Thanks to the efforts of the Avenue Road Safety Coalition (ARSC) supporters, Councillor Saxe, and the Transportation Services staff, we achieved significant milestones in 2024 to enhance safety on Avenue Road between St. Clair Avenue and Bloor Street. We recognize that this year has been challenging for many due to changes in provincial government policies. Nevertheless, you stepped up to write letters, attend meetings, and present your opinions to City Committees, which were crucial in advocating for a safer Avenue Road.
Your efforts focused attention on the serious safety concerns on Avenue Road and have been instrumental in our mission to improve road safety. Thank you for being an essential partner on our journey!
The City’s studies of Avenue Road between St. Clair and Bloor over the past 7 years confirmed that Avenue Road does not provide adequate infrastructure for vulnerable road users. The sidewalks are dangerously narrow, and the six-lane road design encourages speeding, contributing to the high vehicular collision rate. (The City’s data shows vehicular collisions occur every 12 days on Avenue Road between Davenport and Dupont Road.) In 2024, in response to these conditions and the recent fatalities and serious injuries, the City began to address the serious safety issues along this two 2-kilometre section of Avenue Road.
One kilometre in Ward 11 almost completed
Thanks to the perseverance and leadership of Councillor Saxe, the City has completed the installation of bike lanes extending from Bloor to Davenport and implemented pedestrian safety improvements from Davenport to Dupont Road while accommodating four vehicle lanes. These enhancements included the installation of concrete barriers to protect pedestrians using the substandard and unsafe sidewalks. As a result, safety in this area has significantly improved, providing reassurance for cyclists and pedestrians while effectively reducing vehicular speeding.
The City Council has approved a new signalized pedestrian crossing between Davenport and Dupont at Ramsden Park to enhance safe accessibility to the park, especially for seniors and individuals with disabilities living in the surrounding community. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve the park’s visibility and create a safer entrance along Avenue Road, recognizing its status as one of the City’s six significant Portal Parks designated in the Downtown Plan.
Just one kilometre to go
In Ward 12, Councillor Matlow has strongly supported the Avenue Road Safety Coalition (ARSC) and recognizes the dangers posed by the narrow sidewalks. He describes the sidewalks along Avenue Road as “so narrow that it feels like walking on a tightrope next to a highway.” (View Councillor Matlow’s full TEYCC remarks- link below). The Coalition looks forward to Councillor Matlow’s ongoing support of the Phase 2 (Ward 12, road safety recommendations for the Avenue Road Study, which will be presented to the City Council in 2025.
In 2024, the Avenue Road Safety Coalition was honoured for its Community Leadership and received recognition from Jessica Bell, MPP University—Rosedale, for our leadership in improving road safety. This year, ARSC has grown its supporters to include 35 local and city-wide organizations representing schools and parent councils, transportation advocates, seniors residences, churches and temples, resident associations, developers, and climate and other road safety advocates. With your ongoing involvement and support, we are well-prepared for 2025, where we will continue our eight years of advocacy and complete our goal.
Our vision for the future
Reflecting on the ARSC’s accomplishments in 2024, we are reminded that these goals were inspired by Brown and Storey’s vision, “Reinventing the Avenue.” This vision encourages us to advocate for a pedestrian-friendly and vibrant public space in our community, ensuring safe passage for all road users on Avenue Road and restoring Avenue Road to its Great Street status.
We sincerely appreciate your commitment to safe, climate-friendly, and multi-modal road safety initiatives. Your continued support is crucial as we look forward to achieving our goal in 2025. We wish all our ARSC supporters and your families and friends a safe and happy holiday season and all the best for the new year!
Organizations supporting ARSC
Councillor Matlow TEYCC remarks
Feature image: Mary Crandall, via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
