Nancy Smith Lea Director, Active Transportation TCAT Program Director ACT Canada – Canadian TDM Summit 2009 November 16, 2009

TCAT Overview  Formed in 2006 to give a unified voice for groups and individuals working for a better cycling and pedestrian environment in Toronto.  Came together around a simple idea: Active transportation (cycling and walking) is the most affordable, healthy and sustainable mode of transportation.  Yet the City falls short in prioritizing walking and cycling (active transportation) in its budget and city planning processes.  Tripled the number of member organizations in three years.

Active Transportation… Is there demand? Photo by TObike from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

Active Transportation on the rise in Canada  Active transportation has been rising at a significant rate amongst Canadians since Almost a quarter of Canadians walk 6 or more hours per week. (Canadian Journal of Public Health, 2007).  A national study found that 7 in 10 Canadians would cycle to work if there were bike lanes. (Go for Green, 2004)

More Torontonians cycling and walking to work Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census City of Toronto website % % +1.9% -2.9% +23.9%

In downtown Toronto, the majority of customers walk or bike to shop Transportation mode share A 2008 research study conducted by the Clear Air Partnership found that: Only 10% of patrons drive to the Bloor Annex neighbourhood; Patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visit the most often and spend the most money per month; Survey respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of a bike lane.

What precedents exist for reallocating road space for active transportation?

Bike Lanes in Copenhagen Source: Copenhagenize.com

St. George Road Diet… kick-started by citizen donation of $1 million St. George Street is the primary traffic artery through the University of Toronto. It underwent a revitalization in 1997 in which traffic lanes were reduced from four to two. The space was reallocated to bike lanes, trees, wider sidewalks, sidewalk bulbouts and new pedestrian crossings. As a result, speeding was reduced and traffic collisions decreased by 40% between 1997 and Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto (Transport Canada)

San Francisco… Sometimes it takes an earthquake The Embarcadero Freeway divided the waterfront from the downtown. It was severely damaged by an earthquake and torn down in Transit, cycling and walking infrastructure improvements absorbed a significant portion of the former Embarcadero expressway traffic. trips.

New York: the power of the pilot project LEFT: Before; RIGHT: A New Madison Square. Last summer, the New York Department of Transportation made major improvements to Broadway the Fifth Avenue intersection. 1. A dedicated bike lane. 2. Three lanes of traffic were converted to 41,700 square feet of public space. 3. Café tables. 4. Discontinued sections of Broadway and Fifth Avenue were painted over with an epoxied gravel surface. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the New York City Department of Transportation

The demand exists, there’s some momentum, so what’s the problem?

The plans all sound good  City of Toronto Bike Plan (2001) "shift gears" towards a more bicycle friendly city  The City of Toronto Official Plan (2002) envisions a city where walking and cycling help to relieve congestion, improve air quality and encourage healthy living  Metrolinx “The Big Move” Regional Transportation Plan (2008) commits increased investment in cycling and walking throughout the GTHA  City of Toronto Walking Strategy (2009) sets the stage for a new culture of walking in Toronto

Problem #1: Insufficient funding Toronto’s bike plan years behind schedule City of Toronto website:

Problem #2: Accommodating active transportation optional, not required Cycling and walking improvements are not well integrated into the city’s procedures

Problem #3: Toronto’s official plan at odds with its road classification system Traditional shopping street? or major arterial with traffic movement as primary function? Photo Source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

Complete Streets Making Progress Source: U.S. jurisdictions now have Complete Streets policies. 30 policies adopted since January 2009.

What are Complete Streets? Definition  A Complete Street is safe, comfortable and convenient for travel by foot, bicycle, transit and automobile.  A Complete Street is safe and comfortable for people with disabilities, children, families and the elderly. A Complete Street in Washington Source: Complete Streets Coalition

What Is a Complete Streets Policy? A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Principles  Ensures that the entire right of way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.  Streets are designed for everyone with priority to the most vulnerable.  Promote planning, engineering and transportation policies that provide a safer road network for all users. Source: Complete Streets Coalition

The Best Complete Streets Policies:  Apply to all phases of all projects  Feature direct use of the latest and best design standards  Allow flexibility in balancing user needs  Specify any exceptions and require high-level approval of them. Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Implementation: From Policy to Practice An effective policy should prompt the following changes:  restructured procedures  re-written design manuals  re-trained planners and engineers  re-tooled measures to track outcomes Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Complete Streets Features  There are no hard and fast rules Complete streets will look different and serve different users depending on the needs of the community. Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Complete Streets Features: Safe Pedestrian Infrastructure  Sidewalks and highly visible crosswalks (colour and texture)  Sidewalk amenities for public transit users  Center medians and/or pedestrian islands  Safe and convenient connections to transit stops Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Complete Streets Features: Safe Bicycle Infrastructure  Bike lanes  Special treatments for intersections Source: Bicycle parking Lower speeds and traffic calming measures Source: Complete Streets Coalition

Complete Streets Features: Public Transit and Motorists  Public transit with priority lanes or dedicated rights of way  Synchronized traffic signals along major routes and arterial roads  Lower speeds and traffic calming measures

Isn’t It Expensive? “By fully considering the needs of all non- motorized travelers (pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with disabilities) early in the life of a project, the costs associated with including facilities for these travelers are minimized.” Jeff Morales, former Director, CalTrans Source:

Complete Streets Canada? Photo by PDPhotography from the Torontoist Flickr Pool TCAT is working on a new initiative with the Toronto Cyclists Union to get a Complete Streets policy adopted in Toronto and beyond. It's time to get this movement happening in Canada!

Contact Information Subscribe to TCAT News at: Nancy Smith Lea Program Director, TCAT Active Transportation Director, Clean Air Partnership Phone:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

The Many Types of Complete Streets Source:

Complete Street? Almost! Kensington Market is one of the 20 best neighbourhoods of North America, according to Project for Public Spaces. Cycling and walking are easy, natural and practical choices here but are not representative of the majority of Toronto’s streets. Photo Source: Project for Public Spaces Monday January 14, 2008