National Cycling Strategy and Targets

Summary#

This bill directs the federal government to create and carry out a national cycling strategy. It sets deadlines for a planning conference, a strategy report to Parliament, online publication, and regular progress reports. The strategy must cover infrastructure, safety, education, climate, health, tourism, industry, and data. The bill itself does not fund projects or change traffic laws.

• Requires the Minister of Transport, with the Minister of the Environment, to develop and implement a national cycling strategy with specific elements (National cycling strategy (1)(a)-(i)).
• Orders a national conference within 1 year to develop the strategy (Conference (2)).
• Requires a strategy report to Parliament within 2 years, plus online posting within 30 days (Report setting out strategy (1)-(2)).
• Requires an effectiveness report 5 years after the strategy report, and every 3 years after (Report on effectiveness).
• Calls for targets for commuter, tourism, and recreational cycling; support for data collection; and review of safety measures (e.g., truck side guards), but does not mandate them (National cycling strategy (1)(d),(g),(h)).
• Contains no explicit funding or fees.

What it means for you#

• Households and cyclists

  • No immediate change to roads or rules. The bill creates a plan and reporting process, not new regulations (entire Act).
  • Future federal programs or guidance could support safer bike lanes, education, and clearer standards, depending on the strategy and budgets (National cycling strategy (1)(a),(b),(c)).

• Workers and students

  • The strategy must set targets to grow commuting by bike and track indicators like children biking to school and adults biking to work (National cycling strategy (1)(g),(h)).
  • Any new commuting supports or school cycling programs would come later, if the strategy and future budgets provide them (National cycling strategy (1)(b),(c)).

• Businesses (bike shops, manufacturers, tourism)

  • The strategy will look at industry policies to support Canadian cycle and retail manufacturing, and at trade issues like duties that affect bike prices (National cycling strategy (1)(i)).
  • Tourism operators could benefit if the strategy promotes cycling tourism and links networks across regions (Preamble; National cycling strategy (1)(a),(c),(g)).

• Trucking and fleet operators

  • The government will review transportation laws and standards to improve road safety, including considering mandatory side guards on heavier vehicles. The bill does not impose such a rule; it mandates a review (National cycling strategy (1)(d)).

• Local governments, provinces/territories, and Indigenous communities

  • You will be consulted in developing the strategy and invited to a national conference within 1 year of the Act coming into force (Conference (2)).
  • Potential access to federal guidance or programs may follow, but the bill itself does not provide funds (National cycling strategy (1)(a)-(c)).

• Timeline

  • Conference within 1 year; strategy report to Parliament within 2 years; online posting within 30 days of tabling; effectiveness report 5 years later and every 3 years after (Conference (2); Report setting out strategy (1)-(2); Report on effectiveness).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No appropriations or fees are specified in the bill (entire Act).
• Mandates on the federal government:
  • Convene a national conference within 1 year (Conference (2)).
  • Develop and implement a national cycling strategy with listed measures (National cycling strategy (1)(a)-(i)).
  • Table a strategy report within 2 years; post it online within 30 days (Report setting out strategy (1)-(2)).
  • Table an effectiveness report 5 years after the strategy report, and every 3 years after (Report on effectiveness).
• Administrative costs to develop, consult on, and report on the strategy: Data unavailable.
• New costs for households, businesses, or other governments created by this bill: Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• A national plan can align infrastructure, safety standards, and education across jurisdictions to make cycling safer and more common (National cycling strategy (1)(a)-(c),(d)).
• Cycling can help cut greenhouse gases and air pollution; the strategy must maximize this role to meet climate goals (National cycling strategy (1)(e); Preamble).
• More cycling can improve health and may reduce healthcare spending; the strategy must recognize and support this (National cycling strategy (1)(f); Preamble).
• Clear targets and better data will track progress, such as children biking to school and adults biking to work (National cycling strategy (1)(g),(h)).
• Coordinated support can boost tourism and local economies by linking networks and promoting cycling experiences (Preamble; National cycling strategy (1)(a),(c),(g)).
• Reviewing trade and industry policies can support Canadian bike manufacturing and retail, potentially improving supply and affordability (National cycling strategy (1)(i)).

Opponents' View#

• The bill has no funding, so it may add planning and reporting costs without resources for actual infrastructure or programs (entire Act).
• “Implement a national cycling strategy” is broad; without clear limits it could lead to new federal actions or standards that affect other jurisdictions (National cycling strategy (1)).
• Reviewing measures like mandatory truck side guards could lead to future regulatory costs for carriers if adopted later; the bill provides no cost analysis (National cycling strategy (1)(d); Data unavailable).
• Provinces and municipalities already manage roads; a federal strategy could duplicate existing local plans or create overlap (Preamble; National cycling strategy (1)).
• Timelines mean tangible changes may be delayed: up to 2 years for the strategy report, 5 more years before the first effectiveness review (Report setting out strategy (1); Report on effectiveness).
• Data collection and monitoring could impose reporting burdens on local governments and schools without added support (National cycling strategy (1)(h); Data unavailable).