The creation of a cycling advisory committee, an active transportation master plan and community rides led by volunteers has helped Brampton land bike-friendly status.

“Brampton will continue work to improve and advance opportunities for cycling. Making it easier to walk and cycle in Brampton supports the strategic plan vision for a connected city that is innovative, inclusive and bold and is a fundamental element for building complete communities,” said Regional Coun. Martin Medeiros, member of the cycling advisory committee.

At the Ontario Bike Summit awards earlier this month, the city achieved a bronze status designation, which recognizes that a community has initiated several initiatives that promote a cycling culture.

In recent years, the city has made investments in building a bicycle-friendly community, and championing bicycling as a safe, healthy means of recreation and transportation.

The establishment of the Brampton cycling advisory committee, a citizen-led group that advises and advocates for cycling-supportive legislation and policies, is among initiatives undertaken at the local government level that landed the designation from the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, a provincial cycling advocacy organization.

The addition of a full-time staff position (active transportation project manager) charged with the development and implementation of active transportation initiatives is another initiative, as is drafting a strategy for building a comprehensive cycling and pedestrian network across the city.

On hand to accept the award April 12 were members of the Brampton cycling advisory committee and BikeBrampton, a local cycling advocacy group that promotes increased safe recreation and transportation cycling. David Laing, BikeBrampton chair, said while more work on the cycling front needs to be done, achieving bronze status is an important step in building up active transportation in this city.

“This is the reason we started BikeBrampton four years ago,” said Laing. “The City of Brampton has made much progress and this is an important milestone that demonstrates Brampton is serious about supporting and encouraging active and healthy living.”

