The proposed terms of reference for the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee came up for debate at the Planning and Growth Management committee on Thursday, May 31, 2007. There were two in person deputations and many written deputations submitted on the issue. After the deputations Councillor Adam Vaughan led a discussion with Councillor Adrian Heaps and the Chair of the Committee Councillor Brian Ashton as to how the concerns expressed by residents through the letters and presentations could be addressed. In the end Councillor Vaughan proposed an motion that would allow an opportunity for consultation on some key areas of concern prior to the Terms of Reference going for final approval at the June 19, 2007 Council meeting. The motion asked for a report on three issues, which are listed below, to go directly to council with this item when it comes up for debate on June 19th. This opens up the opportunity for amendments to be made on the floor of council based on the consultations looking at the three issues. The three issues to be dealt with in the report are.

1. The Cycling Advisory Committee having more frequent meetings, (more frequent than 4 but not to exceed 10 per year, Councillor Vaughan suggested 6.)
2. The Cycling Advisory Committee being consulted directly by the Budget Committee during the budget process. (Councillor Vaughan used the example of how the library board is directly consulted in the budget process.)
3. That the Cycling Advisory Committee explore a smaller membership than the 22 members (specified in the previous terms of reference) that was blended to include both geographic representation and representatives of organizations.

The amendment was passed along with the terms of reference originally proposed. These will go on to the next City Council Meeting on June 19th. This does not delay the approval of the terms of reference since those would have been approved at the same June 19th meeting. This motion does not guarantee that there will be amendments to the Terms of Reference. What it does do is allow for time for some consultation with the community to determine what the contents of the report on the three issues should be and whether amendments should be made.

I was impressed with the work of Councillor Vaughan, the Committee Chair, Councillor Ashton and Councillor Heaps during the meeting to try and provide an opportunity to respond to the concerns expressed by Toronto residents on this issue and still get the Terms of Reference approved in June so the committee can get up and running as soon as possible. This is a chance to ensure that the Cycling Advisory Committee is truly representative and can effectively consult with Torontonians and advise Council in the planned accelerated phase of the implementation of the Toronto Bike Plan.

Martin Koob
info@biketoronto.ca