Cycling, Bike Lanes, ActiveTO, eBikes and eCargo Bikes

October 20, 2022 - Mike Layton is Toronto City Councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale. Among his many accomplishments, he has been one of the strongest voices for cycling in Canada’s largest city. From protected bike lanes on iconic Yonge St. to making the city’s ActiveTO routes permanent, Layton is bullish on growing cycling’s footprint in Toronto and beyond. The son of the late legendary NDP leader Jack Layton and MP Olivia Chow, both avid riders and cycling advocates, Layton also championed affordable housing, the arts, Aboriginal issues, public transit, renewable energy projects, etc. We caught up with him for his take on the cycling boom and what lies ahead in these challenging times that have been good for two wheels in Toronto and around the globe.

Cycling’s in your blood as your parents were keen advocates and owned many bikes. What was it like growing up then as cycling was not as popular as it is today?

Mike Layton: I like to say that I grew up on the back of a tandem bike… Dad was always manoeuvring us through the uncertain cycling landscape at that time. Riding in traffic was always an issue — I remember riding down Shuter St. and feeling relief when hitting the Martin Goodman Trail. We’ve come a long way since those days.

You have a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, so cycling must really hit home. Prior to the pandemic, were you seeing a change in the acceptance of cycling?

ML: While it’s been a surprisingly slower process than we’d have liked, we’ve seen a major shift in the last couple of years — not just with the number of people out on bikes but with the quality of the infrastructure as well. The debate is less about a fringe group enjoying a pastime or hobby, and more about a legitimate way of getting around the city — a welcome shift in public discourse. Yet it’s not a mindset shared by everyone, as bike lanes have been put in and come out later. We still have a long way to go, but we’ve taken some good steps in the right direction.

In 2020, Toronto saw a record 40km of new bike lanes. And in Dec. 2021, seven ActiveTO cycling routes became permanent — that had to feel good.

ML: Yes, for sure… the University St. bike lane wasn’t in the original plan. Councillor Joe Cressy and I pushed for it and made some strategic moves, so I’m glad it made it. Yorkville wasn’t in either, and we had to do a lot of local manoeuvring to ensure it got in. I was quite happy with helping to shape some of the outcomes within my Ward 11 and beyond.

Protected bike lanes on iconic Yonge St. are another coup for Toronto even if a long time coming… your thoughts?

ML: Yonge St. came a bit later — and yes, it’s another great step forward. We were also trying to get a section of Yonge south of College passed. The approval of Yonge St. was like an ActiveTO 2.0… yet it’s a challenge, and I was hoping for a little more time for the report coming next year, but the Mayor’s office moved it forward. It’s never a good time to debate bike lanes in January — summer is always better.

What’s your take on e-bikes as they’re surging around the world…  and how do we kickstart e-bike and e-cargo bike incentives across Canada?

ML: We made a request for incentives in Transform TO, our climate plan, to develop a program for rebates for e-bikes and bicycles, but that report hasn’t come back yet — we expect that it will be next term.

In Dec. 2021, Toronto also approved a provincial pilot for e-cargo bikes weighing more than 120kg aimed at commercial users… were you involved?

ML: That was my initiative, which was initially put forward for the city to purchase e-cargo bikes for maintenance. I introduced it because I saw a tweet from Don Iverson (Mayor of Edmonton), and they’re not going to eat my lunch on bicycles, so I stole the idea. Other programs were brought forward to facilitate the commercial use of e-cargo bikes like this pilot.

What do you ride, and have you tried an e-bike?

ML: We own a Nihola e-cargo bike and it’s great… it’s our only vehicle, as we don’t own a car. This is actually our third cargo bike and the first two were non-electric. We bought the Nihola from a friend, and Curbside Cycle added the e-drive system — it has really increased our range, so we love it.

Thanks for your time and your efforts to promote cycling.

ML: Thanks as well.

Layton announced that he won’t be seeking re-election in October’s municipal election for Ward 11 University-Rosedale where he has been in office since 2010. We join the cycling community in thanking him for his dedicated service and contributions over the years.