New Polling Data on Cycling in Ontario
68% of Ontarians Cycling Occasionally While 3.2 Million Ontarians (22%) Are Daily Cyclists
HELLO, Mayor Crombie and Councillor Dasko ??? ... What's with the inordinate delays in fulfilling the much-hyped City of Mississauga’s Pedestrian, Cycling and Active Transportation Master Plans promising CONNECTED, CONVENIENT, COMFORTABLE and SAFE Walking, Biking and Rolling infrastructure for people of all ages and walks of life in our Lakeview-Mississauga community, like the 2010-planned, 2018-approved, designed and 2019 scheduled Bridge connecting Orchard Heights Park to the Etobicoke Creek Trail ??? ...
(HAMILTON – May 1, 2023) – The Share the
Road Cycling Coalition (The Coalition) Ontario’s cycling advocacy and policy
organization today released province-wide polling data at the opening of the
15th annual Ontario Bike Summit. The data outlines that there is a high
prevalence of cycling amongst Ontarians, that the majority of Ontarians want to
cycle more often, and that increased investment by governments in cycling
infrastructure is something that a majority of Ontarians support.
The poll was conducted by Crestview
Strategies (Toronto) with a representative sample of 1000 adult Ontario
residents balanced and weighted on age, gender, and region from April 19-22nd
2023, with a comparative margin of error of +/-3.1 per cent.
The findings are outlined below:
Ontarians are cyclists – and motorists too
• 68 per cent of Ontarians (9.8 million
people) ride their bike at least monthly.
• Of those, 22 per cent of Ontarians (3.2
million) say they ride a bike frequently (daily or almost daily) and an
additional 46 per cent report riding occasionally - weekly or monthly.
• Ontarians are both cyclists and drivers:
87 per cent of Ontario’s 3.2 million frequent cyclists say they also drive
frequently, while 85 per cent of Ontario’s 9.8 million occasional cyclists say
this is the case.
• The top two reasons for cycling are
recreation, with 72 per cent of individuals cycling for this purpose, and
exercise, with 65 per cent using bicycles for this activity.
• Shopping and running errands are the
reason 16 per cent of Ontarians cycle occasionally (33 per cent for frequent
cyclists), with visiting friends also at 16 per cent (34 per cent for frequent
cyclists).
• Commuting to work and school is the
choice of 11 per cent of occasional cyclists, with frequent cyclists at 20 per
cent.
• 8.5 Million Ontario residents (59 per
cent) live in a Bicycle Friendly Community, as designated by Share the Road's
Bicycle Friendly Communities program
There is pent up demand for cycling in
Ontario
• A majority (51 per cent) want to cycle
more often with 70 percent of regular cyclists and 58 per cent of occasional
cyclists, indicating this preference.
• A majority of Ontarians, 65 per cent,
expressed their desire to cycle more if there were improved cycling
infrastructure.
• The biggest obstacle to cycling more is
fear at 48 per cent.
• 61 per cent of respondents stated that
they would feel more comfortable cycling if their area had well-connected and
safe cycling infrastructure.
• 56 per cent of Ontarians agree that
“Where I live, cyclists need more bike lanes or paved shoulders”
There is strong support for action from the
provincial government on cycling
• 66 per cent of Ontarians believe that
their government should allocate funds towards cycling infrastructure in order
to make cycling a safer and more convenient mode of transportation.
• 65 per cent of respondents felt that such
investments would benefit cyclists and motorists
• 57 per cent Ontarians see a need for a
dedicated active transportation fund by the provincial government.
• 68 per cent support investments in
cycling and bike paths.
10.2
• 61 per cent support investments in a new
cycling education program that will offer cycling education options to
Ontarians of all ages.
• 77 per cent are in favor of investment
streams that prioritize pedestrian infrastructure.
• There is strong support, with 92 per cent
of Ontarians in favor of plans that promote walking and cycling to schools.
Perceptions related to investments in
cycling infrastructure and tax incentives
• 72 per cent believe investing in proper
cycling infrastructure makes it safer for all road users.
• 65 per cent say “investing in cycling is
good for my municipality”.
• 58 per cent agree that investing in
cycling is good for their city’s business and tourism.
• 55 per cent agree there should be tax
breaks and incentives to offset the cost of purchasing a new bicycle or e-bike.
• In terms of voting intentions 42 per cent
say they would be more likely to vote for a local or provincial candidate if
they make a strong public commitment to road safety and cycling infrastructure
funding.
• When it comes to contributions to taxes
that fund transportation infrastructure 54 per cent of Ontarians agree that
cyclists are contributors, and pay taxes (e.g., through property taxes, sales
taxes on bikes).
“This data confirms what we know through
our work in communities – that Ontarians are cyclists, and that they want to
cycle more often, given the numerous benefits cycling brings in terms of
healthy, safe and active communities. In addition, the fact that the data shows
that Ontarians are both motorists and cyclists, points to the fact that a false
narrative has developed, and that somehow cycling is a divisive issue. This is
simply not the case. With Ontario motorists also cycling regularly there is a
clear imperative that we all focus on making our roads and our communities
safer with investments that will save lives – and lessen congestion,” said Ed
McMahon, Board Chair, Share the Road Cycling Coalition.
“The support by Ontarians for increased
investments in infrastructure is a powerful statement that will assist our
ongoing work with municipal – and provincial – governments towards enhanced
investments in infrastructure as well as programs to enhance cycling and road
safety,” McMahon noted.
About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition
The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is Ontario’s cycling advocacy and policy
organization created to unite cycling organizations from across the province,
work with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their
communities more bicycle- friendly and advocate for investment and engagement
by provincial and municipal governments. Core to the organization’s mission and
mandate are safety, education and awareness campaigns.
For information and interviews:
Janet
O’Connell, Managing Director,
Share the Road Cycling Coalition
cell: (705)
641-0745
joconnell@sharetheroad.ca
Matthew Sweet
(W) 905-615-3200, ext.4026
matthew.sweet@mississauga.ca
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