Bill 182 2014

An Act to proclaim the month of June as Ontario Bike Month

Preamble

Biking is an increasingly popular mode of transportation in urban centres and all over Ontario. Recent Ministry of Transportation surveys of road users suggest that around 1.2 million adults in Ontario ride a bicycle daily during the spring, summer and fall, and 2.8 million people ride at least once a week. Each year, a growing number of cycling events take place in June. Many municipalities throughout the Province already consider June to be Bike Month.

It is important to build on the Province's release of the Ontario Cycling Strategy by declaring the month of June as Ontario Bike Month.

Increased cycling would have cumulative societal benefits. Cycling helps people develop healthy habits for life. These include a healthy lifestyle, reduced health care costs through the promotion of active living, reduced traffic congestion in urban areas and a cleaner environment.

By actively promoting cycling, we can encourage more cycling routes to take people places they want to go. Connected cycling networks will provide youth with more opportunities for an active and healthy lifestyle.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Ontario Bike Month

   1.  The month of June in each year is proclaimed as Ontario Bike Month.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Ontario Bike Month Act, 2014.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the month of June in each year as Ontario Bike Month.