The Climate Change Plan that the City has been working on was made public today on the city website. There are several documents that make up the report. I have had time to scan just a few of them looking for how the Bike Plan is incorporated. If you want to read in more detail there are links to the documents from the June 18, 2007 agenda of the Parks and Environment Committee. At that meeting there will be deputations from the public on what they think of the plan that has been developed.

The first opportunity to have input on what the plan should incorporate was back on April 29th, 2007 at the Climate Change Action Forum. The report on the results of this consultation, which was included with today's report, indicated that "During the public engagement process, a large number of participants expressed a desire to see the City move quickly on the development of bikeways and make it easier and safer for people to cycle around the City." That input seems to have had an impact as the Potential Action number 7 to 'complete the Bikeway Network by 2012' has been incorporated in the recommendations and has been fleshed out with more details as to what that would entail.

The recommendations pertaining to the Bike Plan are among the recommendations under the section Making More Sustainable Transportation Choices, specifically recommendations 8. b. and 8. c.

8. City Council recognize that approximately one-third of the locally generated greenhouse gases and a significant portion of smog causing pollutants come from the operation of motor vehicles and that over one-half of the comments received during the public engagement process expressed a desire to see a more sustainable transportation system, and that City Council:
   
   2. direct the General Manager of Transportation Services and General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report in 2007 on the actions and resources required to complete the infrastructure elements of the Bike Plan by the end of 2012, in particular expanding the existing network of bike lanes and trails from over 300 kilometres to 1,000 kilometres, with a timetable that establishes annual expansion objectives;
   3. prepare in 2007 a Sustainable Transportation Implementation Strategy, that draws from and is consistent with existing policies and plans (e.g. the Official Plan; the Bike Plan; Transit City Plan; the TTC Ridership Growth Strategy; and the Walking Strategy) to achieve the greenhouse gas emission and smog emission reduction targets by including:
      
      1. the articulation of a long-term vision of a sustainable transportation system which achieves the targeted emission levels while meeting the economic needs of the city;
      2. the identification and prioritization of short-term transportation projects that will accelerate the achievement of the City's sustainable transportation agenda; and
      3. the creation of a Strategic Transportation Planning Group, comprised of the Chief Planner, the General Manager of Transportation Services, the Chief General Manager of the TTC, the President of the Toronto Parking Authority, the Managing Director of GO Transit and the Director of the Toronto Environment Office, to establish priorities and oversee the coordination of the planning, implementation and operation of the City's sustainable transportation system;

Getting the Bike Plan incorporated into the Climate Change Plan is an important step in getting some action on seeing it completed. The report on the resources required and the actions needed will be the basis of a plan to see actual accelleration. The next step will be to put the dollars behind the plan when the 2008 budget gets set and the 5 year budget plan is developed.

If you have comments on this plan you can make deputations to the Committee on Monday June 18th, 2007. You can call the City Clerk's Office 416-392-6662. You could also send in written comments to the clerk of the committee at mcarrol@toronto.ca.

Sunday April 29th, 2007 the City of Toronto hosted a the Climate Change Action Forum which included an Open House. I looked around the open house where the city had displays on various actions (10 Actions you can take) that residents can take to do their part to reduce their green house gas emissions. I realized then that incorporating cycling is not yet high on priority list for the people developing the Climate Change Plan. There were displays on saving water, recycling, taking transit, green roofs and even a hybrid car. The one display that was absent was on cycling. There were no bike maps, no literature on Cycling Safety, no promotion for Bike Week which is coming up in a month, no displays on the Bike Plan, no display board of the Bikeway Network that the Climate Change Plan envisions completing by 2012, and no demonstrations of the Bike Racks on Busses (there was a TTC bus but not one with a Bike Rack mounted on it.). This in spite of the fact that taking your bike was listed as one of the actions people can take now. Fortunately there were people at the event making the point that completing Bike Plan has to be implemented as part of the Climate Change Plan. 'Completing the Bikeway Network by 2012' is one of the proposed actions and should be supported. However the other components of the Bike Plan need to be implemented as well and should be incorporated as Actions to be taken. There is still time for you to add your voice to the calls to increase the focus on cycling as a way to reduce greenhouse gasses from transportation.

Mayor Miller addresses the Toronto Residents assembled to give input on Toronto's Climate change plan. While there was a slide on cycling in his presentation there still needs to be more actions to promote cycling incorporated into the Climate Change Plan.

If you want to add your comments on the proposed Climate change you have until May 31st to fill out the Comment Form

The next opportunity for public input will be on June 18, 2007 when the plan is presented to the Parks and Environment Committee. There residents will be able to make deputations.

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.

The Toronto Environment Alliance (T.E.A.) www.torontoenvironment.org has released its Smog Report Card for 2005 and the City of Toronto was given a score of 4/20 for its efforts in implementing programs to support cyclists and pedestrians. (See media relsease.) That poor showing brought its overall grade down to C-.

"The bike network is the largest and most visible component of the Bike Plan, and it is woefully behind schedule..."

In previous years the Smog Report Card has highlighted understaffing and underfunding as a source of delay. In response the City Staff developed a beefed-up staffing and funding proposal for consideration by council.

Further, a new implementation problem has arisen. While council has approved the Bike Plan as a whole, it is reviewing each segment of the bike plan independently. This is delaying implementation and causing some sections of the proposed network to be eliminated.

You can see the entire report card at the following link: 2005 Toronto SMOG Report Card -PDF.

Whether or not the grade improves next year, 2006, will depend on whether the Mayor and Councillors get behind the proposals to increase the funding and staffing that will go before them in the City budget setting process that will start in November 2005. The Works committee has given the strategy for increasing resources for the bike plan an initial boost by endorsing it at their September 2005 meeting. (See previos article) In addition, at its November 2005 meeting, the Works committee is scheduled to consider an improved bike lane approval process that could overcome the road blocks that have delayed or prevented the construction of bike lane projects in the past.

Unfortunately in Toronto too often with hot sunny weather comes the smog. Today we are under a smog advisory. This morning the air quality was already at a reading of 43. It will rise as the day warms up. A reading of over 50 is considered poor. Smog is potentially harmfull to cyclists and others who exercise out doors. The Board of Health says that bad air quality causes 1,700 deaths per year. The City of Toronto has information as to the Health effects of smog Health and Smog. You can minimize your risk by riding when smog levels are less. That tends to be in the morning and evenings. You can see the actual air quality readings during the day at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's web site: Downtown Toronto Air Quality reading. There you can get the readings for other locations in Ontario and also the readings for the past two days or the whole year. Air Quality History

There are things you can do to reduce the amount of smog. These are listed on the City of Toronto's web page. What can I do at work and at home on Smog Alert/Watch days to reduce smog?

Another thing you can do is ask your local councillors to do something about the air quality in Toronto. A report from the Toronto Board of Health asks the City to implement a Smog Plan by 2006 to do things such as making the streets friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians so they could leave their cars at home. If the decision by the Works Committee on Royal York Road is any indication there is a long way to go before the Council gets on board with the Smog Plan or the Bike Plan. As one councillor said about the Bike Plan, "It is just a plan, it is not meant to be implemented."

The Portlands Energy Centre (PEC) is a Natural Gas fired power plant that is being proposed to be built in the Portlands area. Ontario Power Generation is proposing that it be located next to the old Hearn Generating Plant on Unwin Avenue. This is metres from the water's edge and the Martin Goodman Trail. It could potentially have an impact on the Martin Goodman Trail in the area by increasing car traffic on Unwin and affecting the air quality in the area where thousands of Toronto cyclists exercise. It may also affect the water quality and at Cherry Beach which is currently the beach with the best water quality in Toronto. The stretch of land South of Unwin between Cherry Street and Leslie Street is an oasis for cyclists in the City of Toronto. We should find out what negative effects putting a power plant right in the middle of this area will have. Some local residents want a full 'Individual Environmental Assesment' of this project. There is not much time to make that request.

An 'Environmental Review' has been completed and is posted on the Portland Energy Centre's Website. This is essentially a self assessment. You can download the Notice of Completion(PDF) which explains that the review was completed and there are 30 days for public comment. That public comment period ends on December 15th, 2003. For this type of project the proponents of the project do not have to do an Environmental Assessment unless residents ask for it to be done. ...(more)

TheToronto Environmental Alliance(T.E.A.) is hosting a mayoral candidates debate on environmental issues this Wednesday October 15th at 7:00 - 9:00 pm. The debate will be held at the Great Hall at 1087 Queen Street at Queen and Dovercourt. One of the issues that may come up is the support of the candidates for the Toronto Bike Plan.

T.E.A. has kept a watch on the performance of Toronto City Council on environmental issues including the implementation of The Toronto Bike Plan. The most recent of their activities includes their 6th annual Smog Report Card T.E.A. Smog Report Card 2003(PDF). One of the sections in this report card include a rating on Council's performance on implementing the Toronto Bike Plan. Last year, 2002, they gave Council an 'A'(see previous article). This year the grade was dropped to a 'D'. The reasons are quoted below.

WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DONE IN 2003

The Bikeway Network was modestly expanded in 2002, with 8 km of new bike lanes and 5 km of new and reconstructed trails. The Bikeway Network currently has 50 km of bike lanes and 135 km of trails with 18 km of new bike lanes and 7 km of new and reconstructed trails planned for 2003.

The implementation of the Bike Plan is in jeopardy, however, for the 2003 Bike Plan budget of $1,547,000 is only 53% of the 2002 budget, and far below the $4 to $5 million per year necessary to fully implement the 10 year plan.

T.E.A. is helping out on this score too by pointing out the positions of candidates on some important environmental issues. TEA Releases City Council Candidates' Grades They have compiled the environmental voting records of incumbent councillors. Some of the votes covered in their list include important votes for implementation of the Bike Plan. You can see these here: Voting Records. They have also done a candidate survey. While this survey does not have questions specifically related to the Bike Plan you can get a good idea of the candidates inclination on the issues. TEA candidate survey(PDF)

The debate this Wednesday will include an opportunity for some questions from the audience. If you want to make sure cycling issues get covered you can attend and try to get some questions on cycling issues included.

The temperatures over the last week have brought Air Quality Warnings again. The readings have been over 60 for three days last week. A reading of over 50 is considered poor. Smog is potentially harmfull to cyclists and others who exercise out doors. The City of Toronto has information as to the Health effects of smog Health and Smog. You can minimize your risk by riding when smog levels are less. That tends to be in the morning and evenings. You can see the actual air quality readings during the day at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's web site: Downtown Toronto Air Quality reading. There you can get the readings for other locations in Ontario and also the readings for the past two days or the whole year. Air Quality History

There are things you can do to reduce the amount of smog. These are listed on the City of Toronto's web page. What can I do at work and at home on Smog Alert/Watch days to reduce smog?

An interesting link between cycling and smog is the provinical government's announcement that it will add 4 CAN-BIKE trained cycling officers to it's Smog Patrol to pull over vehicles that are suspected of polluting beyond what is considered acceptable. The rationale is that the bikes can move thru traffic easier. I guess they also are not adding to the smog. For more details on this see the Ministy of the Environment's press release. ONTARIO'S SMOG PATROL TARGETS SMOKING VEHICLES
Martin Koob
tcc-rep@tbn.ca

There is a Smog Advisory for today, Saturday August 11th.

If you want to receive email warnings of smog alerts you can go to the signup web page. You can also check the current conditions at this Ontario Ministry of the Environment web site so you can determine if it is safe to ride or not.

There are spare the air actions that you can take. They are listed here.

The Toronto Environmental Alliance (T.E.A.) issued its 5th Smog Report Card for the City of Toronto yesterday August 7th, 2002. The overall grade was D+ In most areas that T.E.A looked at they gave C's to F's. One of the two A's they gave City Council was for adopting the Toronto Bike Plan and funding its first year of implementation. To quote from the report card.

"In spite of early plans to cut the Bike Plan in half, the City ultimately provided full funding for the first year of this 10 year plan. They will be establishing six new bike lanes, adding 2,000 bike racks, undertaking initial design work for new trails, and negotiating with Toronto Hydro, Hydro One and the rail lines for access to hydro and rail corridors.

For more information about the causes and effects of smog and what the City of Toronto can do about it you can read the report. You can download the report here: Smog Report Card(PDF).

This report will add strength to the arguments in favour of fully funding the Bike Plan as the 2003 budget is now being developed by senior administrative staff and when the Budget goes through the Council process starting in September.

A resercher is doing a study of how poor air quality affects the everyday lives of people. For this study he needs cyclists who commute to work by bike. His study is taking place in Toronto. If you are interested the details, including how to contact him are quoted below. ...(more)

If you are interested in ideas on how to make Toronto less car dependant you might be interested in the Car free forum. The details I have excerpted from the July issue of the e-newsletter of the Public Space Committee

CAR FREE FORUM ~ "for people who breathe"

Wednesday July 17th

Featuring:

Peter Tabuns, Greenpeace
Maogosha Pyjor, Community Bicycle Network
Wayne Scott, Hoof&Cycle Courier Coalition
Olivia Chow, Toronto City Councillor
Daniel Egan, Pedestrian & Cycling Infrastructure
Tooker Gomberg, Greenspiration
Michael Noble, Sierra Club of Canada
Keith Stewart, Toronto Environmental Alliance

Find out what toronto & torontonians are doing to reduce car dependancy in our city so we can all breathe a little easier.

7pm @ The Tranzac Club
292 Brunswick Avenue (South of Bloor) * free
Presented by: Sierra Club Eastern Canada Chapter