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Guelph Community for Active Transportation (GCAT)

Urgent Municipal and Provincial Engagement: Your Voice Matters!

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Andrea Bidgood

We have two urgent updates that need your attention to protect and advance active transportation in our community and province. Both Ontario’s proposed Bill 212 and Guelph’s upcoming budget are crucial to securing safer streets and more bike-friendly infrastructure. Below are the details for both, including how you can make a difference.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE SUMMARY

Ontario’s Bill 212: The Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024

Guelph’s 2024-2027 Budget

1. Ontario’s Bill 212: The Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024

Ontario’s Bill 212 proposes major changes that could significantly impact the development and expansion of bike lanes across the province. While the Bill 212’s primary focus is to speed up the construction of highways and broadband infrastructure, it includes provisions that could make it harder for municipalities to add or improve bike lanes, particularly in areas where they might reduce car lanes.

Bill 212 – Impact on Bike Lanes:

What is Bill 212? Bill 212 is a proposed law by the Ontario government which is focused on speeding up highway construction and broadband development. However, it introduces changes that could impact bike lane projects, particularly in cities like Toronto.

What changes does Bill 212 propose for bike lanes?

  • Removal of Existing Bike Lanes: The bill proposes that certain bike lanes, like those on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue in Toronto, may be removed to make way for more motor vehicle lanes.
  • Review Process for Existing Bike Lanes: The Ontario Ministry of Transportation may review existing bike lanes across Ontario and could require their removal or adjustment if they reduce lanes for motor vehicles.
  • New Bike Lanes: Municipalities may need Ministry approval to add new bike lanes, especially if it reduces the number of lanes for cars. The Ministry will consider traffic flow and other data in its decision.

How could this affect my community?

  • Potential Delays: Municipalities might face more red tape in creating new bike lanes or maintaining existing ones.
  • Impact on Safety: Prioritizing car traffic could undermine efforts to create safer, more accessible infrastructure for cyclists and all vulnerable street users. Designing streets primarily for cars can lead to faster traffic and more dangerous conditions due to poor design, which increases risks for everyone on the road. Adopting a Complete Streets approach—where infrastructure considers the safety and comfort of all users, including drivers—can make streets safer and reduce stress for everyone.
  • Less Control for Local Authorities: If municipalities have to get Ministry approval for bike lanes, this could limit local decision-making power.

What can I do about it?

  • See important deadlines above!
  • Advocate for Your Community: Contact your local representatives and demand more support for bike lanes and active transportation. Urge them to push back against the potential removal of bike lanes.
  • Engage with Stakeholders: Join local advocacy groups or start one to ensure that cyclists’ voices are heard during the approval process.
  • Push for Transparency: Call for clear decision-making criteria and a transparent review process that prioritizes safety and environmental benefits over vehicle traffic flow.

2. Guelph’s 2024-2027 Budget: A Critical Moment for Active Transportation

The upcoming 2024-2027 Guelph Budget is a crucial opportunity to ensure that Guelph will continue to invest in safe, accessible active transportation for everyone. Unfortunately, budget constraints are threatening to delay key infrastructure projects, including those focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Why This Matters:

  • $693.7 million in deferred projects could potentially delay critical active transportation investments, including bike lanes and road safety measures for vulnerable road users.
  • Guelph needs consistent, equitable funding to create safer streets and more sustainable transportation options that benefit all members of the community, particularly those who rely on biking and walking.

How You Can Participate:

Special Council Budget Meeting:

  • Date: November 19, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Council Chambers, City of Guelph

Ways to Take Action:

  • Submit Written Comments:
    Email your comments to clerks@guelph.ca
    Comments must be received by 10 a.m. on November 15, 2024.
  • Register to Speak at the Meeting:
    You can register to speak at the meeting by emailing clerks@guelph.ca or calling 519-822-1260 ext. 5603 (TTY: 519-826-9771). You must register by 10 a.m. on November 15, 2024.

Key Talking Points for Guelph’s Budget:

Invest in Safe Streets and Pathways Now:

The rising incident rates for cyclists and pedestrians demand immediate action. We need infrastructure designed for all ages and abilities, with a focus on dedicated bike lanes, separated pathways, and safer intersections.

Trails and protected infrastructure are the gold standard for safety, ensuring vulnerable road users are shielded from fast-moving traffic. Additionally, addressing gaps in trail connectivity is critical. Several key trail connections in Guelph are still missing or delayed, leaving residents without safe routes for walking, biking and rolling to where they need to go. Completing these trails will create a more cohesive, accessible active transportation network that is safer for everyone.

Support Transportation Equity:

Access to safe, affordable transportation should be a basic right for all, including low-income residents. Expanding active transportation options, such as dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and safe intersections, ensures that all members of the community can travel safely, regardless of income or mobility. This will help bridge gaps in accessibility and offer sustainable, equitable alternatives to car-dependent transportation.

Support Affordability and Public Health:

Active transportation reduces personal transportation costs and supports smoother traffic flow for all users. Trails, separated lanes, and safer intersections not only reduce congestion but also decrease commute times and lower pollution levels. With fewer cars on the road, we reduce road maintenance costs, benefiting the entire community. These changes also enhance public health by encouraging more walking and cycling, while strengthening our local economy and fostering more connected, sustainable communities for all.

Why It Matters Now

Bill 212 in Ontario could delay or block new bike lanes and infrastructure by adding more oversight and restrictions, making it harder for municipalities to prioritize essential cycling projects for public safety and climate goals. In Guelph, the 2024-2027 Budget is our chance to secure funding for these vital initiatives, and delaying them now could harm public health, safety, and community connectivity.

Ontario’s Strong Mayor Powers (SMP), introduced through the More Homes Built Faster Act, allow mayors in cities like Toronto and Ottawa to override council decisions and push through infrastructure projects without full council approval. While this can accelerate the development of bike lanes and active transportation projects, it also risks unequal investment if other priorities, like housing, take precedence. Advocates must ensure active transportation remains a top priority to build a sustainable and equitable transportation network for everyone.

What Should I Write About?

Tell your story—how does active transportation save you money, improve your health, and keep you safe? Reflect on how bike lanes, walking paths, and accessible infrastructure have positively impacted your daily life, whether by making commuting easier, safer, or more affordable. Share how these improvements have enhanced your physical or mental well-being and reduced your transportation costs. For those with disabilities, how have accessible routes like ramps and wider sidewalks made a difference in your independence and safety? If you don’t have a family, think about how these changes support your individual needs and connect you to the community.

Is your neighborhood underserved in terms of walking and cycling infrastructure? Do you find it difficult or unsafe to get around by bike or on foot? Share how better infrastructure could encourage you to walk or cycle more, improving your health and reducing reliance on cars. Highlight how safe, accessible routes could improve your experience and help build a more connected, inclusive community for all.

Emphasize how these improvements have made you feel more secure and included in your community. Stress that continued investment will not only benefit you but also create a healthier, safer, and more inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. Active transportation isn’t just about individual benefits—it’s about building a more connected and sustainable community.

How to Talk About Active Transportation Benefits:

When talking to someone who might not use active transportation or isn’t familiar with it, focus on how these changes benefit everyone—not just those who walk or cycle. Here are a few ways to frame the conversation:

  • Safer Streets for Everyone: Streets designed for everyone, reduce all types of accidents and make neighborhoods safer for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Less Traffic, Better Flow: With fewer cars on the road, we see less congestion. This improves traffic flow for drivers and shortens commute times, making travel easier for everyone.
  • Inclusive and Connected Neighborhoods: For those with different mobility needs—whether using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers—thoughtfully designed infrastructure like ramps, wide sidewalks, and clear crossings ensures that they, too, can travel confidently and independently. These improvements foster a sense of community by encouraging people to spend time outside, meet others, and use local spaces with ease.

Together, we can ensure that active transportation and safety remain priorities at both the provincial and municipal levels. Your experiences—both the positive moments and the challenges—are key to shaping Guelph’s future. Whether you’ve faced barriers on our streets or felt the joy of safe, accessible spaces, your voice helps us dream of a Guelph where everyone can move safely and freely.

This vision depends on community engagement. By sharing your stories and speaking up for these changes, you help create a city that’s healthier, more connected, and inclusive for all.

Thank you for your dedication and continued support. Let’s ensure Guelph can be a leader in safe, accessible transportation for everyone. Together, we can make this vision a reality!


Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation

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