One
third ride bikes in the city
Just one seventh commute by bike
TORONTO, MAY 6th,
2015 - In a
random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 822 Toronto
voters, just one third ride a bicycle in the city (32%) and, of these, just
4-in-10 commute to work or school (44%) for a total of about one seventh of
Toronto voters who commute to work or school by bicycle (14%). Biking in the
city is common to younger citizens (35 to 44 - 42%), in the downtown (50%) and
among Chow voters in the last election for mayor (50%). Those who commute to
work or school by bike are most likely to be the youngest (60%) and the least
wealthy (80%). This includes those in the downtown (59%) but not those in
Etobicoke (20%).
One half disagree bicyclists should be licensed
Just
4-in-10 voters agree bicyclist should be licensed (40%), and one half disagree
(50%). One tenth don’t have an opinion (10%). The oldest are most likely to
think this (61%), as are those who voted for Doug Ford (49%), in Etobicoke
(54%), frequent Gardiner Expressway users (49%) and carding supporters (52%).
6-in-10 favour more bicycle infrastructure downtown
Six-in-ten
Toronto voters agree the city should build more permanent bicycle
infrastructure, including separated lanes, downtown (61%), while one third
disagree (33%) and few don’t know (7%). It is the youngest (73%) and least
wealthy who are most in favour (77%), as are those downtown (75%).
"While relatively few use
their bikes as primary transport, Torontonians recognize the importance of
having a mix of transportation modes in this city, including bicycles, and even
those who don’t ride have an interest in bike infrastructure," said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne
Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be
reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
