Cycling in Québec : From Hollydays to Every Day Marc Panneton, Urban Planner Bicycle Coordinator Ministère des Transports du Québec Pro Walk Pro Bike 2002 Seattle, WA
Presentation Summary The 1995 cycling policy Route Verte Overview and perspectives Revised cycling policy Consolidation of the Route Verte Discussion
Québec s weather Québec City April 17, 2008 Montréal City June 2 nd, 2008
1995 Cycling Policy (1/3) Ministerial Policy (MTQ and SAAQ) Objectives : Promoting highway safety; Improving transportation systems; Encouraging cycling as a means of transportation.
1995 Cycling Policy (2/3) Publication of design standards (1996) Publication of Traffic Control Devices (1999), including an off-print (2001 and 2008) Participation in the Vélo Québec Association s 2nd edition of the Technical Handbook of Bikeway Design
1995 Cycling Policy (3/3) Investments in the highway system : 1517 km (945 miles) of bikeways (mainly paved shoulders) $78.8 M between 1996 and 2007 ($6.6 M/year)
Route verte (1/3) An original Vélo Québec idea National cycle network adopted by the Québec government in June 1995 Mandate entrusted to the MTQ Project management entrusted to Vélo Québec Association
Route verte (2/3) Route verte development programme ($22.7 M in subsidies for over 830 miles) Route verte maintenance programme ($1.6 M in 2008-2009 for 1320 miles) Project intended for tourism, accidently for commuting
2007
Route verte (3/3) Inaugurated in 2007 Media coverage 312 articles 281 press reports Destination RV07 3000 miles, 23 press briefings International mobile Forum 9 invited guests 5 forums 200 participants
Overview and Perspectives (1/6)
Overview and Perspectives (2/6) Road accidents with cyclists involved 1990-1994 2001-2006 Cyclist s death 32 18 Total accidents 3593 2529
12,6 0,9 QC
Overview and Perspectives (3/6) 34 % of cyclists used bicycles as a means of transportation in 2005 (21 % in 1995); Stable modal cycling share in the Origin/Destination surveys: 1.2 % for Montréal Census Metropolitain Area; 1.6 % for Montréal island; 6.5 % for the Plateau Mont-Royal.
Overview and Perspectives (4/6)
Overview and Perspectives (5/6) Modal share for cycling in other parts of the world : Munich : 15 % The Netherlands : 25 % Copenhagen : 36 % Proportion of cyclists elsewhere in North America: Québec : 44 % Ontario and British Columbia: 30 % USA : 27 %
Overview and Perspectives (6/6) The Route verte contributes to Québec s cycling image
Revised Cycling Policy (1/5) Scope : Ministère des transports Société de l assurance automobile du Québec Agence métropolitaine de transport Commission de transport du Québec Société des traversiers du Québec
Revised Cycling Policy(2/5) The bicycle as a means of transportation 50 % cycling modal share 10 % of the population use bicycles frequently 10 % share of bicycle trips for utilitarian purposes Highway Safety 30 % in the number of deaths and serious accidents Improvement of transportation systems 30 % km of bikeways
Revised Cycling Policy(3/5) New wording : Encourage and support municipal efforts in urban development and transportation planning that favour efficient and safe bicycling Ensure the complementary nature of the Route Verte, the regional bicycle touring networks and the local urban bikeways networks
Revised Cycling Policy(4/5) New wording (continued) : Taking the needs of cyclists into consideration in all MTQ s highway projects in order to contribute to the establishment of local, regional and national networks Encourage the establishment of bikeway networks in urban areas (active transportation)
Active transportation Governmental aid program for transportation alternatives to the automobile (Québec public transit policy) $11 M/year for 5 years allocated for active transportation Financed with $200 M/year from the Green Fund (approx. 3 /g. out of 5,50$/g.)
Active transportation $8 M/year for cycling and pedestrian improvements (50% subsidized) Active mobility plan Bikeways Shortcut for cyclists and pedestrians Traffic calming on routes to schools Upgrading to recognized design standards Bike parking (public) 2 M$/year for the employer Programme (TDM) 1 M$/year for promotional activities
Revised Cycling Policy(5/5) New wording (continued): Encourage the consolidation of the Route Verte and the regional cycling networks in order to promote bicycle touring in all regions in Quebec
Consolidation of the Route verte (1/1) Complete Phase I Begin Phase II (consolidation): Expansion that is in keeping with the original parameters Improve existing sections Support the development of regional cycling networks
Discussion