2013 Ontario Cycling Statistics
In late May, 2013, the Share the Road Coalition released polling data, which supports its campaigns to implement better cycling infrastructure and education in Ontario. While its press release targets the Toronto area where congestion has reached epic proportions, the information nevertheless highlights that many Ontario adults want better and safer cycling.
The poll was conducted by Strategic Communications Inc. of Toronto with a representative sample of 1523 adult Ontario residents over the period of May 14 to 17th, 2013.
Interesting quotes:
“The annual poll surveys Ontarians’ attitudes towards bicycling, asks them how often they cycle, and solicits their opinions on how governments – provincial and municipal – should work to encourage bicycling in municipalities and provincially.
The 2013 results show that Ontario is at a tipping point when it comes to Ontarians’ support for cycling infrastructure and education. It also shows that there is a significant pent up demand across the province by people to bicycle more.”
Of interest to Sudbury cyclists:
- Over 600,000 Ontarians are cycling daily
- Active transportation is the most cost-effective transportation option available to Toronto. At Toronto costs, they could build 4,500 kilometers of new walking and cycling infrastructure for the same cost as building 18 kilometers of new roads.
- 5.1 per cent of Ontarians say they ride a bike daily or almost daily, up from 4 percent in 2012.
- 31.2 per cent of Ontarians report riding weekly or monthly up from 28 per cent.
- A majority of Ontarians – 68 per cent — would prefer to cycle more often. This number is up from the 58 per cent of Ontarians surveyed in 2012.
- 70 per cent of Ontarians believe that cyclists need more bike lanes or paved shoulders and 78 per cent believe that more people would cycle if there was more and better cycling infrastructure.
- 76 per cent of Ontarians agree that “cycling gets people out of their cars, means fewer cars on the road, and provides more transit choices and that is a good reason for provincial support of cycling in Ontario”.
- 73 per cent agree that health benefits and reduced healthcare costs for Ontario and that is a good reason for provincial support of cycling in Ontario.
- 71% agree that cyclists are taxpayers too, have a right to use the roads, and a portion of provincial funding to roads should be earmarked to meet cyclists’ needs.
- 89 per cent believe that the Ontario government should fund local active school travel efforts, including the development of school travel plans for schools across the province.
The whole press release here: Share the Road Poll
MTO should be aware of these statistics since they are involved in the development of a Cycling Route network across the Province .
MTO is well aware of these yearly stats! They’ve been working with the Share the Road Coalition and local groups on the provincial cycling route network.