October 29th, 2007 marked the official start of the 2008 Capital Budget approval process. The City of Toronto's Budget Committee unveiled the 2008 Capital Budget and presented a schedule of Committee and Council Meetings that were approved at a previous Budget Committee meeting. This is an important time for those wanting to see the Bikeway Network of bicycle lanes, park paths and signed bike routes completed by 2012 as this budget setting process will result in a plan for capital spending in 2008 and a 5 year plan for spending from 2008 - 2012. The capital budget provides the money for cycling infrastructure so it is extremely important for the cycling community to examine what the city is proposing in this area and to offer its input on what needs to be changed to allow the city to achieve Mayor Miller's stated goal of completing the 1105 km Bikeway Network by 2012.

In the past the Toronto's cycling committee would offer its advice during the budget process but there will be no opportunity for the newly formed Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee to be consulted directly on the budget or give official comment as it will not meet again till December 10th, 2007, just one day before the capital budget is due to be passed by City Council on December 11, 2007(Capital Budget Schedule). However, there is opportunity for individuals and cycling organizations to have input into the budget. Hearings on the capital budget will be held on November 13th, 2007. The lack of formal consultation makes it even more important for Toronto residents to get involved in the process. To have input into the process you can write to the committee, speak in person to the committee or write your councillor. The following news release from the City of Toronto explains how you can have your say as to how Toronto's Bike Plan can be accelerated. Participate in the City's 2008 Capital Budget Process .

Since the budget was just released on the 29th it has taken a bit of time to find out exactly how cycling related budget lines have fared in this proposed budget. The two budgets that have the most impact on the Bike Plan projects are those of the Transportation Services Division and the Parks Forestry and Recreation Division. The presentation by staff at the budget launch showed that the Transportation Services Cycling infrastructure budget would be $3.0 million in 2008, no increase over 2007. However the analyst notes indicate that this budget will get an increase to 5.5 million in 2008 ($4.55 million to be spent in 2008 and $950,000 to be spent in 2009). However, this annual rate of funding is still short of the funds that would be needed to complete the bike plan by 2012. The proposed 5 year capital plan 2008 - 2012 shows $30.1 million being spent on cycling infrastructure. That budget pays not only for bike lanes and off-road paths in hydro and rail corridors but also it contains the funds for the other items that are paid for out of the Cycling infrastructure budget such as Bike Parking projects, bridges and crossings, project management or any of the amenities that go with trail projects. More than half of the funds needed to complete the Bikeway Network and the other parts of the Bike Plan are in the Capital plan for the years beyond 2012. The remaining $38.104 million needed to complete the bike plan are in the 2013 - 2017 Capital plan. To complete the Bikeway Network by 2012 the budget committee needs to move those funds into the 2008 - 2012 capital plan.

The Parks Forestry and Recreation Division is responsible for some of the 135 km of off-road paths but their budget will only pay for 3.6 km of new path in 2008 ($3.35 million) and only have money for 6.9 km of new path over the next 5 years ($2.95 million.) Furthermore, $200,000 of last year's budget for new paths in parks was cut as part of the cost containment exercise carried out by the city last summer. The first order of business for the Budget Committee should be restoring that money and adding it to the 2008 budget.

Without getting into too much detail suffice it to say that there still needs to be an improvement in both budgets in order to complete the Bikeway Network by 2012 as promised by Mayor Miller. Now is your chance to say that to the Budget Committee and the other Councillors.

Martin Koob
info@biketoronto.ca