Frustrated by the impact that proposed Ontario legislation will have on Ottawa’s cycling infrastructure, councillors are looking for ways to cope with the impact of Bill 60, which would prohibit bike lanes on some streets.
A city report says some city projects will not be able to move forward while others will require design changes, increasing costs.
“It’s incredibly frustrating to see this municipal autonomy and basically an entire transportation master plan be trashed by the provincial government in one quick move,” said Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster during a meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on Nov. 27.
“These are projects that have been on the books … millions of dollars have already gone into design and public consultation. It’s completely absurd to tell us we can’t transform former rapid bus lanes into something else.”
The staff report identified more than 70 projects in the Transportation Master Plan that are compliant with the legislation and can move forward. But others can’t proceed, including St. Joseph Boulevard, O’Connor Street’s cycle track extension and improvements on Albert and Slater streets.
Orléans West-Innes Coun. Laura Dudas was frustrated about the impact the legislation’s will have on projects in her own ward, including a multi-use pathway.
“This piece of legislation … has stripped my community’s ability to have a say on their own street, and that just infuriates me beyond comprehension.”
She encouraged members of the community to continue their advocacy in actions such as Bike Ottawa’s planned rallies to raise awareness about the legislation’s impact on cycling infrastructure.
“I know that myself, the chair, as well as all the colleagues around the table here are still reeling from this omnibus bill,” she said. “It’s been fast tracked for all of us, including municipality.”
Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower noted that drivers also need to be aware of Bill 60’s implications.
“When there’s safe, protected infrastructure that people can cycle on, people will use it,” he said. “If we can shift even just a few more trips to the grocery store or school, shift that out of a car onto a bike, [it] has a huge impact on the number of vehicles and the traffic on the road.”
Staff recommend the city preserve funding for projects that won’t more forward next year because of Bill 60, which has passed its third reading and is awaiting royal assent.
Staff said the city plans to work with councillors to address the impacts of the legislation on specific projects in their wards, as well as explore the possibility of introducing regulations that could provide exceptions. The next committee meeting will address how funds could be allocated and recommended changes to cycling project priorities.
