Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the first ActiveTO major weekend road closures of 2021 will be in place this weekend along Bayview Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard East.
The following closures will be in place beginning Saturday, May 1 at 6 a.m. until Sunday, May 2 at 9 p.m.:
These routes will be closed to vehicles and open to people on bikes as well as pedestrians to get fresh air and exercise. Residents planning to use ActiveTO routes should do so only with members of their own household and access them by bike or as a pedestrian because nearby parking is limited and there is no onsite parking available.
Last year, the first ActiveTO major weekend road closures were installed in time for the May long weekend, making the start to this year’s weekend closures nearly three weeks sooner.
While traffic volumes remain lower than normal, City staff are making plans to close Lake Shore Boulevard West on an upcoming weekend. More details will be released once plans have been finalized.
The City aims to expand weekend closures to Allen Road starting June 6. Details of the closure will be released as soon as they are final. Staff continue to review the potential for other weekend closures, in consultation with local councillors as well as the community, along Black Creek Drive and roads within Exhibition Place.
Residents are encouraged to stay close to home and explore the many paths, ravines, and hydro corridors with trails throughout Toronto that continue to be open and available every day for fresh air and exercise. Some examples of locations include The Meadoway in Scarborough, the Humber Valley Trail in Etobicoke or the Finch Hydro Corridor in North York. There are also many museums with green spaces available throughout the city.
As a quick-start COVID-19 response program first launched in 2020, ActiveTO was designed to provide more space for people to practise physical distancing while outside, support the overall wellbeing of residents and to quickly connect and expand Toronto’s cycling network by installing safe, separated temporary bike routes that mirror major transit lines.
Quotes:
“We are committed to giving people more places to get outside safely to get fresh air and exercise, and ActiveTO has proven a successful way to do that. I encourage everyone to get outside with members of their own household, and to keep their distance from others while doing so. I would like to thank City staff for responding to my request to get ActiveTO road closures underway as soon as possible this year for residents to get outside safely and keep physically active.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The return of ActiveTO weekend road closures means even more space available in our city for people to get outside and get active. Opening roads for people will help to complement Toronto’s vast number of trails, parks, paths and ravines that remain accessible and available to everyone for fresh air and physical activity.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure & Environment Committee
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