Since 2001, the Clean Air Council (CAC), a network of 27 municipalities and health units from across the Greater Toronto, Hamilton and Southern Ontario area have been working collaboratively on the development and implementation of clean air and climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. One of the priority actions in the CAC’s 2015-2018 Inter-Governmental Declaration on Clean Air & Climate Change is to monitor and report on the progress of active transportation (AT) plans across CAC member municipalities.
The Active Transportation Plan Scan for the Clean Air Council features a categorized scan of the adopted AT plans within all 27 CAC member municipalities, as well as eight additional selected Canadian municipalities (e.g. Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver), and regional (Metrolinx) and provincial (Ministry of Transportation) plans. The majority (74%) of the CAC member municipalities have either an AT or bicycle plan. Of those that do not, one is under development (Halton), and three (Aurora, Brampton, Caledon) have trails master plans which are primarily for recreation, not transportation.
The AT scan was conducted between May 2015 and November 2015, consisting of a comprehensive search for adopted active transportation plans within the CAC member municipalities and other selected jurisdictions. Documents included in the scan were AT plans, bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, recreational trails plans, as well as the AT sections of Transportation Master Plans. The plans were then analyzed and the information categorized, specifically in relation to the following:
- AT mode share targets
- AT injury/fatality targets
- AT infrastructure targets
- AT outreach targets
The scan focused on targets because they provide specific and achievable performance levels that can be monitored and benchmarked with other jurisdictions. This is an area for improvement for most Canadian AT plans. Of the 36 jurisdictions included in the scan, 26 have AT plans and the majority (78%) of these plans include at least one target type, typically AT infrastructure targets. However, only four jurisdictions (East Gwillimbury, Guelph, Oakville, Richmond Hill) included all four of the target types in their plans.
The results are displayed in two charts below. The first chart provides an overview of the plans, while the second provides more detailed information.
| Location | General Description | Plan Name | Date Plan Adopted or Last Updated | Duration | AT Mode Share Targets | AT Injury/Fatality Targets | AT Infrastructure Targets | AT Outreach Targets | Related Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Town of Ajax | The township of Ajax is located in the Durham Region. It has a population of 109,600 (2011) and a land area of 67.09 square kilometers. | Walkable + Bikeable Ajax: The Ajax Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan | March 29 2010 | 10 years or more | • 62 km of sidewalks • 63 km of trails • 47 km of bike lanes • 13 km of bicycle priority streets and marked shared-use lane • 45 upgraded street crossings • 1.8 km of special treatments and streetscaping in Pickering Village and the Town Centre • 13 km of Improvements along corridors and pedestrian priority corridors • two new Highway 401 crossings • two improved Highway 401 crossings. | Ajax Active Transportation Webpage | |||
Town of Ajax | Transportation Master Plan Update (TMP) | February 2013 | 10 years or more | A mode share target of 30% for trips by transit, cycling and walking in the AM peak period within the time horizon of this TMP update. Currently, 20% of trips during the AM peak period are taken by transit and active transportation. | Walkable + Bikeable Ajax Map | ||||
Town of Aurora | The Town of Aurora is located in the Region of York. It has a population of 53,203 (2011) and a land area of 49.78 square kilometers. | Town of Aurora Trails Master Plan | November 2011 | 10 years or more | • 100.2 km of soft surface multi-use trails (78.3 proposed km and 21.9 existing km) • 0.7 km of hard surface multi-use trails • 7.2 km of special use trails • 23.2 km of in-road boulevard bike paths (14 proposed km and 9.2 existing km) • 7.9 km of Nokiidaa trail • 22.8 km of Oak Ridges Moraine Trail | Town of Aurora Parks and Trails Webpage | |||
City of Brampton | The City of Brampton is located in the Region of Peel. It has a population of 523,911 (2011) and a land area of 266.8 square kilometers. | Transportation and Transit Master Plan (TTMP) 2009 | November 2009 | 10 years or more | • The TTMP has a 2016 mode share target of 6.6% for walking and cycling during the PM peak period. • The TTMP has a 2021 mode share target of 8.0% for walking and cycling during the PM peak period. | City of Brampton Parks and Trails Webpage | |||
City of Burlington | The City of Burlington is located in the Halton Region. It has a population of 175,779 (2011) and a land area of 185.7 square kilometers. | Cycling Master Plan (CMP) | June 2009 | 10 years or more | • 114 km of bike lanes (78 proposed km and 36 existing km) • 3 km of signed routes (0 proposed km and 3 existing km) • 103 km of pathways (includes multi-use pathways) (61 proposed km and 42 existing km) • 50 km of bicycle priority streets ( 50 proposed km and 0 existing km) • 63 km of paved shoulders (63 proposed km and 0 existing km) | City of Burlington Cycling Webpage | |||
Town of Caledon | The Town of Caledon is located in the regional municipality of Peel. It has a population of 59,460 (2011) and a land area of 688.15 square kilometers. | Caledon Trails Master Plan | 2014 | N/A | Town of Caledon Cycling Webpage | ||||
City of Clarington | The City of Clarington is located in the regional municipality of Durham. It has a population of 84,548 (2011) and a land area of 611.30 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | City of Clarington Cycling Webpage | ||||
Regional Municipality of Durham | The Regional municipality of Durham is located in Southern Ontario, east of Toronto, Ontario. It has a population of 608,124 (2011) and a land area of 2,523.62 square kilometers. | Regional Cycling Plan | November 2012 | 10 years or more | • 129.5 km of Multi-use Blvd. paths (4.4 km of previously approved km and 125.1 km of proposed km) • 37.2 km of Paved Shoulder (1.3 of previously approved km and 35.9 km of proposed km) • 19.3 km of buffered cycling lanes | Durham Cycling Webpage | |||
Town of East Gwillimbury | The Town of East Gwillimbury is located in the northern part of York Region. It has a population of 22,473 (2011) and a land area of 245 square kilometers. | Cycling and Walking Plan | June 2012 | 10 years or more | • Mode share target of 10-15% for all town residents commuting to work primarily by walking or cycling. The existing mode share is 2.7% (2006 census). • Mode share target of 90% for children walking, cycling or taking transit to school in East Gwillimbury. | • 83.2 km of signed bike routes (81.52 proposed km and 1.68 existing km) • 76.73 km of multi-use trails (53.46 proposed km and 23.27 existing km) • 80.69 km of desire lines (80.69 proposed km and 0 existing km) • 26.83 km of bike lanes (25.57 proposed km and 1.26 existing km) • • 5.91 km of foot paths (0 proposed km and 5.91 existing km) • 9.98 km of York Region forest trails (0 proposed km and 9.98 existing km) • 2.14 km of local neighbourhood connectors (0 proposed km and 2.14 existing km) | Outreach target of 100% for schools participating in pedestrian or bicycle safety education programs or events. | East Gwillimbury Trails Map | |
City of Guelph | The City of Guelph is located just 100 km west of the City of Toronto. It has a population of 141,097 (2011) and a land area of 593.52 square kilometers. | Cycling Master Plan | February 2012 | 10 years or more | 2022 mode share target of 3% for all trips in the city to be conducted by a bicycle. | • Between 2007-2010, there has been an average of 38-reported cyclist collisions. The plan calls for a 10% reduction per year per capita-cyclist. • The cycling master plan also calls for no fatalities per 10,000 cyclists. | • 127 km of on-road cycling facilities (lanes, shared-use lanes and signed routes) • At least 10 signed bicycle routes • Up to 10 city-wide (both city-owned and privately) long-term bicycle parking facilities | • 7000 updated cycling maps between 2013-2016 • 6 types of educational material for distribution to public | Guelph Cycling Webpage |
Regional Municipality of Halton | The Regional Municipality of Halton is a region located southwest part of the Greater Toronto Area. It has a population of 518,311 (2013) and a land area of 964 square kilometers. | The Road to Change | 2011 | 10 years or more | 5% modal split target for Active Transportation by 2031 as identified in the Halton’s transportation plan. | Cycling & Walking in Halton | |||
Town of Halton Hills | The Town of Halton Hills is located in the regional municipality of Halton. It has a population of 59,008 (2011) and a land area of 276.3 square kilometers. | Town of Halton Hills Cycling Master Plan | December 2010 | 10 years or more | • 34.9 km of bike lanes • 156.5 km of paved shoulders (156.5 proposed km and 0 existing km) • 6.2 km of edge lines (0 proposed km and 6.2 existing km) • 70.3 km of signed routes • 71.5 km of multi-use trails | Halton Hills Cycling Map | |||
City of Hamilton | The City of Hamilton is a port city in the province of Ontario. It has a population of 519,949 (2011) and a land area of 1117.23 square kilometers. | Shifting Gears 2009 | June 2009 | 10 years or more | • 214.5 km of multi-use trails (82 proposed km and 132.5 existing km) • 566 km of bike lanes (462 proposed km and 104 existing km) • 440 km of paved shoulders (423 proposed km and 17 existing km) • 204 km of shared on-street (signed) (31 proposed km and 173 existing km) | Hamilton Biking and Cycling Webpage |
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City of Hamilton | Hamilton Transportation Master Plan | May 2007 | 10 years or more | Based on 2001 data, 6% of daily trips are made by walking or cycling, The transportation master plan has set a 10% mode share target by 2011 and a target of 15% between 2021-2031. | |||||
Township of King | King is a township located in the regional municipality of York. It has a population of 19,899 (2011) and a land area of 333.30 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||
City of London | London is a Canadian city located in Southwestern Ontario. It has a population of 474,786 (2011) and a land area of 2,665.62 square kilometers. | 2030 Transportation Master Plan: Smart Moves | May 2013 | 10 years or more | 15% citywide modal split target for active transportation. | City of London Bike and Walk Map |
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City of Markham | The City of Markham is located in York Region. It has a population of 301,709 (2011) and a land area of 212.5 square kilometers. | Cycling Master Plan | March 2010 | 10 years or more | • 61.39 km of signed bike routes • 48.19 km of bike lanes • 18.74 km of paved shoulder bikeways • 12.56 km of multi-use trails • 26.94 km of multi-use trails (located in parks and/or hydro corridors) | Markham Cycling Map | |||
City of Mississauga | The City of Mississauga is located in the regional municipality of Peel. It has a population of 713,444 (2011) and a land area of 292.4 square kilometers. | Mississauga Cycling Master Plan: Shifting Gears for a Healthier City. | September 2010 | 10 years or more | • 250 km of bicycle lanes, shared use lanes, multi-use trails on primary routes (202 proposed km and 48 existing km) • 350 km of bicycle lanes, shared use lanes, sharrows, signed route / edge lines on secondary routes (250 proposed km and 100 existing km) • 291 km of off-road multi-use trails (89 proposed km and 202 existing km) | Mississauga Cycling and Trails Webpage | |||
City of Montreal | Montreal is the largest city located in the province of Quebec. It has a population of 3,824,221 (2011) and a land area of 4,258,31 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||
Town of Newmarket | Newmarket is a town located in the regional municipality of York. It has a population of 79,979 (2011) and a land area of 38.33 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Town of Newmarket Trails and Bicycle Paths |
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City of North Vancouver | The City of North Vancouver is located on the north shore of Burrard Inlet. It has a population of 48,196 (2011) and a land area of 11.83 square kilometers. | North Vancouver Bicycle Master Plan 2012 | October 2012 | N/A | By 2030, 35% of all trips will be accomplished by walking, cycling or transit | City of North Vancouver Cycling Webpage | |||
Town of Oakville | The Town of Oakville is located in Halton Region. It has a population of 182,520 (2011) and a land area of 138.6 square kilometers. | Town of Oakville Active Transportation Master Plan | September 2009 | 10 years or more | • A mode share target of 13.5% for all town residents commuting to work primarily by walking or cycling. The current mode share is 4.1% (2006 census). • A mode share target of 90% for children walking or biking to school in Oakville. | • 142 km of multi-use trails (87.4 proposed km and 54.6 existing km) • 160.1 km of bike lanes (145.5 proposed km and 14.6 existing km) • 0.8 km of paved shoulder (0.8 proposed km and 0 existing km) • 156.2 km of signed bike routes (155 proposed km and 1.2 existing km)/p> • 1137 km of sidewalks (165.2 proposed km and 971.8 existing km) | Cycle, Walk Oakville Webpage | ||
City of Orillia | Orillia is a city located between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. It has a population of 40,731 (2011) and a land area of 458.55 square kilometers. | Active Transportation Plan | July 2012 | 10 years or more | • 120.37 km of multi-use trails (hard and soft) (28.40 proposed km and 54.91 existing km) • 14.24 km of bike lanes (13.35 proposed km and 0.89 existing km) • 6.06 km of paved shoulders (6.06 proposed km and 0 existing km) • 3.55 km of parks and open space trails (0 proposed km and 3.55 existing km) | City of Orillia Trails Webpage | |||
City of Oshawa | The City of Oshawa is located in southern Ontario, east of the City of Toronto. It has a population of 149,607 (2011) and a land area of 145.68 square kilometers. | Active Transportation Master Plan | Revised February 2015 | 10 years or more | • 29.2 km of signed only bicycle route • 2.3 km of signed only bicycle route with sharrows • 26.5 km of bicycle lane • 5.5 km of separated bicycle lane • 3.3 km of raised cycle track • 48.8 km of urban paved shoulder • 7.6 km of rural paved shoulder • 9.5 km of in-boulevard multi-use trail • | ||||
City of Ottawa | Ottawa, Canada’s capital city is located in Ontario at the border of Quebec City. It has a population of 883,391 (2011) and a land area of 2,790,22 square kilometers. | Ottawa Cycling Plan | November 2013 | 10 years or more | A 2031 cycling mode share target of 8% inside the Greenbelt and 5% citywide (i.e. the proportion of all AM peak period trips by bicycle) | • 853 km of spine routes (535 proposed km and 318 existing km) • 799 km of local routes (332 proposed km and 467 existing km) • 635 km of major pathways (235 proposed km and 401 existing km) • 242 km of minor pathways (25 proposed km and 217 existing km) | Ottawa Cycling Webpage | ||
City of Ottawa | Transportation Master Plan | November 2013 | 10 years or more | The Transportation Master Plan proposes a 2031 target of 10% for walking and 5% citywide for cycling. | |||||
City of Ottawa | Ottawa Pedestrian Plan | November 2013 | 10 years or more | In 2011, 9.5% of all morning peak period trips were made by walking. The Ottawa pedestrian plan has set a target of 10% for 2031. | |||||
Regional Municipality of Peel | The Region of Peel is located north west of the City of Toronto. It has a population of 1,296,814 (2011) and a land area of 1,247 square kilometers. | Active Transportation Plan | February 9, 2012 | 10 years or more | Currently, according to the 2006 transportation survey, 5% of Peel residents walk or bike to school and work. Over the next five years, the active transportation plan has set a target of 7% and will double to 10% in the longer term (after five years). | • 134 km of sidewalks (27 proposed km in Caledon, 80 proposed km in Brampton and 27 proposed km in Mississauga) • 265 of multi-use trails (11 proposed km in Caledon, 147 proposed km in Brampton, 107 proposed km in Mississauga) • 29 km of bike lanes (19 proposed km in Caledon, 4 proposed km in Brampton, 5 proposed km in Mississauga) • 138 km of paved shoulder (138 proposed km in Caledon) • 12 km of shared use signs and markings(12 proposed km in Caledon) • 27 km of pedestrian enhancements(1 proposed km in Caledon, 12 proposed km in Brampton, 14 proposed km in Mississauga) • 18 interchange improvements (9 proposed interchange improvements in Brampton, 9 proposed interchange improvements in Mississauga) • 4 trail crossings ( 4 proposed trail crossings in Mississauga, 0 existing) • 7 trail crossings improvements | |||
City of Peterborough | The City of Peterborough is located on the Otanabee River valley, 110 km northeast of the City of Toronto. It has a population of 118,975 (2011) and a land area of 1,506.90 square kilometers. | Comprehensive Transportation Plan | August 2012 | N/A | According to 2006 statistics, the city of Peterborough had a 6% cycling/walking mode share. This plan has set a 2031 target of 8% modal split for cycling/walking. | • 98 km of on-road cycling facilities • 86 km of off-road cycling facilities | City of Peterborough Walking and Cycling Webpage | ||
City of Pickering | The City of Pickering is located in the regional municipality of Durham. It has a population of 88,721 (2011) and a land area of 231.59 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | City of Pickering Cycling Webpage | ||||
Town of Richmond Hill | The Town of Richmond Hill is located in York Region. It has a population of 185,541 (2011) and a land area of 101 square kilometers. | Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study Report | March 2010 | 10 years or more | • A mode share target of 7.0% for town residents commuting to work primarily by walking or cycling. • A mode share target of 90% for children walking or biking to school. | • 36.7 km of multi-use trails (19.6 proposed km and 17.1 existing km) • 88.6 km of bike lanes (85.5 proposed km and 3.1 existing km) • 11.2 km of paved shoulders (11.2 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 91.6 km of signed bike route (91.6 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 61 km of signed bike route with or without edge lines or sharrows (61 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 644.8 km of sidewalks(89.2 proposed km and 555.6 existing km) | Richmond Hill Cycling and Walking Webpage | ||
City of Toronto | The City of Toronto is located in Southern Ontario. It has a population of 5,583,064 and a land area of 5,905.71 square kilometers. | Shifting Gears | June 2001 | 10 years or more | • 495 km of bike lanes (460 proposed km and 35 existing km) • 260 km of signed routes(250 proposed km and 10 existing km) • 249 km of off-road paths (128 proposed km and 121 existing km) • | City of Toronto Cycling Webpage Bike Plan New Strategic Direction 2009 City of Toronto New 10 Year Cycling Network Plan Webpage |
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City of Vancouver | Vancouver is a seaport city located in the province of British Columbia. It has a population of 2,313,328 (2011) and land area of 2,882.55 square kilometers. | Transportation 2040 | October 31, 2012 | 10 years or more | • By 2040, at least two-thirds of all trips will be made on foot, bicycle or transit. • Transportation 2040 supports the Greenest City Target for reducing distance driven. | Zero traffic related fatalities | City of Vancouver Transportation 2040 Plan Webpage | ||
City of Vancouver | Greenest City | 10 years or more | • Over 50% of trips by foot, bicycle and public transit. • Reduction of 20% of average distance driven per resident from 2007 levels (5,950 km/person/year) | ||||||
City of Vaughan | The City of Vaughan is located in York Region. It has a population of 288,301 (2011) and a land area of 273.5 square kilometers. | Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Study | January 2007 | 10 years or more | • 216.53 km of multi-use recreational or boulevard pathways (199.3 proposed km and 17.23 existing km) • 169.54 km of bike lanes (169.54 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 62.95 km of paved shoulders (62.95 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 148.87 km of bicycle signed only route / sidewalk (148.87 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 15.60 km of footpath / hiking trails (15.60 proposed km, 0 existing km) • 15.60 km of footpath / hiking trails (15.60 proposed km, 0 existing km) • | City of Vaughan Cycling Webpage | |||
Town of Whitby | The Town of Whitby is located in Durham region. It has a population of 122,022 (2011) and a land area of 146.5 square kilometers. | Cycling and Leisure Trails Plan | June 2010 | 10 years or more | • 68 km of multi-use trails (35 proposed km and 33 existing km) • 13 km of CLOCA multi-use trails (13 existing km, 0 proposed km) • 32 km of walkway(32 existing km, 0 proposed km) • 2 km of street connections (2 existing km, 0 proposed km) • 37 km of bike lanes(3 existing km, 44 proposed km) • 48 km of marked share lanes (48 existing km, 0 proposed km) • 42 km of paved shoulder (7 existing km, 35 proposed km) | Whitby Cycling Map |
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Town of Whitby | Transportation Master Plan Study (TMP) | June 2010 | N/A | The TMP calls for a 2031 mode share target of 8% for walking and cycling. The existing mode share for active transportation is 6% according to the TMP. | |||||
City of Windsor | The City of Windsor is the southernmost city in Ontario and is located near the Detriot River, which separates it from Detriot, Michigan. It has a population of 210,891 (2011) and a land area of 146.32 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cycle Windsor Webpage |
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City of Winnipeg | The City of Winnipeg is located in the province of Manitoba and is also known as the capital of the province. It has a population of 663,617 (2011) and a land area of 464.09 square kilometers. | N/A | N/A | N/A | City of Winnipeg Cycling Map |
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Regional Municipality of York | York Region is a thriving region centrally located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It has a population of 1,085,588 (2011) and a land area of 1,762 square kilometers. | Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study | April 2008 | 10 years or more | • A mode share of 7.75% for commuting to work primarily by walking or cycling. The existing mode share according to the 2005 Smart Commute is 3%. • A mode share of 55% for workers commuting by a combination of sustainable travel modes (walking, cycling and transit). The existing mode share according to the 2005 Smart Commute is 23%. • 92% of children walk or bike to school in York Region. According to O2TMP, the current mode share is 38%. | • 208.4 km of multi-use trails (145.5 proposed km and 62.9 existing km) • 294.7 km of bike lanes (294.7 proposed km) • 510.5 km of paved shoulder (510.5 proposed km) • 230 km of signed only route (185.4 proposed km and 44.6 existing km) • 683.3 km of sidewalks (196.9 proposed km and 486.4 existing km) | York Region Cycling Webpage |
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Metrolinx | The Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GHTA) is an urban region that is composed of the City of Toronto and additional municipalities that surround it. | The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) | November 2008 | 10 years or more | • 25 years from now, 12.5% of morning rush hour trips will be taken by walking or cycling (RTP Forecast) • 25 years from now, 50% of school children 11 years of age or older will walk or cycle to school (RTP Forecast) |