Study shows cycling transportation a priority for Ontarians

More Ontarians are riding their bikes. A poll commissioned by Share the Road Cycling Coalition shows that 5.1 per cent of Ontarians ride their bikes daily or almost daily. The figure is up 4 per cent from 2012. The survey shows a larger jump when it comes to weekly riding activity, up 28 per cent from 2012 to 31.2 per cent.

“More than 600,000 Ontarians are cycling daily, including 182,000 in Toronto,” said Eleanor McMahon, founder and CEO of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in a statement. “Ensuring their safety, and encouraging Ontarians to cycle more given its numerous benefits to society benefits everyone.”

The poll found other insights into Ontarians’ views on cycling and cycling habits:

• A majority of Ontarians—68 per cent—would prefer to cycle more often. This number is up from the 58 per cent of Ontarians surveyed in 2012
• 70 per cent of Ontarians believe that cyclists need more bike lanes or paved shoulders and 78 per cent believe that more people would cycle if there was more and better cycling infrastructure
• 76 per cent of Ontarians agree that “cycling gets people out of their cars, means fewer cars on the road, and provides more transit choices and that is a good reason for provincial support of cycling in Ontario”
• 73 per cent agree that health benefits and reduced healthcare costs for Ontario and that is a good reason for provincial support of cycling in Ontario
• 71 per cent agree that cyclists are taxpayers too, have a right to use the roads, and a portion of provincial funding to roads should be earmarked to meet cyclists’ needs
• 89 per cent believe that the Ontario government should fund local active school travel efforts, including the development of school travel plans for schools across the province

The survey also include findings about Torontoians regarding cycling and transportation:

• 69 per cent agree that investment in the Pan Am Games should include cycling infrastructure such as more bike lanes and paths that would be used by visitors and athletes and serve as a legacy resulting from the games
• 85 per cent would support the provincial government investing in the development of active-travel plans to promote walking and cycling to school. 89 per cent of those in the GTA believe the same
• 68 per cent support the City of Toronto making a financial contribution so that Bixi remains a sustainable part of the City’s transportation network
• 73 per cent agree that bike-share programs “are part of a public transport system that can reduce gridlock and contribute to the livability of Toronto”
• 68 per cent support the City of Toronto making a financial contribution to Bixi “such that it remains a sustainable part of the city’s transportation and transit network and continues to provide transportation options”

The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is an advocacy group that strives to make Ontario communities more bicycle- friendly. The poll was conducted by Strategic Communications Inc. of Toronto with a representative sample of 1,523 adult Ontario residents over the period of May 14 to 17, 2013.

The information comes as the coalition’s 5th Ontario Bike Summit gets underway in Toronto. The event brings together politians and policy makers from across North America to discuss matters of cycling infrastructure and safety.