Cycle Ontario

It was a lively meeting, with information on the many initiatives currently underway to promote cycling for recreation and transportation.

A number of the projects funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation were on display, including COA’s display unit (recently used at the Toronto Bike Show), and the new COA brochure. The Web mapping project is well underway, and the results will be used later this spring to showcase the Ontario Bicycling Route on the new COA website at http://www.cycleontario.ca .

Cycle Ontario has recently received a grant from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. COA Projects Director John Sigurjonsson explained his plans to use this to promote children commuting to school by non-motorized means.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted, with thanks to former treasurers Brett Delmage(for work in past years) and Kris Coward for their excellent records, and for Issie Chackowicz for assisting the accountant to prepare the report.

Earlier this year, COA received funding from the Ministry of Health Promotion to undertake the Ontario Bike Plan, a 20-odd-page discussion document that will outline the major issues and actions required to improve cycling participation for recreation and transportation and health in Ontario. Cycle Ontario had to raise matching funding before the grant became effective, and thanks were again given to Mountain Equipment Co-op, Toronto Bicycling Network, Velorution, Niagara Freewheelers, and the North York Cycling Club for their contributions that allowed the project to go ahead.

After a formal competition, Stantec Corporation, and in particular well-respected cycling planners Norma Moores and John van der Mark, were awarded the contract to prepare the plan. They will be consulting COA members via the Discuss email list about the content of the plan. As well, there was a lively and positive discussion of the plan and its content, chaired by Norma, in the afternoon.

The report will include key visions and strategies to promote cycling, an action plan for various levels of government, and top priorities and visions. The only similar plan in Canada was prepared by Velo Quebec, and adopted a few years ago by the government of Quebec, but more than 20 states in the U.S. have similar plans. Norma noted that this document would not include recommendations for facility standards, as this would be beyond the scope of this document. Members recommended ensuring the plan included an implementation plan, and official government recognition of the Ontario Bicycling Route.

Issie Chackowicz reported that the Ontario Cycling Association is providing support for CAN-BIKE cycling courses, including course insurance, is looking for funding to support a part-time CAN-BIKE coordinator.

John Sigurjonsson also outlined future work on

* Bikeways and Signage Guidelines
* Membership and Allied Clubs
* Destination Facilities
* Bicycle Friendly Community Awards
* “Why Cycle” Promotion
* Bicycle Use Municipal Plan Advocacy
* Theft Prevention

Presentations from the AGM will be posted on www.cycleontario.ca.

At the board meeting after the AGM, Steve was elected vice-president, Phil treasurer, and Alayne secretary. Nina will continue as president for the moment.

A number of proposed bylaw amendments had been introduced. However, it was determined that the requirement of 21 days’ official notice to the members had not been met, so the by-laws could not be voted upon. Instead there was an active discussion of the merits of the proposed changes. Because of the number of points raised, not all the changes were able to be discussed before time ran out, nor was there consensus reached on a number of the changes. The changes will now be referred to the COA Discuss email list for further discussion by the members, and to the Bylaws committee (which is open to and welcomes new members).

Laura Robinson discussed the appeal of a proposed Wal-Mart development in Saugeen Shores that would be immediately adjacent to the Ontario Bicycling Route road in that area. There are no obvious alternatives to that OBR routing, and the added traffic and road widening is likely to increase the risk and decrease the comfort of cycling on that route. COA is providing technical assistance to the local group appealing the town council decision approving the development to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Mountain Equipment Co-op donated door prizes (lights and small tools) which Issie distributed. COA had been running a membership sign-up contest for the last few months: the draw occurred at the AGM, and Norma Moores ended up the winner of an electric bike.