 50% of the cost in 2007 provided the other 50% could be raised from external sources such as other levels of government or private sector partnership. If the Policy and Finance Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee don't change this recommendation and fund the program in 2006 as proposed by the Toronto Cycling Committee it will mean that 2006 is the sixth straight year that there has been no increase in funds for the cycling safety, education and promotion programs.

If you want to add your voice to those calling for more funding for cycling safety and education programs at the February 16th meeting there are a few ways to do it. You can sent an e-mail to the Budget Advisory Committee. You send that to Merle MacDonald, Acting Committee Administrator, at mmacdona(at)toronto.ca(Replace the (at) with the @ symbol in your e-mail program). You can make a deputation at the Joint Policy and Finance and Budget Advisory Committee meeting. Deputations are scheduled to start at 9:30 am. To get on the list call 416-392-7340.

You can also contact the members of the Committee directly and let them know you support funding the cycling programs. This is especially important if your local councillor is one of the committee members. The members of the committees with their contact information is listed below. If you don't know who your councillor is you can find them by entering your address at the following City of Toronto web page: Find your City Council Member

We have received some acknowledgement from the Planning & Transportation Committee that an increase is needed, but they have asked that it be considered for 2007. Now is the time to ask for that funding to be in the 2006 budget.

Martin Koob
tcc-rep@tbn.ca