April 8, 1999
To:Toronto Cycling Committee
From:Co-Chairs, Education and Safety Sub-Committee
Subject:Transfer of Functions of the Etobicoke and East York
Safety Councils to the Toronto Cycling Committee
Recommendations:
The Education and Safety Sub-Committee recommends that:
(1)the functions of the Etobicoke Safety Council, the Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the
Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime Prevention Association not be transferred to the Toronto
Cycling Committee as these functions are far broader in scope than the mandate of the
Toronto Cycling Committee; and
(2)in areas of common interest, the Toronto Cycling Committee continue to work
cooperatively with the Etobicoke Safety Council, Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the
Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime Prevention Association.
Background:
The Toronto Cycling Committee on March 22, 1999, requested the Education and Safety
Sub-Committee to report on the proposal to transfer the functions of the Etobicoke and East
York Safety Councils to the Toronto Cycling Committee.
Comment:
The Toronto Cycling Committee's purpose is to advise City Council and its Departments,
Agencies, Boards, and Commissions, on the design, development and delivery of bicycle
policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling within the new City of
Toronto. Its goal is a liveable and environmentally friendly City that is accessible and safe for
people of all ages and abilities to get around by bicycle and to ensure the role of cycling in a
transportation system appropriately balanced among all road users.
The Toronto Cycling Committee is not against the rationalization of committees of similar
goals as the Committee itself grew out of the combined efforts of the former Toronto City
Cycling Committee, the Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, and the North York
Cycling and Pedestrian Committee. However, the Committee has actively chosen to focus on
cycling issues exclusively, encouraging the formation of the Toronto Pedestrian Committee
and choosing not to merge with the association of in-line skaters. When issues of
commonality arise, we are happy to work together, but feel that overall, our various goals are
better served by separate committees. This holds true for common goals with the Etobicoke
Safety Council, for example. We have formed a partnership with them in implementing the
Road and Trail Safety Ambassadors (formerly Cycling Ambassadors) in the area of Etobicoke.
Established in 1967, the Etobicoke Safety Council deals with bicycle safety, but also car
safety, fire safety and injury prevention education in schools and in the community. In a
conversation between Ms. Marleen Van Laethem, Co-Chair, Education and Safety
Sub-Committee of the Toronto Cycling Committee and Mr. Jeffery Zajac, Chair, Etobicoke
Safety Council, Mr. Zajac agreed that the scope of the Safety Council is far broader than the
scope of the Toronto Cycling Committee and that we already work together on common
issues.
The Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. works on crime prevention issues through four
sub-committees: Youth Issues; Police Issues; Community Standards, and Community
Harmonization. Again, where cycling interests overlap with these four areas, we are happy to
work together.
Very little information on the Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime Prevention Association is
available in the aforementioned Clause. From their name, it can be inferred that they deal with
community initiatives to prevent crime of all nature, not just bicycle crimes.
Conclusion:
The Sub-Committee, with all due respect to the cost-saving efforts of the Emergency and
Protective Services Committee, recommends that the functions of the Etobicoke Safety
Council, the Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime
Prevention Association not be transferred to the Toronto Cycling Committee as these
functions are far broader in scope than the mandate of the Toronto Cycling Committee and for
other reasons as outlined in this report.
Marleen Van Laethem
Co-Chair, Education and Safety Sub-Committee
