Province rolls out $93M to improve bike routes

By Ruth Tecle

Ottawa will receive $9.6 million from the Ontario government over the next four years to fund new cycling infrastructure — the second largest amount for any city or town in the province from a newly announced, $93-million fund for bike lanes and other initiatives.

The announcement to provide all 120 municipalities who applied with some funding to improve cycling infrastructure was made Dec. 4 by provincial Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca at Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop in Toronto.

Toronto is the single biggest recipient of funds — $25.6 million — from the new pot of provincial money.

“Cycling is a convenient and sustainable way to get around,” said Del Duca, “and that is why we are committed to building more cycling infrastructure to make it easier for people to bike.”

The spending plan was announced as part of the province’s Climate Change Action Plan. The investment is “funded by the proceeds of the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market,” said the province.

“Active transportation is a critical part of the transportation system, and across Ontario, 120 municipalities from Essex County to Thunder Bay will receive funding from the province to build more bike lanes and other cycling infrastructure, or enhance existing infrastructure,” according to a statement issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. “Making cycling safer and more convenient is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.”

The funding also comes in support of Ontario’s municipal commuter cycling program, which aims to support the “1.5 million people in Ontario” who “hop on their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall” to get to work, school or elsewhere.

“Reducing greenhouse gas pollution from transportation is one of the most important actions we can take to fight climate change,” said Ontario Minister of Environment and Climate Change Chris Ballard. “Creating more bike lanes in communities big and small makes it easier and safer for people across the province to choose cleaner, quicker ways of getting around.”

The government said all municipalities will have opportunities to apply for further financial support during the four-year life of the funding program.