At its April 9th 2008 meeting the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) will consider a motion being put forward by Councillor A. A. Heaps Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest, the Chair of the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee that aims to improve bicycle parking at city owned facillities. His motion contains three recommendations

1. That managers of all City agencies, boards and commissions be requested to include secure long-term bicycle parking facilities in the design and construction or rehabilitation of all publicly-owned City facilities.
2. That the Chief General Manager of the TTC be requested to include secure long-term bicycle parking facilities in the design and construction phases of all current and future TTC stations, including Victoria Park, Pape and Kipling Stations.
3. That all new long-term bicycle parking facilities implemented in City-owned facilities be constructed according to City standards and guidelines for high quality bicycle parking facilities in new developments.

The motion aims not only to increase the quantity of parking spaces but also recommends that the parking facilities created move toward secure bike storage facilities. You can read the full motion here PW 14.14 Indoor Bicycle Parking Facilities For Agencies Boards and Commissions

This is an important step in implementing the Bicycle Parking portion of the Toronto Bike Plan. The City of Toronto has to lead in providing cycling facilities that will encourage more people to use their bikes to access City of Toronto programs in services. It should set an example for the private sector and other elements of the public sector. If these recommendations are passed and carried out it will go a long way to doing this.

If you want to add your support to this you can contact the PWIC and its members. You can get all of the contact information at the following link Public Works and Infrastructure Committee or email them at pwic@toronto.ca.