Walk Toronto has written to Toronto City Council to support a motion by councillor Dianne Saxe to improve construction safety on Bloor Street.
Multiple construction projects on Bloor Street, East and West, have reduced or removed sidewalk access and removed safe spaces for cyclists. The safety measures taken for active transportation have been inadequate and inconsistent. Walk Toronto’s letter specifically notes construction projects at Castle Frank subway station and the Glen Road pedestrian bridge, among others.
In his letter, Walk Toronto’s Michael Black concludes:
In order to avoid the mixing of modes and the incursions of bikes into areas designated for exclusive pedestrian use, we recommend that planners of building and road projects preserve existing active transportation infrastructure to the greatest extent possible when accommodating construction activity. If temporary changes cannot be avoided, then safe routes should be established which keep pedestrians properly separated from cyclists, and in turn keep all active transportation users separated from vehicular traffic.
The motion was passed by City Council by a 25-1 vote.
