Advancing Active Transportation In Toronto ACT Canada Sustainable Mobility and Healthy Communities Summit December 2, 2014 Carol Mee, Toronto Public Health Manager Healthy Public Policy

Overview Road to Health Active Transportation Demonstration Projects Active TO Healthy Streets

Road to Health Active Transportation (AT) as means to improve health in Toronto Benefits of walking and cycling Collisions, injuries and fatalities and their costs Distribution of health benefits and risks Strategies to increase walking and cycling in Toronto

Active Transportation Demonstration Projects Goals: To demonstrate that Active Transportation interventions are feasible and effective To build strong partnerships and work together to improve active transportation in Toronto

Criteria for Site Selection ELIGIBILITY High readiness Innovativeness Strong evidence base Low walkability and/or bikeability High rates or risks of chronic disease Low safety SELECTION Mix of social and income groups Mix of community types and project scales Potential to include interventions identified in BOH request

Demonstration Sites - TCAT Black Creek Partner: Everdale Traffic Control Signal; improved access to Farm Annex/Harbord Partner: Cycle Toronto Bike Lanes on Bloor; Speed limits; increased sidewalk space Harbord Street, Toronto Photo: Ryan Anders Whitney

Demonstration Sites – Gladki Planning Associates Cliffside Separated bike lanes; More sidewalks and sidewalk improvements; Traffic calming (i.e. speed bumps, lower traffic speeds enforced by police); Improve connectivity of existing trails with parks; Better transit; and Education for drivers about sharing the road North York Centre More multi-use trails; Traffic calming; More bike lanes; better intersection design (i.e. safer crossings for pedestrians); and more pedestrian crossings

AT Demonstration Projects: Results Council Recommendations: Black Creek - conduct a site assessment to improve road safety and access for road users (cyclists and pedestrians) Review the actions identified by the community to provide local improvements for active transportation on specific actions, including service requests Jane and Finch, Toronto Photo: Ryan Anders Whitney

Building Support for Active Transportation and Complete Streets

Healthy Streets

Healthy Street Design: Accessibility Short blocks and 4-way intersections to increase connectivity Continuity of pedestrian and cycling facilities Places to walk to and from

Healthy Street Design : Safety Continuous sidewalk and bicycle facilities Adequate lighting Safe intersection crossings

Healthy Street Design : Reduce speed and increase safety

Healthy Street Design : Experience Wide sidewalks Seating Trees and landscaping Human-scaled buildings Attractive building facades

Questions? Carol Mee