Item - 2015.HL5.6
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on June 29, 2015 and was adopted with amendments.
HL5.6 - Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety in Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Expresses its support to Toronto City Council to commit an annual capital budget of at least $20 million to implement a "minimum grid" of cycling infrastructure by 2018.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to work with Transportation Services and its Road Safety Advisory Group to identify effective ways to reduce speeds and improve safety on arterial and local roads by:
a. reducing posted speed limits;
b. exploring strategies to increase speed limit compliance;
c. enhancing public education about road safety, with a focus on motor vehicle drivers and vulnerable groups including youth and seniors;
d. improving road design to better protect pedestrians and cyclists; and
e. identifying opportunities to raise awareness of pedestrian safety in private driveways and parking lots.
2. Expressed its support to the Ontario Minister of Transportation for amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to permit municipalities to adopt lower default speed limits according to their local context and the ability to double the fines.
3. Forwarded the report (June 15, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Toronto Transit Commission for their consideration in road safety education for public transit operators.
4. Forwarded the report (June 15, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to the appropriate Committees for their information.
5. Forwarded the report (June 15, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to 8-80 Cities, Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), Canadian Automobile Association, Canadian Institute of Planners, Canadian Public Health Association, Canadian Urban Institute, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Chief Coroner of Ontario, City of Toronto Road Safety Advisory Group, Civic Action, Clean Air Partnership, Cycle Toronto, Heart and Stroke Foundation, MADD, Metrolinx, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario Medical Association, Ontario Public Health Association, Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Ontario Safety League, Parachute, Public Health Ontario, Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Toronto Centre for Active Transportation, Toronto Cycling Think and Do Tank, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto Police Services, Transportation Association of Canada, Urban Public Health Network.
Origin
Summary
Walking and cycling are important forms of active transportation that have significant health benefits including lower all-cause mortality and reductions in many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Walking and cycling also indirectly improve the health of the population by reducing motor vehicle trips. This lowers air pollution, greenhouse gases, noise, and traffic congestion.
Despite the many health benefits, people who walk and cycle are at increased risk of injury or death as a result of collisions with motor vehicles when compared to people travelling in cars or using public transit. Concerns about safety can result in people being less likely to travel using these modes of active transportation.
This report describes the health impacts of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in Toronto. It provides clear evidence that both behavioural and built environment characteristics contribute to the likelihood of a collision occurring and the severity of injury that may result. Young adults and youth are especially vulnerable to collisions, but older adults (65 years and older) are at greatest risk of severe injuries. Collisions that result in pedestrian and cyclist injury or death most commonly occur on roads with higher posted speeds like major and minor arterial roads.
Numerous road safety initiatives have been implemented throughout the City, however there are additional important opportunities for Toronto to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. Implementing measures to slow driver speeds is an essential way to improve safety. Reducing posted speed limits as well as changes to the built environment such as designing streets that include narrower and fewer travel lanes, medians, and other traffic calming measures are effective ways to reduce speeds and therefore prevent injuries and deaths. Increased education for pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicle drivers will also improve safety by improving knowledge and skills.
This report recommends strategies to reduce the risk of vehicle collisions. Reducing speed limits along with measures to increase compliance, enhanced education, and improved road design collectively will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Toronto.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-81600.pdf
Attachment 1: Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety in Toronto
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-81601.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-53775.pdf
(June 29, 2015) E-mail from Karen Buck (HL.New.HL5.6.2)
(June 29, 2015) E-mail from Hamish Wilson (HL.New.HL5.6.3)
Speakers
Hamish Wilson
Karen Buck
Nancy Smith Lea, Director, Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) Clean Air Partnership
Motions
That the Board of Health express its support to Toronto City Council to commit an annual capital budget of at least $20 million to implement a "minimum grid" of cycling infrastructure by 2018.
That:
1. Recommendation 2 be amended by adding "and the ability to double the fines" following "their local context" so that the recommendation now reads:
"2. The Board of Health express its support to the Ontario Minister of Transportation for amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to permit municipalities to adopt lower default speed limits according to their local context and the ability to double the fines;"
That Recommendation 4 be amended to:
4. The Board of Health forward this report to the appropriate Committees for information.