Burlington MPP announces new bike storage lockers at GO transit stations

InsideHalton.com
Sept. 15, 2017

The province is making it a little easier for cyclists to commute to and from work, school and appointments — it announced Tuesday in Burlington.

Burlington MPP and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon joined Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca at the Appleby GO station to announce the construction of new bike storage lockers at GO transit stations and car pool lots across southern Ontario.

The new installations are part of the province’s Climate Change Action Plan and funded by proceeds (approximately $2.7 million) from Ontario’s cap on pollution and carbon market, stated a media release.

“Cycling is a great way to travel, commute and explore our beautiful province,” said McMahon.

“With this investment in bike storage, our government is supporting cyclists and making it easier for people to use their bikes — whether it’s for their daily commute to work or school, for recreation or simply for the love of the sport.”

The Commuter Bike Parking Program will see eight bike lockers installed at 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), Niagara and Simcoe Region.

Installation of the lockers is scheduled to be done by the end of March 2018.

In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, which aims to expand storage capacity while enhancing security, stated the release.

The first locations will include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.

“This investment from the Ontario government is great news for residents of Burlington,” said Mayor Rick Goldring.

“With more bike storage at Appleby and other GO stations, as well as at carpool lots across the GTHA, cyclists will have more reason to leave their cars at home and fit a bike ride into their daily commutes.”

According to the province, about 1.5 million people in Ontario ride their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall, and many cycle all year-round.