History

The bicycle has evolved to become a practical, cost effective, environmentally sensitive and healthy mode of transportation for both recreational and utilitarian purposes in the City of Windsor. Although the high technology world we live in provides us with email, websites, cellular phones and fax machines, the provision of infrastructure to enable the physical movement of people in an efficient and timely manner remains an integral and necessary function of a city. Recognizing this function and the role of the bicycle, the City of Windsor has been working to provide a network of multi-use trails, bicycle routes and bicycle lanes to meet the needs of cyclists, and has also developed supporting programs and policies to encourage their safe use. The City of Windsor's 1989 Culture and Recreation Master Plan identified 90 percent of respondents as being supportive of the development of a network of linear parks and trails throughout the City for cycling, walking, running and skiing. Responding to this public interest and enthusiasm, the City, with the assistance of a consultant team, followed up with a Bicycle Use Development Study (BUDS) which was adopted by Council in 1991. This comprehensive study suggested a vision for cycling in Windsor as well as a set of supporting recommendations that addressed a broad range of issues and a plan to develop new facilities and programs. Since its adoption, many of the planned off-road recreationways have been developed:
the College Avenue and West Recreationway in west and south Windsor;
the Ambassador/Assumption/Centennial Recreationway;
the Roseville Garden Park trail;
the Little River Corridor trail, and parts of the Ganatchio Trail Recreationway;
Walker Homesite/Devonwood Trail; and
Southwood Lakes Trail.

Section 7 of the Windsor Official Plan (1999), describes the City's commitment to making Windsor a more cycling friendly city through a set of objectives and policies that support the role of recreationways, a cycling network and a Cycling Master Plan. The Cycling Master Plan is intended to:

address the four E's (engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement) for both commuter and recreational cycling;
provide principles, polices and plans which address commuter and recreation cycling needs from a comprehensive perspective including the integration with other transportation modes and facilities; and
identify priorities for new bikeways and recreationways.

The Official Plan also addresses cycling supportive facilities, encourages the separation of commuter cyclists and pedestrians wherever possible to avoid conflicts, and encourages cycling in the City Centre. The City of Windsor has made some significant strides since BUDS was formally adopted in 1991, including a comprehensive multi-use trail system that would be the envy of many North American Cities. One might characterize the nature of cycling today in Windsor as one of a well-used integrated trail system with a limited and discontinuous on-street bicycle route system. What is needed is the development of a comprehensive plan for bikeway network development that builds on the successes to date. The update to the current plan will therefore focus on on-street facilities for utilitarian purposes, filling in the gaps in the City's existing recreationway network and improving connections to existing cycling facilities. Central to this planning effort will be public consultation, public education and the creation of a program designed to support a plan that can be implemented by City staff with the help of key stakeholders, including the Windsor Bicycling Committee. A clear and direct process is required to creatively link the public's energy and knowledge into workable solutions that make sense on paper and more importantly, in the field. All four firms that make up our Study Team have done this before. We will use our experience to work with City staff, the Windsor Bicycling Committee, Windsor Police services, cycling interest groups, other stakeholders and the public to devise a comprehensive Bicycle Use Master Plan for Windsor that works for the City, and fosters cycling beyond its borders. It will be both visionary and practical.

The Bicycle Use Master Plan (BUMP) Study

The BUMP Project is being undertaken within the context of a comprehensive public consultation strategy designed to support the study's purpose, which is to address a broad range of issues that include but are not limited to:

Development of bikeway networks, both within and connections outside the City of Windsor;
Identify specific route connections through problem areas such as railways, narrow roads, bridges, the E.C. Row Expressway and waterways. Feasible solutions must be recommended;
Development of safety awareness, enforcement, encouragement and education programs;
Identify potential funding sources;
Identify & review liability & risk management issues;
Review and make recommendations as to the appropriate class of bikeway along each route and corresponding lane widths;
Review and identify Trans-Canada Trail route development within Windsor and connections to surrounding areas;
Develop guidelines for construction of on and off-road bike facilities, including but not limited to lane widths, signage and pavement markings;
Recommend a phasing and implementation strategy including cost estimates;
Develop an economic cost analysis strategy for on-road facilities; and
Analyze joint use of hydro/railway corridors.

The study will go beyond plan development. It will include a set of steps and activities intended to attract stakeholder participation in terms of both issue identification and decision-making. It will serve to educate existing and future users, and develop support for the BUMP and its recommendations to ensure rapid implementation.