As Toronto builds infrastructure to provide a safe cycling and pedestrian environment it also has to ensure that the side walks, cross walks, bike lanes and streets remain accessible and safe by ensuring that the laws and bylaws that protect these spaces for pedestrians and cyclists are followed.  There needs to be education coupled with enforcement. Increased enforcement can be  strong upfront, then reduced as culture supporting safe, effective  Active Transport is developed.  

 

Bike lanes seem to be seen as stopping zones by motorists including delivery vans, taxis and private vehicles.  This creates dangerous conditions for cyclists forcing them to take evasive maneuvers.  The city needs to step up enforcement of parking bylaws to ensure that bike lanes are kept clear for cyclists.

 

Many bylaw infractions on sidewalks present obstacles to pedestrians, such as illegally placed patios and A-frame ads. In addition, sidewalk cycling poses a danger to pedestrians, as well as to cyclists themselves (30% of cyclists hit by cars were coming off a sidewalk). The city needs to implement education measures, such as the program to discourage sidewalk cycling proposed by the Toronto Cycling Committee, and enforce bylaws that ensure sidewalks are easy and safe to use.

 

Highway Traffic Act Violations such as speeding, unsafe passing and failure to stop at crosswalks can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Many pedestrians and cyclists are injured and killed in vehicle collisions every year. The city needs to improve education and enforcement of all traffic laws to reduce these senseless deaths and injuries.

 

TCAT calls on Council to: