Author: Walk Toronto

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Walk Toronto comments at IEC about the Net Zero climate change strategy, bike lanes, and sidewalk snow plowing

Walk Toronto

At the December 2025 meeting of the City of Toronto Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Walk Toronto steering committee members gave commentary on three items that are significant to pedestrians.

First, on the item “TransformTO Net Zero Strategy: Action Plan (2026-2030),” Lee Scott submitted and communication and also deputed in person on behalf of Walk Toronto. Lee highlighted that encouraging walking is a fundamental element of reducing carbon emissions to meet Toronto’s Net Zero goals, but that walking seems to be largely neglected as part of the strategy, despite the fact that many walking issues are entirely within the city’s purview. She said, “The daily pedestrian experience in Toronto currently involves countless indignities … all of which seem to be lowhanging fruit that the city can correct without restriction from federal or provincial governments.” Walk Toronto steering committee member Susan Bakshi also separately deputed on this item.

Second, on the item “Cycling Network Plan – 2025 Cycling Infrastructure Fourth Quarter Update,” Lee Scott and other Walk Toronto members submitted a communication on behalf of Walk Toronto in support of the expansion of cycle lanes, which also improve the safety and quality of life of pedestrians.

Finally, on the item “Response to Council Directions on Sidewalk Clearing Requirements and the Status of Modernizing PlowTO,” Adam Cohoon, a Walk Toronto member, submitted a communication and deputed in person on the challenges faced by wheelchair users when sidewalk snow removal is ineffective.

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Walk Toronto advocates for pedestrian scramble intersection at Yonge and Eglinton

Walk Toronto

Walk Toronto was surprised and disappointed to learn that Transportation Services staff were recommending against the implementation of a pedestrian scramble intersection at Yonge and Eglinton, despite the intersection meeting the very strict required conditions, evidence of dangerous crowding, and the support of local councillors.

Walk Toronto submitted a communication and deputed in person at the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) to refute the staff arguments, which appeared to be based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how scrambles work in Toronto, and to advocate for reconsidering a pedestrian scramble intersection after the Eglinton Crosstown LRT has commenced operations.

Walk Toronto was pleased that the IEC directed staff to reconsider the pedestrian scramble intersection once the Crosstown LRT is in operation. We hope this will provide an opportunity for staff to reconsider their analysis and change their recommendation.

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto writes to Infrastructure and Environment Committee about walking issues

Walk Toronto

At the July 10 meeting of the Toronto City Council Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Walk Toronto filed a submission or presented a deputation from Walk Toronto Steering Committee member, Adam Cohoon on several issues related to walking, including a Chief Congestion Officer, the Missing Sidewalk Program, and to support the construction of a sidewalk on Hesketh Court.
 
IE. 23.4 Establishing a Chief Congestion Officer for the City of Toronto. 
Read the letter (PDF) submitted on behalf of Walk Toronto by Lee Scott.
 
IE 23.6 Cycling Network Plan – 2025 Cycling Infrastructure and Missing Sidewalk Installation – Second Quarter Update.
Read the letter (PDF) submitted on behalf of Walk Toronto by Lee Scott.
 
IE 23.11 Hesketh Court –  Proposed New Sidewalk Construction.
Read the letter (PDF) submitted on behalf of Walk Toronto by Susan Bakshi.

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto supports recommendations of Winter Maintenance Program Review

Walk Toronto

Walk Toronto wrote to the Executive Committee of City Council to support the recommendations of the Winter Maintenance Program Review.

After the severe snowstorms of February 2025, pedestrians had significant complaints about inadequate and erratic plowing of sidewalks, which made walking difficult, dangerous, and, for some, impossible for many days.

Walk Toronto supported a motion in March for a Winter Maintenance Program Review to look at how winter maintenance can be improved in response to major snow events.

Walk Toronto is pleased with the significant recommendations that have come out of this review, including for a Major Snow Event Response Plan. We encourage City Council to implement these recommendations in time for the next winter season.

Walk Toronto’s Adam Cohoon also wrote separately to the Executive Committee (PDF), and spoke at the meeting, about the difficulties faced by wheelchair users during and after these storms.

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto comments on Vision Zero and pedestrian streets at City committee

Walk Toronto

At the June 2025 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Walk Toronto submitted comments regarding making it easier to establish safe pedestrian crossings, and establishing pedestrian zones on city streets.

For the item “Updates on Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives: Improving Crossings for Pedestrians, Updated Road Classification Criteria and Other Matters,” Walk Toronto’s Dylan Reid submitted comments supporting making it easier to establish safe pedestrian crossings where there was a long distance to another crossing, or where a pedestrian had been killed or seriously injured. These are changes Walk Toronto has long advocated for. However, we urge the City to establish safe crossing points at locations that local communities identify as dangerous before anyone is killed or seriously injured, rather than after.

Walk Toronto’s Adam Cohoon also submitted comments regarding safe crossing technology, and spoke in person at the meeting.

For the item “Pedestrian Streets Policy and Guidelines Development – Accessibility Feedback,” Walk Toronto’s Michael Black submitted comments supporting the City of Toronto’s initiative to establish more pedestrian streets while ensuring accessible access, but calling on the city to be more ambitious with establishing pedestrian zones than just small sections of individual blocks.

Read Michael Black’s comments regarding pedestrian streets (PDF)

Events

An engaging Jane’s Walk about pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

Walk Toronto

A big thank you to the very engaged group that came out for our Jane’s Walk, “Bike lanes (or lack of): the pedestrian experience” on Saturday May 3, 2025, in conjunction with Albert Koehl of the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition! Led by Albert and Walk Toronto’s Lee Scott and Dylan Reid, we walked along the Danforth discussing how cycling and pedestrian infrastructure work together to create safer streets, and then explored the partial “green line” north of Danforth above the subway line. Thank you to Robert Zaichkowski for the pics!

Find out more about the walk here: https://www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/saturday-may-3-2025/bike-lanes-pedestrian-experience

 

 

Events

Walk Toronto will host a Jane’s Walk, “Bike Lanes (or lack of): The Pedestrian Experience”

Walk Toronto

Walk Toronto is hosting a Jane’s Walk on Jane’s Walk weekend: “Bike Lanes (or lack of): The Pedestrian Experience” on Saturday, May 3, from 3-4:30pm. Join walk leaders Albert Koehl, Dylan Reid and Lee Scott for a stroll along the vibrant Danforth community as we consider the historical context of bike lanes, talk about the planning considerations necessary to create a complete street, and share our experiences as pedestrians. Start and finish at Chester Station.

Other walks led by members of the Walk Toronto Steering Committee include  “Humber River Traders, Settlers, Ravines and Nature” co-led by Pam Gough on Sunday May 4, at 9am meeting at the Old Mill subway station, “Canary in the Pan-am Nest 2025” co-led by Adam Cohoon on Sunday, May 4 at 1pm meeting under the lights sculpture, and “From Tomatoes to Townhouses: Bennington Heights” led by Geoff Kettel on Sunday, May 4 at 2pm meeting at Evergreen Gardens Park on the south side of Moore Avenue just west of Bayview Avenue.

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto comments on the importance of pedestrian safety in congestion and construction management

Walk Toronto

At the Infrastructure and Environment committee meeting, held April 9, 2024,  Walk Toronto made submissions on two items.

Congestion and construction issues were up for discussion as Transportation Services offered to committee the IE20.3 Congestion Management Plan – 2025 Update. Much of the plan prioritizes solutions to speed up the movement of vehicles with special focus on how to manage construction sites and their impact on city-wide road congestion. Walk Toronto has repeatedly voiced concern over the prioritization of vehicle movement over the safe and timely passage of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

In another agenda item put forward by Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale), and also related to the heavy burden Toronto citizens face related to construction, Susan Bakshi posted a submission on behalf of Walk Toronto for IE20.12 Breathing Easier During Construction, supporting Saxe’s motion to reduce construction “nuisance” dust which is reducing comfort and safety of pedestrians.

 

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto supports review of sidewalk snow clearing after major storms

Walk Toronto

In the wake of the significant disruptions caused by the record snowfall in February, Walk Toronto’s Lee Scott  wrote to the March 19, 2025 meeting of Toronto City Council’s Executive Committee  to emphasize the vulnerability of pedestrians in major snowfalls and to support a review of sidewalk snow clearing procedures in those circumstances.

Walk Toronto’s Adam Cohoon also wrote to Executive Committee with specific recommendations in terms of accessibility for major snow events.

Latest Issues

Walk Toronto addresses multiple issues at the Infrastructure and Environment Committee

Walk Toronto

Walk Toronto submitted multiple communications at the February 27, 2025 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, and Walk Toronto’s Adam Cohoon deputed in person for several items. Walk Toronto supported various proposals to make Toronto a better, safer, more comfortable, and less polluted city for walking.