C041-2026

Background

Howden Boulevard forms part of the East West Cycling Corridor as identified in the Active Transportation Master Plan. The East West Cycling corridor forms a critical part of the AT network that connects the majority of the north-south pathways in the City is the only contiguous barrier protected bike lane in the city.

Currently there are approximately 3.5M cycling trips taken in the City of Brampton annually. The City's transportation plans indicate that this number must grow substantially and at the expense of car travel, to avoid untenable increases in traffic congestion. The most effective way to accomplish this "mode share shift" is to provide a  cycling network that is perceived as safe, convenient, and connected, one that makes it easier for people to choose to travel by bike to destinations instead of using their personal automobile. The City has committed to implement this network as part of its transportation and strategic plans that were unanimously endorsed by Council.

In the spring of 2025 staff was directed to evaluate four options for the Howden section including public consultation. Options 1,2, and 3 included different configurations of multi-use pathways to replace the bike lane. Option 4 proposed a different intersection treatment that would help alleviate congestion, while leaving the majority of the infrastructure intact. Staff and bicycle advocates supported Option 4. The public feedback supported Option 1 even though it was 5X more expensive. Sharrows are not safe bicycle infrastructure and are not appropriate for Howden due to traffic volume and speed.

Instead of choosing any of the staff options, Council instead voted to remove the bike lanes entirely , using money allocated for active transportation improvements and without plan for replacement. Removing a key part of the network through this motion, reverses much of the progress that has been made in the past 5 years and makes a mockery of the planning process which is a waste of staff time and tax-payer money.

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

Whereas the Province of Ontario enacted Bill 60, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, requiring removal of bike lanes from certain roadways;

Whereas protected bicycle lanes on Howden Boulevard were installed on-street as part of Brampton's Active Transportation Network;

Whereas public consultation showed 70 per cent support (842 of 1,209 respondents) for Option 1A; and as referenced by Minister Williams, a recent survey shows 86 per cent of respondents do not support the current configuration on Howden Boulevard; and

Whereas the staff report has allocated $730,000 to implement Option 4;

Therefore Be It Resolved: 1. That staff proceed with immediate removal of on-street protected bicycle lanes on Howden Boulevard from Dixie Road to Williams Parkway, restoring four traffic lanes, utilizing the funds in the amount of $337,000 from the allocated $730,000;

2. That staff incorporate sharrows (shared lane pavement markings) on this section to maintain cycling accommodation;

3. That the remaining $393,000 be allocated to future bike lane relocation projects with Active Transportation including a multi-use pathway along the same route;

4. That staff continue to find practical solutions with resident input for Active Transportation and connectivity of trail systems already in place and biking infrastructure across the City using money previously allocated from the Howden design process; and

5. That the Active Transportation Master Plan be updated with respect to provincial legislation and Highway Traffic Act amendments.

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Councillor Power