Ontario region switcher

Notice

For content relevant to your community in Ontario, Please select your region

The Government of Canada invested in research into the design of cycling infrastructure for people with sight loss

Toronto, Ontario, September 29, 2023 — Today, Robert Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced a federal investment of $50,000 to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB Foundation) to support research into how raised cycle tracks at bus stops across Canada impact people with sight loss and developed recommendations for the construction of future raised cycle tracks in Canada.

CNIB conducted research into the existing guidance, as well as the benefits and barriers that the current raised cycle tracks at transit stops present for people with sight loss. The project also involved testing of the current raised cycle tracks by blind and partially sighted individuals. Based on the results, recommendations for the future installation of raised cycle tracks have been created to ensure future infrastructure is accessible to individuals with sight loss.

Funding announced today contributes to Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy by supporting activities that will help expand networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“Today’s investment is an important step in ensuring that infrastructure across Canada is designed in an inclusive manner. Having raised cycle tracks at bus stops across the country be accessible to people with all degrees of sight loss will ensure that existing barriers to an active lifestyle for Canadians are removed.”

Robert Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Within our transportation systems, varying barriers place Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind in dangerous and unnerving situations, making it difficult to undertake journeys with confidence and independence. Thanks to funding from Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation Fund, CNIB was able to conduct research to mitigate barriers to raised cycle tracks at public transit stops and create recommendations to develop public transportation spaces that enable safe and accessible journeys for all.”

John M. Rafferty, President and CEO, CNIB

Quick facts

  • Our government invested $50,000 in this project through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF).

  • Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity, and includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more.

  • The Active Transportation Fund is providing $400 million over five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient and more enjoyable, in support of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy. 

  • Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy’s aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more equitable, healthy, active and sustainable travel options to thrive.

  • The Active Transportation Fund complements Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The plan commits the federal government to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation options available in every community.

  • Active transportation infrastructure provides many tangible benefits, creating good middle-class jobs, growing the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, advancing equity amongst vulnerable Canadians, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in safer active transportation infrastructure is key to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can access jobs and services and connect with their communities.

  • The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over eight years, starting in 2021, in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in long-term, predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested over $24.8 billion in transit projects across the country, providing Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options.

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Kevin Collins
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Kevin.Collins@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Infrastructure Canada

Lui Greco
Manager of Regulatory Affairs
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Lui.Greco@CNIB.ca

More News

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went on strike this morning, Friday, November 15. CNIB is working to minimize the impact the strike will have on Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision, particularly as it relates to the delivery of alternative-format materials provided through our partners at CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access).
At CNIB, we believe that everyone should be able to depend on public transit to get to where they need to go, when they need to go – from the first kilometre to the last kilometre. Join us in championing safer, more accessible journeys. Because everyone should be able to rely on public transit to travel door-to-door, safely and independently. Watch our Public Service Announcement and visit cnib.ca/transit to learn more.
The federal government recently launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations (hereafter “the Regulations”) which, once approved by the Government of Canada, will set out technical details for the design and implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). CNIB submitted feedback to the consultation, informed by an engagement survey distributed to our community members asking for their perspectives on key aspects of the Regulations. Our final submission brief made 14 recommendations to the Government and touched on topics including eligibility criteria, payment amounts, program administration, employment supports, and more.
We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for Connecting the Dots 2024, Canada's largest conference focused on education, technology, and employment for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. This year, we're bringing the event to four dynamic cities across Canada, and we can't wait for you to join us!
The Canada Disability Benefit Act became law in 2023 and seeks to create a new federal benefit program that will strengthen the financial security and independence of Canadians with disabilities from coast to coast to coast. Now, the Government of Canada is seeking feedback from the disability community on its proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations, which will set out the design and technical details of the program, scheduled to launch in July 2025. CNIB is seeking the perspectives of our community members to inform our submission to the Government’s consultation, and we’re asking you to get involved by completing our survey.
Read more news