Share The Road Cycling Coalition

1. Share The Road Cycling Coalition Building A Bicycle Community “Education and Enforcement” October 3rd, 2011

2. Overview • The “Education Gap” • Statistics and research • Solution: Closing the Gap (HRPS Partnership, Mass Marketing)

3. The Education Gap

4. Expert Survey: 2009

5. Why Education Matters The case for enhanced education/awareness programs: • Omnibus survey 1100 Ontarians: Why don’t you cycle? • 60% of Ontarians say they would prefer to cycle more often; the primary reason they do not ride more often is they are “worried about safety on the road” • 94% of respondents rode bikes as children, only 6% are frequent users today • 85% of children rode bikes/walked to school in 1971 • 14.5% do so now

6. Education: Ontario Medical Association “Bicycling is an activity that offers the opportunity for both recreational exercise, and exercise that can be incorporated into the tasks of daily life. It provides an easy and cost-effective way for many Ontarians to meet Canada’s physical activity guidelines, is accessible to young and old alike, and burns more calories than many other physical activities. However, safety concerns pose a barrier to cycling, as thousands of Ontario cyclists are injured each year.” (OMA August, 2011)

7. Education Ontario Medical Association Report (August 2011): • “Enhancing Cycling Safety in Ontario” • The provincial government to develop policy and programs, including funding, to facilitate safe cycling, and for municipal governments to redouble their efforts to build much-needed cycling infrastructure; • Connected networks of roads with paved shoulders in rural settings, to allow for the much needed separation between cyclists and fast-travelling vehicles on rural roads; • The Ontario Drivers’ Manual to be revised to include a comprehensive section on vehicle-bicycle interaction, and furthermore that the Ontario’s Drive Test include this in the examination of new drivers;  

8. Education Ontario Medical Association Report (August 2011): • Ongoing delivery of bicycle safety education for young children and that such training be mandatory for all Ontario primary school students; • Education material for both drivers and cyclists that emphasizes intersection-specific dangers. • Full report: https://www.oma.org/Resources/Documents/OMACyclingPaper09-08-2011.pdf

9. Education/Awareness Programs

10. Motorists/Cyclists: Education/Enforcement • “Share the Road” program • Objectives: • Improve drivers' and cyclists' knowledge and observance of traffic rules as they apply to cycling. • Proactive solution • Reduce conflicts and collisions between motorists and cyclists. • Increase respect and courtesy between motorists and cyclists. • Increase understanding of rights/responsibilities

11. Motorists/Cyclists: Education/Enforcement • Halton Regional Police Service (Pilot 2011) • Six collisions; one fatality 2010 • Meeting with Cycling Clubs (2010) • Three phases • Pilot expansion 2012: • Schools: Drive With Care Pledge • Cycling Community: Ride With Care Pledge

12. Mass Marketing Initiative • Supported by data; requested by active transportation/safety professionals across Ontario • Driver’s handbook needs updating, nothing on exam/training • Proven effective in behavior modification • Model: “Drive Alive, Drive Sober”

13. Education/Awareness: Motorists/cyclists • Multi-media marketing/advertising campaign (internet, radio, television, print) • PSAs: 2012 (Target) • Partners include CAA • Law enforcement participation

14. Data/Analysis

15. Analysis • Rural Roads and Highways – 44% of cyclist fatalities occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. • Conspicuity – 30% of cyclist fatalities occurred at night or in artificial lighting conditions. • Common violations: • Intersections • Unsafe passing • Cycling at night without adequate lighting • Cyclists on the sidewalk

16. Final thoughts: education/enforcement • Increased support for education and awareness is critical at all ages – especially children • Healthy habits for life • Partnership with Green Communities Canada: Wheeling to School project and Bicycle Education Project for Ontario • 1971: 85%; Now: 14.5% -- children • Ideally: road safety, cycling back in the curriculum

17. Final thoughts: education/enforcement • Traffic rule violations by cyclists reduce respect for cycling • Can result in public policies that prohibit or discourage cycling under certain conditions • Traffic rule violations by motorists discourage people from cycling.

18. Final thoughts: education/enforcement • Need to close the “Education Gap” • Education programs, mass marketing will help • Legislative changes: one meter/ “safe passing” law • Another possibility: alternative sentencing -- Diversion programs? • A number of US states have these now i.e. Florida; Portland Oregon has a diversion program for cyclists • First-time offenders can avoid conviction, lower fine

19. Thank you… We look forward to working with you in Building A Bicycle Friendly Ontario!