advocating for active urban mobility_msanlnsl

Michelle St. Amour and Neluka Leanage Toronto Centre for Active Transportation,

Clean Air Partnership | York University | February 28, 2012

Advocating for Active Urban Mobility

Presentation Overview

TCAT Overview & Complete Streets Land Use & Big Box in Leslieville One Advocacy Case Study

Guiding Questions/Outline

What do “Complete Streets” mean for you?

How does urban development affect your mobility?

How can you get involved?

Discussion

What is active transportation?

What is mode share?

What is urban mobility and why does it matter?

Mode Share for Work Trips in Ward 8 (York University)

Discussion

How did you get to York University today?

How do you usually travel to York?

TCAT Overview

Formed in 2006 to give a unified voice for groups and individuals working for a better cycling and pedestrian environment in Toronto.

Came together around a simple idea: Active transportation (cycling and walking) is the most affordable, healthy and sustainable mode of transportation.

Yet the City falls short in prioritizing walking and cycling (active transportation) in its budget and city planning processes.

Tripled the number of member organizations in three years.

Active Transportation … Is there demand?

Photo by TObike from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

The Potential is there for Change

In the GTHA: 17 percent of trips are walkable (less than 2 kilometres). 40 per cent are bikeable

(less than five kilometres). 7 in 10 Canadians would

cycle to work if there were bike lanes.

Source: Copenhagenize.com

Active Transportation on the rise in Canada

Active transportation has been rising at a significant rate amongst Canadians since 2000. Almost a quarter of Canadians walk 6 or more hours per week (Canadian Journal of Public Health, 2007).

A national study found that 7 in 10 Canadians would cycle to work if there were bike lanes (Go for Green, 2004).

What are Complete Streets?

Complete streets are safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel for everyone, regardless of age or ability – motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users.

Incomplete Streets: The Norm

Photo: Paul Young

Complete Streets: the Exception

Prior to revitalization in 1997, cycling and walking mode share was 70% yet 80% of the right-of-way was devoted to cars.

Traffic lanes reduced from four to two.

Space reallocated to bike lanes, trees, wider sidewalks, sidewalk bulbouts and new pedestrian crossings.

Speeding reduced. Traffic collisions decreased by

40%.

Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto (Transport Canada)

What is a Complete Streets Policy?

A complete streets policy ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users.

Complete Streets Policies in the U.S.

16

US Jurisdictions with Policies: 125 Policies Adopted Since 2005: 100 Policies in 2009: 42

As of 01/15/10

Courtesy of Barbara McCann Complete Streets Coalition

Courtesy of Barbara McCann, Complete Streets Coalition

Waterloo adopted Complete Streets Policy in 2011

Complete Streets Promotion in Toronto

In August 2009, before any policies had been adopted in Canada yet, TCAT and the Toronto Cyclists Union began working together to bring Complete Streets to Canada.

Complete Streets was an election issue in Toronto in 2010.

Complete Streets in the City of Toronto

St. George Street is Toronto’s best example of a complete street.

The City of Toronto’s Public Realm office is currently working on a plan to implement complete streets more broadly across the city.

Photo Credit: Elana Horowitz

Urban Development and Mobility (land use transportation dynamic)

Leslieville, Toronto

Leslie Street

Courtesy of Jamie Austin, Ontario Growth Secretariat

Courtesy of Jamie Austin, Ontario Growth Secretariat

Recent Development Context

February 17, 2011

Recent Development Context

Leslie Street south facing to Lakeshore Blvd. East

Leslie Street

How would you create a complete street here?

How would streetcars

affect cyclists and pedestrians at this intersection?

Discussion

One Advocacy Case Study

BikeSauce

BikeSauce: Bicycle Resource Centre

What is it? A not-for-profit, all volunteer run, do-it yourself bicycle repair

facility and advocacy centre.

BikeSauce

Location: 235 Broadview Avenue, Toronto

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - 5 pm – 9 pm Saturday, Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm

What does BikeSauce Do?

Help people learn how to fix their bike.

What does BikeSauce Do?

Help people learn how to fix their bike.

What does BikeSauce Do?

Refurbish and sell donated bikes.

What does BikeSauce Do?

Offer a social space, coffee bar, library with free WiFi.

What does BikeSauce Do?

Develop and implement bicycle advocacy campaigns.

What does BikeSauce Do?

Develop and implement bicycle advocacy campaigns.

How Can I Get Involved?

Email: info@bikesauce.org Join the:

Facebook Twitter Listservs: groups.google.com/group/bicyclesauce

Guiding Questions/Outline

What do “Complete Streets” mean for you?

How does urban development affect your mobility?

How can you get involved?

Thank You

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