Cycling Master Plan

About the Cycling Master Plan

We are creating a Cycling Master Plan that will identify strategies to improve and grow cycling in the City of Peterborough. More details are provided at the bottom of this section. Note that we have new information posted in the documents section:

• Background report - provides information on the current status of cycling in the City, describes reports that feed into the Cycling Master Plan, provides a summary of the first public engagement in the summer of 2020
  
• Case Studies Summary - We have looked at several cities with high rates of cycling that are similar to Peterborough. The longer report will be available soon - for now, take a look at this summary.
• Results from Public Engagement #1 - This report provides the results from the survey and on-line interactive map. The input received will guide the development of the vision, goals and cycling network. Thank you for your input!

Proposed Extension of George Street Cycling Lanes

As part of the Cycling Master Plan, we are investigating the feasibility of extending the George Street cycling lanes from Lake Street to Lansdowne Street. Cycling lanes were identified as a priority on George Street in the 2012 Cycling Network Plan and are now in place from Hilliard Street to Lake Street.

The most economical time to install cycling lanes or change the way a street is laid out, is when new asphalt is placed on the street. George Street is being micro-surfaced in 2021, so the City is examining the options available within the existing curbs. This project will not involve any changes to the trees, sidewalks, driveways or boulevards if approved.

The image below shows how the cycling lanes would be configured. In the warmer months, separators such as curbs and flexible bollards could provide more protection for cyclists. With cycling lanes, no parking would be permitted on either side of the street.

A public consultation took place from November 24 to December 15 including letters to the neighbourhood, information in the media and a public survey. The cycling lanes would be installed in 2021 if approved by City Council. A report to City Council is planned for this winter.

More About the Cycling Master Plan

We are striving to become a more bicycle friendly city, one where people feel safe and welcome to bicycle to destinations and for recreation. The Cycling Master Plan will:

1. Identify strategies to improve the current silver bicycle friendly rating of the City to gold or platinum.
2. Review and update the Cycling Network in the 2012 Comprehensive Transportation Plan, incorporating changes and new opportunities for cycling infrastructure, including an infrastructure development and prioritization strategy
3. Develop functional design concepts for streets where work is planned in the near future.
4. Provide recommendations and cost estimates for a maintenance program to encourage year-round cycling.
5. Develop design standards for cycling infrastructure that is informed by best practices for cyclist safety.
6. Include a multi-year action plan with a list of priority projects for the next 5 years to implement the most strategic components of the plan.
7. Identify effective programming to increase the visibility and acceptance of cycling as a preferred choice of travel mode.

The Cycling Master Plan will feed into the update of the City's Transportation Plan, which will be taking place at the same time. We will look at ways to grow and support the use of regular bikes and e-bikes including infrastructure needs, policies, programming and design standards.

We are seeking input into the development of the plan to help guide the vision of cycling in the City, identify infrastructure and programming needs and to prioritize projects. Along the way, we will report back on our findings and recommendations. We will also be using case studies to show what works in other communities following an evidence-based approach.