GET MOVING TORONTO BIKE PLAN

WHY CYCLE? Cycling is practical and cost-effective It is often the quickest way for short trips around the city and cycling saves you money It is healthy; cycling is an easy way to get exercise There are now many paths around the city and this system is expanding It is good to feel the wind on your face

Cycling is a good way to explore the city

Cycling is good for the environment it significantly reduces emissions and eases traffic congestion

Bike Facts: 62% of City residents cycle 18% cycle to work or school 28% cycle to run errands or visit friends 38% cycle for recreation

73% of residents agree more should be invested in cycling routes so even more people can get around by bike

www.torontobikeplan.ca

City Vision The Toronto Bike Plan aims to make the city a more bicycle friendly city for all. The vision is to create a safe and friendly environment that encourages people to use bicycles for everyday health, transportation and enjoyment.

Bike Plan Aims 1. To increase the number of cycling trips in Toronto by 15% each year 2. To decrease cycling collisions and injuries

Bike Network All Toronto residents will be within a five-minute bicycle ride to the bike lane network. The City has been working hard to ramp up the implementation. This means building more than 700 kms of bike lanes in the next five years.

Recent Highlights • 5.8 km of new bike lanes were approved this year • A further 22.8 km of bicycle lanes will be considered by Council this year • 45 km of new signed routes were added to the Network • 5.5 km of Sharrow routes will be added this year

Climate Change The Bike Plan is part of the city’s Climate Change, Clean Air & Sustainable Energy Action Plan, city staff have completed work on a strategy to advance and implement the Toronto Bike Plan. For more information on the Climate Change report go to: www.toronto.ca/climatechange/strategy.pdf

PLAN YOUR ROUTE Investigate your best route. You may discover the best route is not necessarily the shortest.

Give Yourself Enough Time

A general rule is to plan at least 20 minutes for a 5 kilometre trip. Take your time and enjoy the ride. Try to arrive at your destination fresh not hot and sweaty; invigorated not exhausted. Consider the weather conditions, the traffic volume and time of day, how bright is it?

Plan 20 minutes for every 5 kms

Dress Properly Safety is a priority so please dress for cycling, the weather and how you want to look when you get to your destination. For many trips, regular street clothes are fine.

Be safe, be seen It is important you take steps to enhance your visibility. Wear light, bright colored and/or reflective material. Use front and rear lights, as required by law, when riding at night.

Always wear a helmet Studies have shown in the event of a crash; a helmet will greatly reduce your chances of a serious brain injury. Every cyclist under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet.

Bicycles are vehicles too According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, bicycles are vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and are subject to the same traffic laws, signs and signals.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR BIKE Major maintenance should be left to the professionals but there are things you should always check before you get on your bike and ride off.

A is for air

• Inflate tires to the rated pressure as indicated on the sidewall; a bicycle pump is recommended • Bicycle tires need to be re-inflated more often than car tires and properly inflated tires reduce the chance of flats • Check for damage to tire tread and sidewall; replace tire if worn

B is for brakes

• Rotate wheels to check that nothing is rubbing • Inspect brake pads; replace if there is less than 6 mm of pad left • Check adjustment of brake levers; when applied, there should be at least 25 mm between each lever and the handlebar

C is for cranks, chain and cassette

• Chain should be clean, lubricated and quiet — not chattering, squeaking, or squealing; use a bicycle chain lubricant • If your chain skips while riding, you might need a new chain, a new cassette or an adjustment • Make sure your crank bolts are tight Other • Wheels need to be tight, with hub quick-release levers fully engaged • Make sure your helmet is properly fitted and positioned • Take a quick short ride to check if all is working

CYCLING WITH TRAFFIC • Ride on the right in the direction of traffic • Ride in a straight line • Use clear hand signals – always signals well in advance of any turn or stop • Trucks and buses – avoid their blind spots • Ride far enough away from parked cars so you don’t risk being hit by an opening car door (dooring).

Sharrows These are shared-use lane markings. A bicycle symbol with two white chevron markings and are typically used on cycling routes where the road is too narrow for a dedicated bicycle lane. Sharrows are painted in the curb lane, beside the curb or parked cars, to show both cyclists and motorists the ideal cyclist position in the lane.

Riding on multi-use pathway or trail • Be alert, courteous, cautious and forgiving • Ride on the right, pass on the left • Do not stop on the trail – pull off the trail when you stop • Share the trail with others • Communicate with others when you pass, cross intersecting roads or other trails

Please Don’t Squeeze This urges cyclists and drivers to avoid getting too close to each other. • Cyclists – don’t squeeze between a truck and the curb • Drivers – don’t squeeze a cyclist between your vehicle and the curb

Do not ride on the sidewalk Riding on the sidewalk can seem like a good option especially on busier roads but it is illegal and dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. Many collisions occur when a cyclist uses the sidewalk. Motorists crossing intersections or driveways do not usually look for cyclists on the sidewalk. Only small children with parents are permitted to ride on the sidewalk.

Electric Bikes E-bikes are considered motorized vehicles, like cars, they are not allowed on sidewalks, in bike lanes or bike zones. They must use the paved road.

Bike Week Every bicycle trip improves the quality of life for all Toronto residents. Bike Week is the annual celebration of Toronto’s vibrant bicycle culture. The City launched Bike to Work Day to encourage and increase communing. An enthusiastic public response led to a full calendar of events that includes group rides, film screenings, breakfasts, art shows and more. The Group Commute is the most popular Bike Week event. This year, over 70 organizations and community groups joined with the City to host more than 130 cycling events. 25,000 calendars were distributed to bike shops, community centres, civic centres and other busy community locations to promote activities. The Cycling web site received 45,000 visits during Bike Week last year. For information on Bike Week events: www.toronto.ca/bikeweek

Bicycle Parking Secure and convenient bicycle parking is now available at many destinations to encourage and support cycling. There are over 40,000 post-and-ring bike racks across the city. The Bicycle Locker Project provides secure long-term bicycle parking to encourage bicycle commuting. Bicycle lockers improve protection from theft, vandalism and poor weather. The lockers hold one bicycle each. There are fourteen bike locker locations with 160 lockers at TTC stations and now at other strategic locations across the city. This project continues to expand each year.

Post & Ring Parking Transportation Services continue to retro-fitting all the posts with a new ring, designed to provide increased security. They have also implemented regular inspections.

City Bicycle Theft Prevention Program • Register your bike with the police • Take a photo of your bike • Keep the original sales receipts and record the serial number • Keep a record of new components

Cycling and the TTC Bike & Ride expands the choices for more extended cycling trips. Over 60% of the TTC buses now have a bike racks on the front. All new TTC bus purchases, approximately 350 this year, will include a bike rack. Select GO bus routes within the GTA also have a trial with bike racks. • Bicycles are allowed on TTC vehicles during weekday non-peak hours, from 10am to 3:30pm, and 7pm to 6:30am, and anytime on Saturday and Sunday at the discretion of vehicle operators. • Most TTC buses are equipped with bike racks. The racks hold two bikes each, and can be used at any time. • The TTC provides bike lockers at key transportation hubs and destinations. Each locker is designed to hold one bicycle and bicycle gear, such as panniers, locks, and lights. • The City of Toronto and The TTC also operates several bicycle stations, providing secure indoor bike parking. Locations include: Union Station, Finch West Subway Station, and Victoria Park Subway Station. • There are now many minor repair stations close to TTC stations cross the city.

Bicycle Programs Cyclometer Would you like more information or would you like to get involved? Sign up for a monthly newsletter on bicycle programs and infrastructure in Toronto. Visit www.toronto.ca/cyclometer The BUG Network The Network has grown to 132 in the GTA and there are groups in 61 cities across Canada. Toronto Cycling Map There is a comprehensive map that shows all the bicycling lanes, routes, trails and more to help cyclists plan their trips. It also lists cycling resources, safety tips, and other information. Copies are available at libraries, community centres and bike shops in your neighbourhood. Visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/map Bicycle Friendly Businesses Every year the City is working with local businesses to encourage bike friendly stores. Many of these stores provide lock spaces, rest areas and minor repair facilities. Look out for the sign in your local area. Business are encouraged to visit: www.torontobikeplan.ca/business

Who implements the Bike Plan? Staff from several City divisions and agencies are working to implement the Bike Plan such as transportation, planning and TTC share the primary responsibilities, all work in close cooperation on many Bike Plan projects. • Transportation is responsible for all roadway-related cycling infrastructure. This includes parking, lanes, routes and multi-use paths. • Parks, Forestry & Recreation is responsible for the planning and implementation of multi-use, off-road trails with in parks. Cycling is one of the core uses of the cities trail system, which is also used by runners, in-line skaters and a variety of pedestrians. • Planning is responsible for the bicycle promotion, safety and public education programs, including Bike Week, and coordinating CAN-BIKE cyclist training courses. • Toronto Transit Commission is involved with programs that work to integrate cycling with public transit, like the Bike Rack on Buses program. • Cycling Advisory Committee is a citizen group whose purpose is to promote cycling within the City by advising Council and its departments on the development of bicycle policies, programs and facilities.

City Staff & Cycling We also encourage City staff to participate in the Plan. Police Bicycle Patrol, Emergency Medical Services, Parking, Buildings Inspectors, Parks and Recreation are already involved in cycling programs.

For more information Visit www.toronto.ca/cycling Toronto City General Inquiries: call 311 Follow the TO City Bike Plan on Twitter @cityoftoronto

Designed by: Megan Livi