Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Implementation

The Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan (PCMP) is intended to guide the Region as it works with local stakeholders to implement a comprehensive on- and off-road Region-wide pedestrian and cycling network, as well as a set of supporting policies and programs to promote active transportation in the Region.

The vision of the PCMP is to create a pedestrian and cycling supportive environment that encourages both utilitarian and recreational travel by walking, cycling and using public transit. The PCMP, along with the Transportation Master Plan (2009), will serve as the “blueprints” for all major transportation initiatives in the Region through the year 2031 and beyond.

Some of the PCMP objectives and strategies currently being implemented include:

• Completing missing sidewalk links, particularly those with connections to transit stops and transit stations
• Encouraging pedestrian and cycling friendly streetscaping, urban design and pedestrian-oriented land development
• Improving pedestrian connectivity and accessibility

Pedestrian and Cycling Municipal Partnership Program

The Pedestrian and Cycling Municipal Partnership Program forms part of the Region’s sustainable growth management initiatives by accelerating the construction of local municipal and/or key stakeholders’ pedestrian and cycling infrastructure that serves a regional context.

It allows York Region to share up to 50% of the construction costs for qualifying local municipal and stakeholder group pedestrian and cycling projects that serve a regional context. The pedestrian and cycling municipal partnership program does not deal with cycling lanes on Regional roads, funding of municipal sidewalks within the Regional road allowance and is not intended to fund recreational trails.

Since the Municipal Partnership Program started in 2007, eleven local projects have received funding with $2.3 Million committed. These projects include more than 15 km of trails and multi-use pathways, and 3 major road or water course crossings.