By David Hunt (former Cycle Ontario Alliance member) from an initial introduction by Will Wallace

In the late 1990’s the Ontario Cycling Association started the long, but ultimately rewarding, process of developing a province wide on-road bicycle network initially called the Provincial Cycling Route Network (PCRN) and renamed the Ontario Bicycling Route (OBR).  The OBR is a vision to implement a cycling network across Ontario that would connect all regions, many municipalities and key points of interest. 

In March of 2001 a partnership was developed with Cycle Ontario Alliance (formerly called Velo Ontario) who agreed to continue development of the OBR, with endorsement from the OCA.  In July of 2007 the COA was disbanded due to financial difficulties, but the OBR continues to be maintained by a small group of volunteers.  Further support is being requested from cycling organizations and the Share the Road Cycling Coalition www.sharetheroad.ca has agreed to help explore opportunities for taking the OBR forward. 

The goal of this project is to have routes of provincial importance designated as part of the OBR. These routes would then be the focus of advocacy for preservation and improvement (paved shoulders, for example) over the coming years. These routes would also be signed as a way of promoting cycle tourism, local awareness, and respect from motorists.  If other projects of this nature, such as the Trans-Canada Trail, and Waterfront Trail are any indication, the result of designating a route is to create momentum for local links. We believe the same phenomenon will develop here.

This project was initially started in response to cyclists’ needs to preserve significant touring routes and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) requests for an overall network plan.  Reasons for supporting this concept include:

·        Fills an existing gap needed for cycling routes across province 

·        Encourages cycling connections at the local level

·        Serves as a focus for cycling route preservation and improvement

·        Benefits safety, the economy (e.g. cycle tourism) environment, and health. 

·        Interconnects with trails, offering off-road alternatives

·        Compliments Government policies on  - Bicycles, Smart Growth, Provincial Policy Statement, Trails Development Strategy, Cycle Tourism

·        Follows positive results of similar facilities in other jurisdictions – Quebec, U.S., Europe 

The OBR has been selected by experienced cyclists in a consultative process with a view that some roads deserve particular attention for their provincial and regional importance.  Here are the route selection principles for how we started analyzing provincial status routes:

§         where possible, avoid provincial highways and roads with high traffic and truck volumes

§         ensure on-road routes (e.g., a rail trail may be an alternative, but does not replace an on-road route)

§         ensure that routes are as direct as possible

§         ensure the ability to ride from one region to another, all regions of the province represented

§         ensure several viable trans-provincial routes

§         ensure routes that follow major geographic features: the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence, Niagara and Ottawa Rivers, the Niagara Escarpment, Rideau Lakes, etc.

§         routes that allow access to provincial and national parks, and other natural, historical and cultural features

§         ensure routes that join major urban centres

§         ensure that routes connect with international boundaries

Although the OBR will be a long term project, a number of key activities have been completed in the drive to make this project a reality, some of which have been supported by grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ministry of Health Promotion.

§         7,850 km on-road cycling network identified

§         Network verification completed involving over 400 contacts including cycling clubs and municipalities

§         Route modification improvements undertaken  

§         Network maps produced for display, web site maps enhanced, and print copy maps showing the OBR on the 1:250,000 scale Recreation Trail Maps (Advermap) and  the Ontario Bicycle Touring Atlas (Dun-Map)

§         Promotional brochure produced and OBR Lake Erie Tour conducted to help profile the OBR

§         Bicycle facility guidelines completed

§         OBR route sign designed

§         Project profiled at Toronto Bike Show, ProWalk/ProBike Conference and other venues

§         Provincial Ministries contacted including Transportation, Health Promotion, Tourism, Public   Infrastructure Renewal, and Finance

§         Ontario Bike Plan (2008) promotes the OBR and outlines a cycling master plan for Ontario

§         Support and encouragement partnerships formulated with the Ontario Cycling Association, Ontario Trails Council, Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Share the Road Cycling Coalition and others

Important Notes:

Highway Traffic Act Prohibits Bicycles on some OBR Routes – In February 2008 an updated HTA Regulation 630 was issued by the Ministry of Transportation which places bicycle prohibitions on sections of the following OBR links.  Solutions are being explored and contacts made with MTO, and local cyclists to identify OBR alternatives around these prohibited highway sections, or find ways to allow cyclists back on the prohibited sections of highways.  Route information on this issue is will be updated once decisions have been made to determine OBR options and locations.  A recent reply from the MTO Minister has stated that bicycle access restriction on prohibited highways will remain in place at this point in time.  Please check with local municipal road authorities or the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (1-800-268-4686) to confirm the status of these OBR links and possible options. 

OBR # 3 – Thunder Bay to Nipigon

Prohibition placed on the Thunder Bay  Hwy. 11/17 by-pass extended eastward from Hodder Ave. to Lakeshore Dr. for about 18 km.  An option south of Hwy 11/17, off Hodder Ave. along Strathcona Ave. and Lakeshore Dr. to Hwy 11/17 has been examined by MTO and local cyclists.  This municipal alternative has now been confirmed and is incorporated in the route description.

OBR # 5 – Sault Ste. Marie to Espanola

This link is now open to cyclists but an MTO proposal is scheduled for approval to prohibit bicycles over a 20 km section on a new 4 lane Hwy. 17 section going from Trunk Rd. (old Hwy 17) easterly from Sault Ste. Marie to the junction of Hwy. 548.  This OBR route is described as the direct, higher traffic volume option to the main OBR route mapped on Hwy. 638 which is the lower volume choice but requires some out-of-way travel, has steeper grades and no services.  A municipal road option (i.e. Government Rd. and Smith Rd.) is available easterly from Bar River Rd., but needs a 6 km upgrading to a harder surface cover near Hwy 548, to be suitable for road bikes. 

OBR # 10 – Sudbury to Waubaushene

The southern end of this OBR link on Highway 400 and Highway 400 and 69 (transition area from 4 lanes to 2 lanes) prohibits bicycles from Waubaushene area (local roads can be taken to Interchange 162 from South Bay Rd. 48) to just north of Parry Sound for a distance of about 45 km.  Initial examinations indicate that route options do not exist over some sections of the prohibited highways. 

OBR # 11 – North Bay to Huntsville

Both the north and south ends of this OBR link on Highway 11 prohibits bicycles, from North Bay south to Goreville Rd. (just north of South River) and from Huntsville north to the north junction of Highway 592, for a total distance of 55 km.  Many options are shown on maps, but many of these are only gravel surfaced unsuitable for road bikes.

OBR # 21 – Kingston to Quebec Border

Highway 137, connecting Hwy 401 and the Canadian/American border crossing at the Thousand Is. Bridge now prohibits bicycles.  This prohibition blocks bicycles from linking up with the Seaway Trail on the American side, and the OBR/Thousand Island Parkway/Waterfront Trail in Ontario.  The COA has contacted the MTO Minister and Regional Office in Kingston to request a reconsideration of this prohibition.  At this time this request has been denied.

Safety

Although great efforts have been made to make the OBR accurate and complete, please take responsibility for your own safety by practicing safe cycling and checking on routes prior to departure.

Next Steps

The volunteer work group will continue to maintain the OBR and seek support from cycling groups on ways to move this project towards implementation.

The most up-to-date mapping can be obtained from printed Recreational Trail Maps at www.advermap.com and the Ontario Bicycle Touring Atlas from www.bikeontour.on.ca .