April 17, 2018 (Toronto. Ont.) – Upwards of four in ten Ontarians – enough to elect a majority government – say they are likely to vote for provincial candidates if they make public commitments to fund cycling infrastructure, according to a poll released this week. The Share the Road Cycling Coalition commissioned the poll, which was conducted by Nanos Research.

“Ontarians have spoken clearly about cycling,” said Jamie Stuckless, Executive Director of Share the Road. “We are telling all political parties that our goal of new and improved cycling infrastructure will be a game changer in this spring’s election.”

The poll will officially be released this Wednesday on the final day of the 10th Annual Ontario Bike Summit, which runs Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17 and 18. It will be held at the Toronto Centre InterContinental Hotel at 225 Front Street West.

In addition to the release of the poll on Wednesday, the keynote breakfast will feature remarks from Transportation Minister Kathryn McGarry.

The poll indicates that 6 per cent of respondents – representing more than 650,000 people – cycle “every day or almost every day.” That is up from 4 per cent in 2014.

“With a growing number of people cycling daily, investments in safe cycling are more important than ever before,” said Stuckless.

The idea that the Government of Ontario should invest in a new cycling education program – much like swimming lessons – was strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with by 61 per cent.

The poll also found that 41 per cent would prefer to ride a bicycle more often than they already do, with 74 per cent saying that if they did, they would definitely or probably ride recreationally.

“While recent provincial investments have been made in commuter cycling, we also see real growth potential for investments in recreational trails,” said Stuckless.

Cycling to or from work was cited by 32 per cent as something they would definitely or probably like to do more of.

“Representing almost 3.5 million Ontarians, these people have enormous potential to reduce congestion on our roads if cycling was a safe transportation choice for them,” said Stuckless.

Share the Road Cycling Coalition, 1070 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1B4 www.sharetheroad.ca Page 1

The April 2018 Nanos Research study found the following:

– 42 per cent of Ontarians strongly agree or somewhat agree they are more likely to vote for a candidate who makes a public commitment to fund new cycling infrastructure, compared to 20 per cent who strongly disagree or somewhat disagree;

– 67 per cent strongly agree or somewhat agree that the provincial government should invest in cycling infrastructure;

– 70 per cent strongly support or somewhat support making it more convenient to take their bikes on buses; and

– Nine out of 10 do not believe municipalities do a “very good” job at investing in adequate infrastructure for cycling.

“Ontarians clearly see the need for more cycling safety efforts,” said Stuckless.

10th Annual Ontario Bike Summit

One other highlight of the Summit will be the Share the Road’s Awards Dinner on Tuesday at 6 pm. It is being sponsored by The Co-operators.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dale Bracewell, Manager of Transportation Planning at the City of Vancouver.

Speakers will also include the Members of Provincial Parliament who serve as co-chairs of the Provincial All Party Cycling Caucus – Treasury Board President Eleanor McMahon, Norm Miller and Michael Mantha.

Sponsors of the summit include the 10th Anniversary Sponsor WSP Canada as well as The Co-operators, the Government of Ontario, Develotech, the Canadian Automobile Association (South Central Ontario), Uber Canada, Urban Systems, GGI Road & Traffic, Alta Planning + Design and IBI Group.

About Share the Road

Share the Road is a provincial non-profit organization working to build a bicycle-friendly Ontario. We work in partnership with municipal, provincial and federal governments, the business community, road safety organizations and other non-profits to enhance access for bicyclists on roads and trails, improve safety for all bicyclists and educate citizens on the value and importance of safe bicycling for healthy lifestyles and healthy.

About the poll

Nanos conducted an online survey of 1,004 Ontarians, 18 years of age or older, between April 5th and 10th, 2018. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Ontario.

The full report can be found here: http://www.nanos.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-1126-Cycling- Populated-Report-with-Tabs-April-16.pdf