Transportation Services

Queens Quay Reconstruction 2012-2014

The reconstruction of the Toronto's Central Waterfront will begin this summer.  Construction will be done in phases.  One aspect of this reconstruction will be the connection of the Martin Goodman Trail across Toronto's centre. Waterfront Toronto is leading this work. 
 
The reconfiguration of Queens Quay will have two lanes for east-west traffic on the north side of the street and a dedicated Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in the middle.  On the south side, a generous pedestrian promenade will run alongside the Martin Goodman Trail.  See renderings of the designs.
The first section to be re reconstructed will be between Bay St. and Dan Leckie Way (just east of Bathurst).  Between Bay St. and Lower Jarvis St. a temporary trail will be built to help create a more continuous connection for trail users.
 
Learn more about designs for the Central Waterfront reconstruction.

Toronto Public Health Report – Putting People First: Making Walking and Cycling the Healthiest Choice

Toronto Public Health undertook a comprehensive examination of the health risks of walking and cycling against the health, economic, social, environmental and transportation system benefits of walking and cycling.

The purpose of this study was to identify strategies and specific opportunities for improving health and quality of life by increasing the use and safety of active transportation throughout Toronto.

Putting People First: Making Walking and Cycling the Healthiest Choice, presents information on the prevalence of walking and cycling, data on collision rates, injuries and fatalities, and uses this data to estimate health benefits from avoided chronic diseases as well as health-related costs of collisions from a Public Health perspective.

In Toronto, 2006 levels of walking and cycling to work are estimated to prevent about 120 deaths each year, with total economic benefits ranging from $130 million to $478 million. Savings in direct medical costs arising from Toronto residents staying active by walking or cycling are estimated to provide a further economic benefit of $110 to $160 million.
Achieving the walking and cycling commuting mode shares seen in other cities of 12% and 6%, could prevent about 100 additional deaths each year, yielding additional annual benefits of $100 million to $400 million.

This report makes a number of recommendations, including the lowering of speed limits, the improvement of walking and cycling infrastructure, more rigorous data collection of walking and cycling trips, as well as the need for stable funding for these projects, supported by levels of government other than the Municipality. 

Learn more

Outcomes of Sherbourne Street Upgrades Public Open House

The City is currently working on designs to upgrade the existing bicycle lanes on Sherbourne Street. Transportation Services has been working with stakeholders, and have been tracking input received in a number of ways. 

The input received from the Public Open House and other channels has been mostly positive, and in support of upgrades to improve these bike lanes.  Read the summary of the input collected from the public.

Learn more about this, and other downtown bicycle lane upgrades being studied and planned.

2012 Inventory of Toronto's Paved Major Multi-Use Trails

In 2001 Transportation Services did an inventory of Toronto's Trail System, and identified 121 km of paved, major multi-use trails that were included as part of the Bikeway Network.  The Bike Plan also identified opportunities for 128 km of additional trails to be built as part of the Plan, for a total of 249 km. Between 2001 and 2012, 70 km of the Bikeway's networked proposed trails were built, for a total of 191 km.

As part of the Trail Audit which is now being completed, Transportation Services has been working with Toronto Parks to significantly improve the City's database of Trails.  Site visits, construction drawings, and trail alignment information has been consolidated and plotted as a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) map.  This GIS based inventory is more detailed than the counts done in 2001, and now included major multi use paths such as Bloordale Trail, the Thompson Memorial Trail, Lamoroux Park's Trail, the Audelan Park Trail, and the Warden Woods Trail.  Short sections of major multi-use paths which branch off of the City's Trail System to provide street access are now included in the trail inventory.

In total, approximately 95 km of paved, major multi-use trails are now mapped in excess of what was tabulated as part of the 2001 Bike Plan.  These trails may now be included in Transportation's Trail planning process, and considered when discussing new connections, surface and width upgrades, maintenance, and similar issues.

Outcomes of Trails Planning Public Open House

Transportation Services has compiled the input received from the public open house that took place on February 6, 2012 at the Northern District Public Library, to help plan and prioritize future trail projects.

Respondents cited continuity of the trail network as their number one concern.  The importance of trail continuity reflected itself both in concept, as well as in the ranking by respondents of which trail projects they would like to see prioritized for construction.

Read the summary of comments collected

New Trail Open – East Don Connection

New trail connections are now open in the Eastern branch of the Don Valley.  These trails will help to connect local neighborhoods between Eglinton Ave. East and Lawrence Ave. East, just East of Don Mills Rd. by allowing them to cross beneath the Don Valley Parkway by foot and bicycle. 

Find this trail on google maps

New bridges in the Don

A new pedestrian bridge crossing the Don River is currently being installed replacing the old bridge leading from Sun Valley to Cottonwood Flats.  This work began in January, and is expected to be substantially completed by May 2012.

The East Don Walkway Under Don Mills Road will also be rehabilitated as part of the summer 2012 construction season.  This wooden walkway is being replaced with a new, sturdier structure.  The work will also include rehabilitations of a portion of the approach but the trails themselves will not be changed or re-aligned. To minimize the time this bridge will be closed, staff are working to have as much work done offsite as possible.  Despite this, this bridge connection will need to be closed for two months or more at the time of it's installation.  The closure will probably take place from August - October 2012.

Mid Humber Gap Study

Transportation Services, Parks Forestry and Recreation and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority have initiated a study of the gap which currently exists in the trail near the Weston Golf Course.  Because City-owned land in this area has been substantially eroded, acquisition of lands will be necessary to connect existing sections of trail in the Humber.

Phase one of this project will be between Cruickshank Park and Mallaby Park (near St. Phillips Rd. and Weston Rd.)  A public consultation component will be announced as part of this work, once the necessary information has been collected to discuss design options.

Beltline Study

The City of Toronto is retaining a consultant for an extensive study of the Kay Gardiner Beltline.  This exercise will include the complete trail from Allan Rd. to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, as well as the portion of trail in the Don Valley, from Moore Ave. to Bayview Ave., and Bayview Ave. to David A. Balfour Park.

The scope of this work will include a review of trail intersections with arterial roads, trail access points, signage, conditions of the granular surface, trail connectivity, drainage, as well as the impact of the trail compaction and width to the surrounding natural environment.  This process will involve a public consultation component.

City Wide Natural Environment Trails Management Strategy

In addition to the City of Toronto's trail network of nearly 400 km of paved multi-use trails, there is an extensive network of informal natural-surface trails and pathways within natural area parkland and ravines.  These trails are well-used by hikers, dog-walkers, and mountain bikers, and are highly valued as an important part of the recreational trail network.  

In 2012, through extensive data collection and community engagement, the City of Toronto will be developing a strategy that will identify opportunities and constraints as well as the planning, policies and management strategies required to ensure the protection of the City of Toronto's natural areas while offering safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for all natural environment trail users.

Details of how you can get involved will be posted on our website and in upcoming email notifications.

City Wide Natural Environment Trails Maintenance Events

In 2011 the Natural Environment Trail program conducted several trail maintenance events led by the International Mountain Bicycling Association Canada (IMBA) with local community groups, businesses and the general public.  Check out Dan Scott's Blog from IMBA Canada for some pictures of the events.

Programs

CAN-Bike Courses

CAN-Bike is the only accredited course of its kind. Courses are taught exclusively by instructors certified by the CAN-Bike program. Instructors are knowledgeable about the Highway Traffic Act and teach cycling skills such as anticipating traffic dynamics, recognizing road hazards, and collision-avoidance techniques.

There are courses for kids, and our most advanced course, CAN-Bike 2, is required training for many people who cycle on the job. In fact, all Toronto Police bicycle patrol officers are required to take CAN-Bike 2. Registration is now open for summer courses. View courses and locations to register online.

Events

Bike Month 2012

Around the world in many cities, there are Bike to Work days, Weeks and Months. These celebrations are to raise awareness of the benefits of cycling, and to try to encourage people to ride their bikes more.

Since 1989, the City of Toronto has worked with the cycling community to deliver programming encouraging cycling.  Toronto's Bike Month has evolved from a 1998 Bike to Work Day event to become one of the largest events of its kind in Canada.

Bike Month 2012 will be presented by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Cyclists Union.  Over the next three years, the Toronto Cyclists Union will take over many of the promotional and administrative jobs which have been done in the past by the City of Toronto to make Toronto Bike Month a success.  The promotion of Bike Month will transition from being an effort driven by the municipality, to one led by the Toronto Cyclists Union. The City of Toronto will continue to work with the Cyclists Union, and cycling community in support of Bike Month.

Toronto's 2012 Bike Month events kick off with the Toronto Group Commute. The Bike to Work Day event will be taking place Monday May 28, 2012 this year. Come out and enjoy a free pancake breakfast and free event t-shirts while supplies last granular surface, trail connectivity, drainage, as well as the impact of the trail compaction and width to the surrounding natural environment.  This process will involve a public consultation component.

CN Spurline Event May 12, 2012

Join the local councilor, Saturday May 12th at 10 am in celebration of the completion of the new Trail built on the former CN Leaside rail line. The meeting point will be at the paved circle at the northern entrance of the trail, located at the south end of Bond Park.  Staff will be available to answer any questions that residents may have about the trail and its construction.

New and Improved Bicycle Friendly Business Awards seeking sponsors

Is cycling a part of your company culture or do you want to support a growing important event in the city? The greatest way your company can show support is through Bicycle Friendly Business Awards sponsorship. Help us honour and urge businesses to be bike friendly! We are seeking a dedicated Title Sponsor as well as many others.

Help us make this year's Bicycle Friendly Business Awards the best it has ever been! Find out how your company can be widely represented. Sponsorship opportunities contact Sean Wheldrake (swheldra@toronto.ca) or 416 392 1143.