February 2, 20000

To: Toronto Cycling Committee

From: Co-Chairs, Education and Safety Sub-Committee

Subject: Recommendations on Smog Reduction.

The Education and Safety Sub-Committee at its meeting on January. 25, 2000, had before it a communication from the City Clerk advising that the Toronto Cycling Committee on January 17, 2000, requested all of the Sub-Committees to forward recommendations on smog reduction for submission to the Toronto Cycling Master Plan Study for inclusion in the Final Report, to the Committee for its meeting on February 14, 2000.

The Education and Safety Sub-Committee recommended to the Toronto Cycling Committee that the following recommendations be forwarded for inclusion in the Final Report of the Toronto Cycling Master Plan Study:

"It is recommended that the City of Toronto be requested to:

(1) develop, implement and fund high profile events to call people to action, such as:

(a) Twice a month scheduled Reduce Smog Action Days;

(b) SMOG action neighbourhood parties/green tea parties/park parties

- develop resource packages as part of program;

(c) SMOG action school parties for children to investigate alternatives

- distribute free bicycle safety flags ("anti-smog machine");

(e) car-free Sundays; and

(f) events to encourage bike friendly businesses;

(7) develop, implement and fund risk reduction strategies to reduce the harmful effects of smog; for example:

(a) institute smog checks (like rain checks for smog) which cancels and reschedules City courses, events like parades, etc., during periods of high smog; and

(b) ban the Molson Indy and Boat Races on Lake Ontario that contribute to activities that glorify the use of machinery that is a major contributor to smog;

(2) develop, implement and fund education programs that raise awareness and call for action on smog; for example:

(a) support Toronto Cycling Committee programs like Ambassadors, Bike Week;

(b) CAN-BIKE education courses in every community centre in the City of Toronto; and

(c) use the Toronto Parking Authority to conduct auto use surveys and to advertise options;

(4) purchase and maintain a fleet of bikes for staff to use during work hours to get to and from meetings;

(5) mandate the use of bicycle or walking couriers for government deliveries under eight kilometres in order to reduce car use in the City and request that other levels of government take similar action;

(6) stop the practice of providing free/subsidized-parking spaces at City Hall, Metro Hall and the Civic Centres;

(7) reward staff for making environmentally responsible choices in transportation, including but not limited to:

(a) encourage telecommuting/flex hours; and

(b) bonus for staff using bikes (days off) and transit (free passes or days off); and

(2) provide free parking at transit lots on Smog Alert Days and on Reduce Smog Action Days.

The Education and Safety Sub-Committee also recommended that City Council request the provincial and federal governments to remove the retail sales tax and the GST on bicycles and safety equipment such as helmets to make them more affordable and to encourage their use.

Contact:

Ms. Barb Wentworth

Bicycle Safety Coordinator

(416) 392-1142