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Active Transportation Sub Committee

December 2015 - Formerly known as Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee

Overview · Membership · Minutes/Agendas · Reports/Documents · Contact

Mandate

The Active Transportation Sub Committee (formerly Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee) is an advisory arm of Regional Council whose purpose is to provide input on cycling issues, projects, policies and programs that promote safe bicycling for all ages as a means of sustainable transportation, recreation, and tourism.

Vision

To establish and have Niagara Region recognized as the premier bicycle-friendly community in Ontario, where cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle in safe and enjoyable environments for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes.

Mission

The Active Transportation Sub Committee is a public advisory committee to Regional Council whose purpose is to promote and encourage the development of safe cycling opportunities within Niagara through consultation, cooperation and partnerships. Members provide input and advice on cycling issues, projects, policies and programs that:

  • Support a comprehensive Niagara Transportation Strategy and ensures smart land use
  • Promotes and encourages cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle
  • Fosters environmental sustainability, tourism and economic opportunities throughout Niagara

Areas of Strategic Focus

There are three main areas of focus for the Active Transportation Sub Committee:

  1. Active Transportation Sub Committee will work towards the implementation of Council's approved Regional Bikeways Network to ensure dedicated space for cyclists, including the implementation of a bicycle signage plan.
  2. The Active Transportation Sub Committee will assist Niagara municipalities and other stakeholders with the development and implementation of relevant planning documents, inclusive of land use and active sustainable transportation plans that support enhanced infrastructure (inter-connected, multi-modal pathways and trails - both on and off-road, facilities such as bike storage / parking at destinations and on buses, etc.) for walking and cycling.
  3. The Active Transportation Sub Committee will maintain and expand its partnerships with other local, provincial and bi-national groups and communities to facilitate and promote cycling for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes through education, encouragement and outreach activities for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

These strategic directions are aligned with several Provincial and Regional policy papers including:

  • Provincial Policy Statement released in 2005
  • Provincial Growth Plan (June 2006)
  • Ontario's Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living (2007)
  • Niagara Smart Growth principles (2001 Report)
  • Regional Niagara Bikeways Master Plan (2005)
  • Model Urban Design Guidelines
  • Regional Chairman's Leadership Round Table Report on Obesity Prevention (2006)

All of these highlight the importance of developing communities where it is easy to utilize alternate forms of transportation such as walking and cycling (RNBC Report on Strategic Planning Issues and Process, November 2007).

Work Plan

The Active Transportation Sub Committee and its task forces will develop an annual work plan identifying the specific initiatives and activities to be undertaken within each of the areas of focus, inclusive of budget needs, to further guide decision-making and resource management.

Committee Structure

To fulfill its mandate, the Active Transportation Sub Committee will establish task force and ad hoc working groups to deal with specific issues or projects. Task Force and Ad Hoc working groups will meet as needed to review specific issues referred to them by the Active Transportation Sub Committee and otherwise complete their assigned tasks.

Task Force and Ad Hoc working groups must be comprised of at least two Active Transportation Sub Committee members and may include community members and other individuals with relevant knowledge and expertise. Local municipal participation should be sought depending on the nature of the work being undertaken.

Task force and ad hoc working groups shall be chaired where possible by a voting member of the Active Transportation Sub Committee and shall provide regular updates to the Active Transportation Sub Committee regarding recommendations on assigned projects. Written reports shall be submitted upon request.

Further to Item 2.4, Task Force and Ad Hoc working groups are responsible for developing annual work plans and budget estimates for the consideration and approval of the Regional Niagara Active Transportation Sub Committee and Regional Council through the Planning and Development Committee and Public Works Committee.

Task Forces

Task Forces are considered to be standing sub-committees of the Active Transportation Sub Committee in that they oversee projects and tasks that are ongoing or long-term in nature. The Task Forces created by the Active Transportation Sub Committee include:

  1. Network
  2. Policy Planning
  3. Education and Encouragement

Ad Hoc Working Groups

Ad Hoc working groups are considered to be time-limited, project specific sub-committees of the Active Transportation Sub Committee in that they are convened to accomplish a specific task or tasks in a narrowly defined time period. These working groups may require highly specific expertise and/or representation from two or more of the Active Transportation Sub Committee Task Forces. Examples of Ad Hoc working groups could include, but are not limited to:

  1. Membership Recruitment/Selection
  2. Terms of Reference Review
  3. Bicycle Map Initiative
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