With an announcement on March 23rd, 2007 Toronto Mayor, David Miller, kicked off the process to develop an action plan to deal with Climate Change. There he presented a framework document entitled Change is in the Air: Toronto's Commitment to an Environmentally Sustainable Future. He stated “With the release of this framework, we are inviting the citizens of Toronto to get involved in developing and implementing a Climate Change and Clean Air Action Plan as we work to create an urban area that is environmentally sustainable. I know that Torontonians will partner with us and rise to the challenge. They are ready to act.”

This is an opportunity ensure that the city includes immediate action in this plan to have cycling play a significant role in the city's transportation system. The opportunity to get involved in this process and make the case for cycling is approaching. On Sunday April 29th, 2007 the City is hosting a Climate Change Action Forum from 1:00 to 4:30 at Exhibition place. (click on the link for more details).

It is encouraging to note that the framework document contained among its 27 potential actions one that pertained to cycling. Potential Action number 7 was 'complete the Bikeway Network by 2012' as a way to reduce emissions from the burning of gasoline. If this goal was put into place it would complete one component of the Bike Plan only a year later than originally intended. Some people have commented on this action, given Council's current support for funding the Bike Plan, saying that it is unrealistic, a hollow promise. If Council continues on the pace it has been it won't be achievable. However, if Council adopts the pace and funding levels along the lines of the proposal by the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT) TCAT Plan: Build that goal is achievable.

Using figures from the last Bike Plan status report available (Bike Plan Year 3 Status Report - 2004) and adding estimates of the kilometers of cycling infrastructure added in 2005 and 2006, there are roughly 415 km of on-street bike lanes, 166 km of on-street signed bike routes and 123 km of off-street paved trails to be completed left to be completed to build the 1074 km Bikeway Network proposed in the Toronto Bike Plan. TCAT outlined a plan to add 285 km of on-street bike lanes and off-street paths and trails by 2010 which breaks down to 203 km of new bike lanes and 82 km of new paths and trails. That would leave 212 km of bike lanes and 41 km of paths and trails that would need to be completed in the 2011 and 2012. TCAT's plan was based on a principle of ramping up activity by increasing the number of km built each year which is what was proposed in the Toronto Bike Plan - 3 year stratgey. TCAT's proposal just projected that ramping up into years 2009 and 2010. Extending that ramping up of funding and activity into 2011 and 2012 could complete the Bikeway Network by 2012 as proposed in the Climate Change Action Plan. This Proposed Action should be incorporated into the final Climate Change Plan which is due in July 2007 and a 5 year budget plan should be made as the 2008 budget is developed to ensure the resources will be available to do it.

While completing the Bikeway Network is a major part of the Bike Plan it is not the only part. Cycling promotion is needed to encourage people to use their bikes for transportation and cycling education and safety programs are needed to ensure that while increasing the number of cycling trips we are decreasing the number of accidents and injuries. Funding for these programs has not increased since the inception of the Bike Plan in 2001. This is in spite of the fact that the Bike Plan included proposals for new programs in these areas. Proposals from TCAT to increase funding in these areas were turned down when the 2007 budget was being set. However the members of the budget committee referred this issue for inclusion in the Climate Change Plan. I have excerpted that recommendation from the Budget Committee April 4th - Decision Document

Recommendations adopted by the Budget Committee on April 4, 2007.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Budget Committee:

B. requested the following:

v. referred the financial issues related to the following items and the communication (July 4, 2006) from the Policy and Finance Committee, entitled “2006 Draft Clean Air Action Plan - Proposed Action” (BU10.14) to appropriate staff, for inclusion in the City's Climate Change Plan due in July 2007:

a. increased tree protection, maintenance and enhancement;
b. bike plan, specifically for education and safety programs; and
c. other environmental and clean air initiatives;

Implementing the Safety and Education and the Promotion components of the Bike Plan are currently not one of the proposed actions of the Climate Change Plan. During the consultations on this plan Toronto residents will have to support the recommendation of the Budget Committee and ensure that there is a commitment to complete these elements of the Bike Plan as well.

Also missing from the proposed actions are commitments regarding the other three components of the Bike Plan Cycling & Transit, Bicycle Friendly Streets and Bicycle Parking. The Climate change plan should contain clear goals to complete each of these parts of the plan and the 5 year budget should include the resources to support these.

At he April 29th, 2007 Climate Change Action Forum the case has to be made that making it possible for residents to ride their bikes more often and to more places instead of driving will help individuals do their part to reduce their carbon footprint, or carbon tread in this case. It is important to have your voice heard, present the statistics that show how increasing the role of cycling in the transportation system can help achieve the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions as individuals and as a city. If you can't attend the forum there are other ways you can let your opinion be known. You can fill out an Online comment card or Email: changeisintheair@toronto.ca.