TCAT releases the results of its 2010 Municipal Candidate Election Surveys today. TCAT surveyed all Toronto candidates to provide voters the candidates' views on active transportation issues and the concrete steps that can be taken to improve cycling and walking in Toronto. Surveys were sent in August 2010 to all of the mayoral, councillor and school trustee candidates – 475 candidates in total, with 137 respondents to date.

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) directs the planning and development of communities across Ontario. Currently the PPS is weak in its mention of walking and cycling, which affects how these modes are treated.

The City of Toronto has developed a new set of sharrow ads as part of their education efforts  on these new road pavement markings intended to indicate where cyclists should ride in a travel lane. More information on sharrows can be found here.

TCAT worked with the City of Toronto to evaluate these sharrows over the summer. The results of that evaluation are scheduled to be released this fall.

In a recent TCAT News, we reported that the City of Waterloo’s Council had approved a Transportation Master Plan that included a complete streets policy. In fact, City of Waterloo Waterloo’s City Council only received the Transportation Master Plan for information, not for a vote. It is anticipated that a final report and recommendations will be going to council in spring 2011.

The National Complete Streets Coalition’s recent newsletter highlighted a number of recent reports:

International Scan Recommends Complete Streets Policies

TCAT Director Nancy Smith Lea will be speaking on a panel titled "Bringing Complete Streets to Ontario" at the Share the Road Cycling Coalition's Ontario Bike Summit, September 20-21. 

The City of Toronto and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are hosting Dutch bicycle planners on September 20th and 21st for Think Bike workshops.

Sierra Club, in partnership with U of T’s Environment Week and Bikechain's Bike to Campus Day, has moved their annual Car Free Day activities this year from Dundas Square to Queen's Park. This year much of Queen's Park Crescent will be Car Free on September 22nd, 2010 from 10am to 2pm. 

What can you look forward to?

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) “provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development.” All decisions – including municipal plans – must be consistent with the PPS, so it can potentially have a big impact on what happens in your community.

BIXI Toronto now has a program for businesses to buy BIXI subscriptions for their employees. It’s a great way to promote sustainable transportation at your workplace.