Below are a few items that I think you might find interesting:
The North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association (NABSA) released their annual 2023 State of the Industry report in August. The report highlighted that shared micromobility expanded in Canada again with systems in 41 cities in 2023 (up from 29 in 2022) and we saw a 35% increase in shared micromobility trips last year.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is seeking feedback on a proposal to extend the kick-style e-scooter pilot for another 5 years. The initial 5-year pilot program began January 1, 2020, and since then 16 municipalities have opted into the program. The province is now seeking input on whether the existing rules of the pilot should be adjusted to keep pace with technological advancements, address safety concerns, and meet mobility needs as part of an extension. The comment period is open until September 27, 2024.
On the topic of e-scooter pilots, British Columbia renewed their e-scooter pilot program for another 4-year term earlier in 2024. During the next term, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will lead an ongoing safety evaluation with ICBC and the BC Injury Research Prevention Unit.
A key concern surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters is sharing paths with pedestrians with disabilities. Rather than resorting to an all or nothing approach, Town of Ajax Active Transportation Planner Armi De Francia sought to engage people with disabilities and understand the nuances of their experiences. The Town has released a video of residents with disabilities speaking about tips for sharing paths with pedestrians with disabilities.
This summer, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced $3 million for school streets across Canada! The four-year initiative is a cross-collaboration between non-profit organizations, research institutions, and community partners in six provinces. Congratulations to all those involved in the successful funding application and I'm excited to see all the ways this project helps transform school commutes across the country.
Long-awaited details on Canada's Permanent Public Transit Fund were announced in July. The Fund will provide $3 billion per year for public transit and active transportation infrastructure, beginning in 2026-27 and aims to increase the use of public transit and active transportation. Make sure that active transportation is part of your community's application for this fund!
Speaking of federal investments in active transportation, my National Active Transportation Fund (ATF) Tracker is still going! So far nearly $189 million has been announced across 196 projects. I've been updating it less frequently (because honestly, I didn't think the announcements would still be going 2+ years after I started the tracker), but I try to update it at least every quarter. We've still got over $200 million in announcements to go for this $400 million fund.
I don't want to pretend that it's all positive news and progress in the active transportation and road safety space, as we continue to see vulnerable road user deaths and serious injuries. Every time I cross the street, I think of Bilkis Khanam, a pregnant mother who was killed with her baby this summer while walking in a pedestrian crossing in Toronto. When cycling I think of Navjot Kaur, a young woman killed in Etobicoke while cycling. I think of the 70-year old person on a bike killed in Guelph and the young person hit cycling last night in Brampton whose names I don't yet know, and unfortunately of too many more. This is tragic and unacceptable and we must commit to implementing the solutions we know will make our roads safer for everyone.
The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) is always producing new and helpful resources. Recently, I was reading their report about what has worked, and what hasn't for the implementation of Vision Zero (VZ) in North American cities. Implementation has varied due to wide population and geographic size differences among cities, differing political climates, and varied approaches to transportation planning, however, some common findings emerged that we can all learn from.
While attending the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) Conference in Detroit this summer, I got to learn more about the ongoing work to build the 27.5 mile Joe Louis Greenway. With an emphasis on avoiding gentrification and addressing historical inequities for local residents, the community has been involved in the planning process through a Citizen Advisory Committee, meetings, festivals, and programming along the greenway and surrounding neighbourhoods.
