Survey Shows Increase in Toronto Cyclists but Also Safety Concerns

Really interesting survey results of people’s attitudes toward and practice of cycling in Toronto. Excerpts and graphic below; click through for full article.

The municipal government has released the results from an extensive survey that compares the state of cycling in the city 1999 and 2009. … Although overall cycling participation has increased six per cent since 1999, and 72 per cent of respondents think that the quality of routes and infrastructure has improved, there remains dissatisfaction. [Most] cyclists think that dedicated bike lanes on city streets would greatly improve cycling in Toronto. In fact, of the 40 per cent of recreational cyclists (those who ride solely for leisure) who would consider commuting to school or work, roughly half said they would do so if conditions were safer than they are now.

But perhaps the most telling of the many statistics to be found here is the overall quality rating of cycling in Toronto. Although the responses of non-cyclists indicate a noticeable improvement over the 1999 numbers, those who do cycle — regardless of their specific purpose — aren’t any more pleased with the experience of Toronto bike riding than those who responded a decade ago.