4.3 Bike Parking Requirements and Planning

The Chair advises there is no reference to “bike parking at events” in the Active Transportation Master Plan. He refers to the Active Transportation Master Plan and the following excerpt as it relates to the development of a Bike Parking Policy:

“ACTION 3B.1: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A BIKE PARKING POLICY

The City should develop a bike parking policy to outline criteria for bicycle parking in the public right-of-way (including bicycle corrals as noted in Action 3B.4) and at public facilities (as noted in Action 3B.3), as well as to support businesses in existing developments to retrofit existing buildings to provide bicycle parking and other amenities, such as storage and change room facilities to support employees’ cycling to work year -round. Adding these facilities would likely require a reallocation of existing motor vehicle parking to bicycle parking. There are a number of other North American cities that have implemented these bylaw regulations including San Francisco, Toronto and Minneapolis.

1 to 9 vehicle parking spaces: No bicycle parking is required

10 to 19 vehicle parking spaces: 2 bicycle parking spaces are required

20 or more vehicle parking spaces: 2 bicycle parking spaces required for the first 19 spaces, plus 1 additional bicycle parking for each additional 20 vehicle parking spaces

The Zoning Bylaw also provides requirements for the size and location of bicycle parking spaces. However, the Zoning Bylaw does not distinguish between short-term and long-term secure bicycle parking requirements, nor does it provide guidance on siting, location, or quality of bicycle parking. In addition, the Zoning Bylaw does not provide any requirements for end-of-trip facilities for new developments. It is recommended that the City conduct a Bicycle Parking Study to inform a subsequent update to the bicycle parking requirements in the Zoning Bylaw and to expand current Official Plan policies:

To be based on the corresponding land use (instead of based on motor vehicle parking requirements);

To specify different requirements for short-term and long-term bicycle parking, including secure bicycle parking facilities;

To provide design guidance for the siting, location, and quality of short-term and long-term bicycle parking;

To provide flexible parking requirements to allow for a reduction in motor vehicle parking if bicycle parking and other amenities go beyond minimum requirements; and

To require end-of-trip facilities such as showers and clothing lockers in new developments based on land use.

In addition, the City should continue to ensure that these bicycle parking regulations are being enforced in all new developments. ”

Discussion ensues regarding the need to “require end of trip facilities such as showers and clothing lockers in new developments”. Comments are provided regarding the possible retrofit of existing buildings and the costs associated with that construction.

K. Morse reports through research for a bike events policy, he notes the City of Mississauga has a tool kit for bike events but does not have a policy.