Regional Niagara has
shown a substantial commitment to, and support of, bicycling. Particular
initiatives have included:
·
Preparation and adoption of the Regional Niagara Bicycling Study (1995),
including the identification of a Regional Niagara Bicycling Network.
·
Formation of a Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee with separate Task Forces
focused on Encouragement, Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Policy
Development.
·
Creation of about 90 kilometres of bicycling facilities between 1995 and 1999,
with about 24 kilometres being completed in 1999 alone.
·
Promotion of Niagara as a tourism destination for bicycling.
·
Recognition of bicycling activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Since
bicycling is a legitimate means of transportation and its associated facilities
are related to the physical environment, the following objectives and policies
are added to the Regional Policy Plan to reflect the community’s aspirations and
priorities.
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Objectives for Bicycling
Objective 9.F.1
To
encourage bicycling and work towards a safe, bicycle-friendly environment in
Niagara to enhance the overall quality of life.
Objective
9.F.2 To promote safety through bicycling
education and enforcement initiatives.
Objective 9.F.3
To recognize and support
bicycling as a legitimate and an environmentally sustainable form of
transportation for utilitarian and recreational purposes.
Objective 9.F.4
To promote bicycling as
part of Niagara’s tourism experience in partnership with the Niagara Economic
and Tourism Corporation, the private sector and other agencies.
Objective 9.F.5
To develop and support a
Regional Niagara Bicycling Network (Bicycling Network) and related
infrastructure that is planned, designed, constructed, and maintained according
to recognized standards and/or guidelines.
Objective 9.F.6
To consider and
incorporate bicycling in the Region’s land use and transportation planning
activities.
Objective 9.F.7
To encourage and assist
local municipalities to adopt and support bicycle-friendly initiatives where
appropriate and to develop bicycle facilities which connect with the Bicycling
Network.
Objective 9.F.8
To encourage and help
ensure the integration of other bicycling facilities with the Bicycling Network
such as the Waterfront Trail, the Welland Canals Parkway Multi-Use Trail, the
Trans Canada link Trail and other networks outside of Niagara.
Objective 9.F.9
To maximize the annual
improvements for bicycling with the aim of completing major continuous segments
of the Bicycling Network in as timely a manner as possible.
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Policies
The Regional Municipality of
Niagara will:
Policy 9.F.1
Continue to maintain,
support and encourage the activities of the Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee
as an advisory sub-committee of the Public Works and Utilities Committee; with
membership consisting of political, public, appropriate agencies and Regional
staff representation; and, to undertake the tasks related to the above
objectives.
Policy 9.F.2
Ensure implementation of the
overall Bicycling Network shown on the map titled “Regional Niagara Bicycling
Network” where it follows Regional Roads, and facilitate the implementation
elsewhere, with continuous and safe linkages through the Capital Works and
related programs, other agencies and partnerships (e.g. Welland Canals Parkway
Multi-Use Trail, Niagara Parks Commission, Ministry of Transportation, Railways,
Transport Canada and other jurisdictions).
Policy 9.F.3
Where the Regional Niagara
Bicycling Network is proposed on a local municipal road, the Regional
Municipality will be responsible for funding of the bicycling facility, subject
to Regional Council approval. If these funds are not available, the local
municipality may proceed with capital works without the bicycling facility.
Policy 9.F.4
Provide the Regional Niagara
Bicycling Committee with the approved annual Regional roads rehabilitation and
construction program as well as the capital works program for sewer and water
works to examine and to provide recommendations on bicycling-related works
subject to overall considerations (e.g. budgetary, stakeholder, property)
identified by the Regional Public Works and Utilities Committee.
Policy 9.F.5
Adopt provincially and/or
nationally recognized engineering standards as guidelines to assist in the
planning and design of bicycle facilities on the Bicycling Network. Prior to
the design and construction of a bikeway or facility, safety and operational
matters will be considered as well as the cultural, scenic and other
environmental attributes through which the designated routes pass. Outside
urban areas, off the Bicycling Network, an attempt will be made to continue the
current practice of providing an extra 0.5 metres of paved shoulder along
Regional roads where possible.
Policy 9.F.6
Request that local
municipalities and other agencies plan and develop bicycle routes and
facilities, and that these organizations and utility companies consider
provisions for the safe and convenient use of bicycles in their planning
documents and in their proposed capital works.
Policy 9.F.7
Support and assist in the
protection of abandoned rail and other linear corridors for off-road trails;
recommend that the local municipalities consider the various means to protect
and/or acquire such corridors; and, request that local zoning by-laws contain
minimum provisions for safe and secure bicycle parking in high activity areas
and at public buildings.
Policy 9.F.8
Recognize that bicycling
routes located on private property will only remain open with the approval of
the property owner.
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Copyright © 2003, 2005 Regional Niagara Bicycling
Committee
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