COVID-19: ActiveTO

Last updated: May 27, 2020 at 12:53 p.m.

ActiveTO is about making sure people have space to get around while respecting physical distancing. ActiveTO is a measured and data driven approach to support essential trips, front-line workers, and vulnerable road users. Locations are being planned by evaluating several factors including population density, equity, access to greenspace, and traffic volumes.

ActiveTO Initiatives include quiet streets, closing major roads for active transportation, and expanding the cycling network.

Map of Installations

Quiet Streets are shared space to allow local residents to maintain physical distancing within their communities through the installation of signage and temporary barricades to encourage slow, local vehicle access only. They do not invite people to congregate or host social gatherings on the street.

Signs and temporary barricades will be placed on neighbourhood streets to allow local car traffic only and open up space for people who walk, run, use wheelchairs and bike. Over 50 km of streets have been planned for the initial roll-out of the program across the City.

The Quiet Streets program begins the week of May 11 and continues until indicated by the City.

Access

  • Quiet Streets are for local vehicles only. All others should avoid using the street and plan a different route.
  • Drive slowly – Drivers should be aware and expect to see pedestrians and cyclists on Quiet Streets.
  • Parking – People who normally park their car on the street will still be able to park and travel as they normally would.
  • Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times
  • Nearby TTC routes should not be impacted by Quiet Streets
  • Routine city services, such as garbage and recycling pickup, will continue on Quiet Streets as they normally would.

Locations

Initially, Quiet Street locations will be identified using several factors including, but not limited to, population density, equity and access, access to greenspace, nearby parks, beaches, and other attractions, traffic volumes and other information.

A local street with houses that show pedestrians walking, and cyclists riding on the road while maintaining social distancing. Cars are moving slowly as they share the road with other road users. As you enter the street, 3 barrels are placed to slow turning cars and inform drivers only local traffic access is allowed.
Creating Quiet Streets

Locations that were announced on May 14

  • Kensington Market (area that borders Nassau Ave., Spadina Ave, Augusta Ave. and Dundas St. W.)
  • Lakeshore Dr./Lake Promenade (First Ave. to Forty Second St.)
  • High Park  Ave. (Bloor St. W. to Annette St.)
  • Brock/Emerson/Cowan Ave. (Dupont St. to King St. W.)
  • Winona Dr. (Eglinton Ave. to Davenport Rd.)
  • The Esplanade (boundaries TBC)
  • Crawford St./Montrose Ave. (Bloor St. W. to Queen St. W.)
  • Howard and Earl Streets (Sherbourne St. to Parliament St.)
  • Sackville/Sumach Streets (Shuter St. to Gerrard St. E.)
  • Monarch Park Ave. (Felstead Ave. to Sammon Ave.)
  • Fulton/Sammon Avenues (Broadview Ave. to Monarch Park Ave.)
  • Woodfield Rd. (Knox Ave. to Walpole Ave.)
  • Lee Ave. (Kingston Rd. to Alfresco Lawn)
  • Secord Ave./Eastdale Ave./Lumsden Ave./Main St./Hamstead Ave./West Lake Ave. (Dawes Rd. to Oak Park Ave.)
  • Military Trail/Highcastle Rd. (Sealstone Terrace to Bonspiel Dr.)
  • Kew Beach Ave. (Waverly Rd to Lake Shore Blvd. E.)
  • Westview Blvd. (St Clair Ave. E. to Holland Ave.)
  • Dundalk Dr. (Ellesmere Rd. to Antrim Cr.)
  • Trudelle St./Cedar Brae Blvd. (Danforth Rd. to Bellamy Rd.)

Popular recreational trails like the Martin Goodman Trail and the Lower Don Trail have been observed to be overcrowded, especially on warmer weekends. Recurring short-term closures (i.e. weekends and holidays) of major streets adjacent to these trails will be implemented to provide more space for walking and cycling, thus enabling practising physical distancing.

Normal weekend closures (except long weekends) will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturdays until 11 p.m. on Sundays.

Public parking lots, such as those with access to parks and beaches, will not be accessible if they fall within the major road closure area.

City Staff will monitor adjacent routes and make adjustments as needed. Other locations are being reviewed for closures for the following weekend and beyond.

Upcoming Locations & Dates

The following major road closures are planned this weekend from Saturday, May 30 at 6 a.m. until Sunday, May 31 at 11 p.m.:

  • Lake Shore Boulevard East (eastbound lanes only) from Coxwell Avenue to just south of Woodbine Avenue (Kew Beach Avenue)
  • Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue
A main street near a park/trail closed to vehicle traffic using barrels at the end of the street. The street shows pedestrians walking and cyclists riding on the road while maintaining social distancing.
Closing Major Streets for Active Transportation

The proposed ActiveTO expanded cycling network aims to allow people on bikes to move around Toronto safely, to better connect those on bikes to the places they need to go, and to mirror major transit routes.

A Council report released on May 25 asks Council to approve the installation of approximately 25 kilometres of new bikeways, for a total of approximately 40 kilometres of on-street cycling lanes approved for accelerated installation in 2020. The proposed plan includes flexibility so that bikeway installations can be adjusted based on considerations such as changing traffic volumes, and the evolving needs of residents and businesses in the wake of the pandemic.

If approved, the cycling network would be expanded quickly through temporary installations by repurposing curb lanes along several key corridors. Bloor Street East, University Avenue/Queen’s Park Crescent and Dundas Street East would be among the first installations.

Map of proposed cycling routes pending Council approval.

A main street showing an existing protected cycling lane both the northwest and southwest side with on lane of traffic both ways. On the northeast and southeast side of the street there is a temporary cycle track separated by barrels to protect the cyclists. This new installation is used to temporarily/permanently expand the cycling network and help people on bikes move around Toronto safely and away from vehicle traffic.
Expanding the Cycling Network