Increase staff resources to plan, design and implement cycling and pedestrian infrastructure projects.
 
Funding for expansion of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure has been frozen for several years. As a result, few new projects have been initiated.
 
 Toronto Bike Plan recommends increasing the level of funding available for building cycling infrastructure. This will require a corresponding increase in the level of activity to plan design and implement these projects. Part of the reason that there has been a backlog of bike lane projects is the shortage of staff to work on them. In spite of a plan to do so the Transportation Services Division has not given the go ahead to increase of staff in 2006 to deliver the cycling infrastructure projects funded out of the $3.0 million budget. In 2007 more staff will be needed as the funding increases to $6.0 million.
 
Staff resources devoted to pedestrian issues in the Transportation Services Division are extremely limited - half of a managerial position and one staff member. This lack of dedicated resources limits the range of pedestrian infrastructure initiatives that can be initiated and the speed at which they can be implemented.
 
The Civic Improvement Program, managed by the Urban Design Group, makes significant and visible improvements to the pedestrian environment by expanding, designing and beautifying public spaces. Unfortunately, because its funding is limited, it can only work on a fraction of the potential projects it identifies. If the city is to achieve its goal of becoming a beautiful city which draws pedestrians onto its streets, the work of the Civic Improvement Program must be greatly expanded.
 
The Parks Forestry and Recreation Division is responsible for a large part of the Bikeway Network and pedestrian network: the trails that run through Toronto's parks and ravines. There is currently no dedicated staff person responsible for overseeing the work on expanding and upgrading this part of the Bikeway Network as recommended in the bike plan, and enhancing access and routes for those on foot.. Council should approve a position of Cycling and Pathways Planner to take on this coordination role.
 
Toronto CAT calls on the next Council to:
  1. 3.Increase the number of staff working on planning designing and implementing cycling and pedestrian infrastructure:
  2. •Add 4 staff to the Transportation Services Division to work on cycling infrastructure.
  3. •Add full-time permanent staff to the Transportation Services Division to work on pedestrian infrastructure.
  4. •Increase the funding of the Planning Division’s Civic Improvement Program by $400,000 a year over 4 years, allowing it to add 2 extra projects a year.
  5. •Add a senior position of Cycling and Pathways Planner to the Parks Forestry and Recreation Division
  6. •Increase funding of the Transportation Services Division missing sidewalks program to keep up with inflation.
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