A handful of Canadian cities are experimenting with open streets — streets that are temporarily closed to cars, opening up spaces for cyclists and pedestrians.
There is often debate in Toronto about the heft that cars have in the public space and the safety of the people on two wheels alongside them, as well as nearby pedestrians.
"It still remains quite hazardous to cycle in the city and many people are afraid to do it," said Beth Savan, an expert in active transportation and senior lecturer emeritus at the University of Toronto's School of Environment.the past decadeYet despite these very real concerns about the need for safer roads, there are still tensions over how Toronto decides to reallocate portions of that space — on a temporary basis — during the summer.
The city created ActiveTO in 2020, early in the pandemic, to promote active ways of getting around. Its programs included closing off some streets to cars on certain days. The program was initially hailed as a success by former mayor John Tory, but city stafflast year, in part because of driver frustration.
"Since street events in Toronto are back to pre-pandemic levels, it is difficult to find weekends where the ActiveTO Lake Shore Boulevard West closure would not conflict with other planned events or add to traffic congestion in the city," a spokesperson said via email.Similar disagreement has emerged in Ottawa, also over a seasonal program shifting where pedestrians, bicycles and cars can roam.
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