THE FEDERAL ROLE IN BUILDING A BIKE-FRIENDLY CANADA
The Government of Canada has a major role to play given its responsibilities in many policy and legislative areas that significantly affect the quality, safety, and affordability of cycling. Maximizing the potential benefits requires coordinated planning and action from all levels of government.
Supporting substantial increases in bicycling of all types across Canada will constitute a simultaneous investment in fighting climate change, promoting health and equity, and boosting low-carbon tourism and small business. Furthermore, investing in bicycling is economically efficient and demonstrated to result in strong overall returns.
We have outlined 9 areas in which leadership from the federal government is key.
We are calling on the federal government to work with provincial and territorial governments, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Assembly of First Nations and additional stakeholders to develop a coordinated, evidence-based action plan tailored to maximizing current and future investments in cycling by all levels of government.
The report outlines 5 specific recommendations for immediate action.
This report was commissioned with the financial support of The Co-operators Insurance and the SRAM Cycling Fund.