Item - 2021.IE25.20

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back on the near-term plan for Scarborough's pedestrian and cycle network as part of the report "Cycling Network Plan Near-Term – Plan Update" expected at the December 2, 2021 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Parking Authority to provide a presentation in the first quarter of 2022 to Scarborough Community Council that:

a. outlines the long-term plan for a Scarborough Cycling Network and dispositions the report "The Scarborough Opportunity: A Comprehensive Walking and Cycling Network";

b. summarizes the current extent and usage of Bike Share in Scarborough, and the plans for its expansion through to 2030; and

c. outlines next steps and opportunities for public consultation on Scarborough's Cycling Network.

Many residents have voiced their concerns and need for better walking and cycling infrastructure in Scarborough. Most of Scarborough’s major rights-of-way are approximately 36m wide providing ample space to install bike lanes without removing traffic lanes or encroaching on adjacent properties. Scarborough also has access to numerous ravine networks and corridors ideal for off-road trails.

Given the robust opportunities in Scarborough, suburbs are still often overlooked for detailed, intricate cycling networks. Between 2016 and 2018, the City created approximately 60 kilometres of cycling infrastructure, however Scarborough did not benefit from this, other than renewal of exiting routes.

The Toronto Star article, “Attempts at building a cycling network in Scarborough have been an ‘abject failure,’ harming resident’s health,” outlines “The Scarborough Opportunity” report by UTSC on the dangers of the lack of bike infrastructure in Scarborough and how the City can tap into Scarborough’s potential to become a “cycling superpower”

“The Scarborough Opportunity” report highlights the negative impacts on Scarborough residents due to the lack of walking and cycling infrastructure and its continued suffering from an automobile-dependent form.

The absence of a proper pedestrian network is resulting in an increases car usage, pollution, congestion and on top of this we are seeing negative impacts on resident health because many are not walking or cycling.

I am requesting that the City of Toronto develop a long-term plan for comprehensive pedestrian cycle network plan for Scarborough to increase the number of trips taken by walking, cycling and transit and to include an expansion of Bike Share stations throughout the suburbs by 2030.  

The Toronto Star article,  “Attempts at building a cycling network in Scarborough have been an ‘abject failure’ harming residents’ health. A new report shows how that can be fixed.” by Ben Spur can be read here.

The Scarborough Opportunity: A Comprehensive Walking and Cycling Network report by UTSC’s Andre Sorensen and team, can be found online here.