Web Stats 
The purpose of the current study is to develop a long-term plan to guide the implementation of a system of bikeways in the Region of Niagara based on improvements to current bikeways and recommendations for new on and off-road bikeway facilities.
The BMPS will also compile inventories, identify implementation issues, analyze alternative methods of addressing those issues and evaluate alternate guidelines for implementing the network. It will also recommend methods to integrate those guidelines into planned improvements and rights-of ways standards for the arterial and local road systems. In addition, it will review the current bikeway plan review, design and approval process and provide recommendations on how this process can be improved.
Included in the final report will be a clear set of recommendations regarding bikeway design guidelines for Niagara Region as well as route and bikeway facility selection criteria, and the proposed Regional Niagara Bikeways Network Plan. A key outcome of the study will be a recommended implementation strategy that will include network route and program priorities, associated cost estimates, and a clear decision-making process to guide the implementation of the Plan over the next 20 years.
History of Bicycle Planning In Niagara
A Regional Bicycling Study was completed in January 1995 recommending a Regional Niagara Bicycling Master Plan. That document identified a region wide network, proposed a number of policies for increasing opportunities and enhancing safety for cycling and recommended a strategy for implementing the study proposals. The Regional Bicycling Committee was established to provide advice on the implementation of the Regional Niagara Bicycling Master Plan.
The 1995 Regional Bicycling Study recommended both a short term and a long-term strategy for implementing the Bicycling Master Plan. The recommend strategies were to include: creation of a cycling committee; establishing priorities and a financial plan for the next five years, periodically reviewing the network and policies, adjusting the network for local conditions constraints and developing local plans to tie into the network. The Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee now makes recommendations on the implementation of the bikeway network.
In November of 2000 Regional Council approved Regional Policy Plan Amendment 149 designating the Regional Niagara Bicycling Network and a set of objectives and policies governing the establishment of the bicycle network.
In May of 2001, GMK2000 consultants submitted a draft report on issues associated with the policies and practices for retrofitting bikeways on arterial roads. That study concluded that a comprehensive review of the Regional Bicycling Master Plan was required.
Currently, the Niagara Parks Commission, the Province and several local municipalities have developed or are planning a number of on and off-road bikeways. The Niagara Parks system covers the length of the Niagara River and incorporates a mostly off-road trail parallel to the Niagara Parkway. The Region and the RNBC are also moving forward to complete the Greater Niagara Circle Route, a trail loop that connects a number of local municipalities along the present and historic Welland Canal and related trails.
The Vision for the Future
When completed in the Fall of 2002, the Bikeways Master Plan will build upon current cycling and trail efforts by the Region, Local Municipalities and the Niagara Parks Commission. As the Plan is implemented, the Regional bikeways network will foster an increase in local bicycle commuting and recreational cycling, while enhancing Niagara Region's role as one of the premier tourist destinations in North America.
Draft Final Report - September, 2003
- Executive Summary / Table of Contents [1MB]
- Chapter 1 - Introduction [2.3MB]
- Chapter 2 - Direction [496KB]
- Chapter 3 - Context [176KB]
- Chapter 4 - Cycling in Niagara Region [256KB]
- Chapter 5 - Network (56K modem download time: 40 min.) [8.8MB]
- Chapter 6 - Regional Niagara Planning and Design Guidelines (56K modem download time: 30 min.) [4MB]
- Chapter 7 - Outreach [178KB]
- Chapter 8 - Implementation (56K modem download time: 20 min.) [4.7MB]
- Chapter 9 - Recommendations and Policies [204KB]
- Appendix A - Feb. 2002 Newsletter [676KB]
- Appendix B - Network Implementation Costs [224KB]
- Appendix C - Supporting Documents [768KB]
2002 Intercept Survey
- Survey Form [37KB]
- Survey Results [380KB]
Bikeway Master Plan Newsletters
- November 2001, Issue 1 [185KB]
- February 2002, Issue 2 [783KB]
Public Workshop #1 - January 23, 2002
- Open House Agenda [143KB]
- Comment Form [150KB]
- Why Undertake a Bikeways Master Plan Study? [66KB]
- BMPS Goals & Objectives [70KB]
- BMPS Process:
- Phase 1 & 2 [73KB]
- Phase 3 & 4 [82KB]
- Cycling Principles [54KB]
Public Workshop #2 - June 27, 2002
- Public Notice [65KB]
- Comment Form [119KB]
- Purpose of Study [337KB]
- Goals & Objectives [3MB]
- Guiding Principles [312KB]
- Public Attitude Survey [324KB]
- Draft Network [886KB]
- Typical Bikeway Types [5.5MB]
2001 Cycling Survey:
- Purpose, Methods & Definitions [69KB]
- Results 1 [68KB] | Results 2 [65KB]
- Conclusions [73KB]