SAFEWAYSTO AIMS TO PUT PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS FIRST

June 8, 2020 – (Toronto, ON) – Five Toronto-based organizations today announced their coming together to create SafewaysTO, an initiative that offers Torontonians an emerging network of increasingly-vital safe, linear public spaces or “safeways” (including bike lanes, multi-use trails, parks and ActiveTO closures), providing city-dwellers expanded routes to navigate and enjoy on foot and by active transportation safely.

SafewaysTO is led by Cycle Toronto, Walk Toronto, The Bentway, Park People and Spacing Magazine - organizations all dedicated to improving and enhancing the city’s public realm that have banded together to advocate for safe and viable routes for Torontonians, specifically for recreation, exploring, and commuting. Routes are available online at www.safewaysTO.ca.

A generously endowed and welcoming network of public safeways in more normal times provides a crucial service and offers significant benefits for public health. COVID-19 has now raised the ante. As the weather turns and restrictions begin to be lifted, Toronto is joining the dozens of cities around the world (from Berlin to Bogota, New York, Paris, Oakland, Milan, Vilnius, Vancouver, Calgary and Brampton) that are rapidly expanding networks of safeways themselves to move around the city during the pandemic, turning over hundreds of kilometers of traffic lanes and, in many cases, entire streets to pedestrians and cyclists.

These safeways are both a critical response to the current moment and part of a solution towards a safe and sustainable post-COVID future. Toronto currently has 5,397 km of total streets, and only 147.5 km of bike lanes, 346 km of multi-use trails, and 57km of new/planned ActiveTO “quiet streets” that prioritize pedestrians and active transportation.

To demonstrate the potential of this network and the need to build upon and maintain it long after the COVID wave wanes, Cycle Toronto, Walk Toronto, The Bentway, Park People, and Spacing Magazine compiled all safeways in the city, mapped out together for the first time on www.safewaysTO.ca.

The SafewaysTO map includes:

The map – which will continue to evolve – will serve two purposes: it will help raise awareness of the safeways we now have, helping Torontonians access and use these space; and it will set the stage for what comes next - a new way of navigating the city as we continue to grow a complete network.

“We congratulate Toronto City Council on their recent action to add 40km of new bike lanes in 2020. Toronto has been slow off the mark, but we believe that this moment can also be the city’s opportunity to boldly lead the parade,” said Ken Greenberg, a prominent Toronto urban designer. “Many potential users don’t currently feel safe on our narrow sidewalks or unprotected lanes. SafewaysTO enables people of all ages – while maintaining a safe distance from each other, of course - to safely navigate the city whether they’re on foot, mobility device, or bike.”

For more details on the SafewaysTO initiative, visit www.safewaysTO.ca.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Cycle Toronto is a member-supported not-for-profit organization that works to transform our city’s cycling culture.

Walk Toronto is a grassroots pedestrian advocacy group that works with various levels of government, community groups and citizens to improve walking conditions and safety in Toronto.

The Bentway imagines how we build, experience, activate, and value public space together, anchored by a unique and innovative public space underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway.

Park People supports and mobilizes the power of parks to build strong communities, healthy environments and resilient cities. ​ 

Spacing Magazine pushes readers to think critically about how they can shape the public spaces that surround their everyday lives.

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For more information, please contact:

Dawn Kay
​[email protected]
​416.304.0222 Ext. 300

Linda Yahya
​[email protected]
​647.205.4081