In order to meet the principles of environmental stewardship, the Town of Halton Hills wanted to increase the availability of active transportation and active recreation opportunities to residents. As a result of this desire the Town has completed the Cycling Master Plan for Halton Hills.
Much of Halton Hills land is protected through either the Niagara Escarpment Plan or provincial greenbelt plan providing residents with ready access to the natural environment. Halton Hills currently has a system of multi-use pathways and trails that it wanted to expand and integrate into the new cycling master plan.
The Town of Halton Hills, Transportation and Public Works Department had retained the consulting firm of the MMM Group to develop a cycling master plan that is “implementable” as part of the Town's capital construction program and to be included into new subdivision construction applications.
The cycling master plan makes recommendations that lead to opportunities for the Town's citizens to increase their activity level regardless of age, fitness, ability or cycling skill. The plan has been developed for the enjoyment of all and to bring the community together. Extensive public input was sought as part of the delivery of the plan.
The Transportation and Public Works Department at the Town of Halton Hills now has a comprehensive map of the proposed cycling system within the Town, an implementation plan on how to develop the facilities necessary, proposed design standards and an estimate of the annual capital and operating cost to implement and maintain the cycling system for the Town of Halton Hills.
For more information please read the proposed bike lane implementation schedule. If you have any questions, or would like to further discuss the Cycling Master Plan Final Report, use the contact information provided on this page.
Bike lanes
|
What is a bike lane?
- A dedicated space on the road for cyclists.
- In addition to regulatory signs, bike lane symbols are painted on the road along with a solid white line.
Benefits of a bike lane
- Reduces traffic and speeding;
- Promotes alternative mode of transportation;
- Provides identified space for cyclists; and
- Promotes healthy living (active transportation).
Who can use a bike lane?
- All cyclists can use bike lanes.
- EMS and fire trucks may cross or occupy a bike lane when responding to an emergency situation.
- Private vehicles under contract to ActiVan Accessible Transit may pick up or drop off members in bike lanes.
Restrictions of a bike lane
- Pedestrians are not to walk in bike lanes. They are to walk on sidewalks, multi-use paths or trails only.
- Any motorized vehicle, including taxis, delivery trucks and motorists are not allowed to park, stop, or drive in Bike Lanes.
Future plans
- Town staff will monitor the operation of Bike Lanes and consult with the community.
- The Town of Halton Hills has developed a comprehensive Cycling Master Plan (2010) to guide the implementation of Town-wide cycling infrastructure.
- This cycling network will be implemented over the next 10 years and beyond.
Questions regarding the purpose, efficiency, and use of Bike Lanes should be directed to the Traffic Coordinator: 905-873-2600, ext. 2215. Questions regarding maintenance and repair of Bike Lanes should be directed to Public works: 905-873-2600, ext. 2603. Questions regarding bike lane laws and parking should be directed to Corporate Services: 905-873-2600, ext. 2903.
|
Bicycle safety
|
- A bicycle is a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users.
- Cyclists can and will be charged for disobeying traffic laws.
- See Cycling Related Fines for a list of laws and fines provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Please note the following provincial laws:
- Any cyclist under the age of 18 MUST wear a helmet.
- A bicycle must have a bell or horn in good working order.
- A bicycle must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel.
- A bicycle must have a white or amber light on the front and a red light or a reflector on the rear from one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunrise or during inclement weather conditions.
Tips for cyclists
- Obey all traffic rules, signs and signals. (Including Stop signs)
- Use the bike lanethe same way a driver uses a lane of traffic.
- Use caution, be aware and respectful of other road users at all times.
- Use hand signals when turning, changing lanes and stopping.
- Stay on the right of the lane; pass on the left side of the lane.
- Safely scan the road behind you.
- See Guide to Safe Cycling provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for more information.
- Ride single file and, where possible, move to the right to allow motorists to pass.
Tips for drivers
- Treat cyclists like any other vehicle.
- When passing a cyclist, drivers are required to maintain a distance of at least 1m, as nearly as practical, between the vehicle and bicycle.
- Use caution, signal, and check for cyclists when crossing a bike laneor turning.
- Scan the road prior to opening doors
Questions regarding the purpose, efficiency, and use of Bike Lanes should be directed to the Traffic Coordinator: 905-873-2600, ext. 2215. Questions regarding maintenance and repair of Bike Lanes should be directed to Public works: 905-873-2600, ext. 2603.
|
Active transportation
|
|
Active transportation is any form of human-powered transportation, including walking, cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding and moving with mobility devices. An active transportation network includes sidewalks, multi-use paths, on-road bike lanes and off-road trails.
Bike lanes
Bike lanes are typically located on urban cross-section roads (with curb and gutter) to create a physical space in the travelled portion of the roadway that is designed for one-way bicycle travel. Bike lanes are demarcated with pavement markings and signage. For more info see Bike Lanes and Bike Safety above.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are located within the public road right-of-way throughout the urban areas of the Town of Halton Hills. Sidewalks are an important component of the municipal transportation network that provide a safe, healthy and sustainable alternative to using the automobile.
Off-road trails
Municipal off-road trails provide linkages throughout our community and promote opportunity to explore nature in your backyard. In addition to walking many of our trails can accommodate strollers or bicycles. The Bruce Trail is found within the Niagara Escarpment lands and offers over 30km of hiking trails within the Town of Halton Hills. For more information see Town of Halton Hills trail map. In rural areas where there is limited active transportation infrastructure, please consider the safety of all users and share the road.
Multi-use paths
A multi-use trail is a facility that is completely separate from the travelled portion of a roadway, and may take the form of an in-boulevard trail in a public road right-of-way or an off-road multi-use trail within a greenway, abandoned rail corridor, or utility/hydro corridor. These types of trails are typically designed to support the widest range of users including pedestrians, cyclists, in-line skaters and skateboarders where trail surfaces permit such activities. Multi-use trails located in parks primarily serve recreational pedestrians and cyclists but can also be used for commuting. For more information on Multi-Use Paths in Halton Hills see the Town of Halton Hills trail map.
|
Frequently asked questions
|
- What are the benefits of incorporating bike lanes?
The benefits are reduction of motor vehicle operating speeds (traffic calming), reduces pedestrian crossing distance, promotes alternative mode of transportation, provides identified space for cyclists, connects to existing bike paths/trails and promotes healthy living (active transportation).
- What is the Cycling Master Plan?
The Town of Halton Hills has developed a comprehensive Cycling Master Plan to guide the Town in implementing a Town-wide cycling network over the next 10 years and beyond. The Cycling Master Plan document was adopted by Council in 2010.
- What is complete streets?
A Complete Street is defined as a street that is designed for all ages and abilities, designed for universal access specifically to accommodate safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and drivers.
- What is Capital Works, and how is bike lane implementation funded?
The projects are funded from a combination of Federal Gas Tax and the Town's Capital Program, which is approved annually by Council.
- How about bike safety?
Halton Regional Police Service through the North Halton Injury Prevention Committee will undertake a bike safety workshop during the Bike to Market public event. The Town's Traffic division will provide additional bike information, safety tips and discuss the proposed bike lane implementation process.
- Rules of the Road - Highway Traffic Act (HTA):
Bicycles are designated as vehicles under the HTA and as such are required to obey all the same rules and regulations as automobiles when being operated on a public roadway. It is important to note that even when bike lanes are provided, cyclists are not obligated to use them. Should they choose to do so, cyclists are legally permitted to travel with mixed traffic in a standard motor vehicle travel lane.
- Uncontrolled crosswalks?
Based on the bike lane implementation project, travel lanes for motorized vehicles will be narrowed. Therefore, the conflict area between pedestrians and motor vehicles will be reduced and pedestrian safety improved. Uncontrolled crosswalks will be retrofitted with warning tab signs indicating Pedestrians Wait for Gap message.
- Is there more School Crossing Guard information?
School entry and dismissal times managed by each school board are provided on their websites. Staggered dismissal times would benefit traffic distribution and reduce traffic congestion in front of the schools. The Town manages the School Crossing Guard program. For the complete listing of school crossing guard locations and services times, visit our School Crossing Guards page.
- Are the bike lanes suitably designed?
Yes, the width of the lanes are designed within acceptable standards ensuring public safety.
- Is on-street parking affected?
For more information regarding the Town of Halton Hills Uniform Traffic Control By-law No. 1984-0001, visit our On-Street Parking page.
- How about Winter Parking?
Halton Hills allows a maximum parking duration of 5 hours, unless otherwise posted. During winter time, overnight parking prohibition is in effect between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
- What is pavement marking removal?
It is the removal of old paint (water-based) and/or durable paint (plastic).
- What type of disruption can residents expect?
For a short period of time residents may experience disruption such as noise and dust during the removal of the existing lane markings (during the day) and implementation of the new lane marking (overnight). Certain sections of the road will be inaccessible, but clearly marked. The Town's Traffic Coordinator will be supervising the contractor during all phases of the project to ensure health and safety are maintained.
- What if road work is delayed?
The Town will hand deliver a notice informing residents of any major delays, next steps, and continue to communicate with the affected homeowner.
- Where is the future bike lan eintegration being implemented?
The Town intends to evaluate Argyll Road, a roadway identified in the Town's Cycling Master Plan, for the feasibility of incorporating cycling lanes linking Eight Line, Miller Drive and Mountainview Road.
|
