The Avenue Road Safety Coalition (ARSC) is applauding recent efforts by the City of Toronto to improve road safety along Avenue Road, following a series of tragic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, including two major incidents — the April 30 cyclist fatality near the Avenue Road construction site and the Oct. 2 pedestrian injury at the intersection of Avenue Road and Davenport Road. “Through the Avenue Road Study, the city’s studies confirmed that Avenue Road does not provide adequate infrastructure for vulnerable road users, and the six-lane road design encourages speeding (as evidenced through the ASE [automated speed enforcement] camera data), which contributes to the high rate of vehicular collisions,” said Arlene Desjardins, spokesperson for the ARSC. According to city data, accidents on Avenue Road occur every 12 days between Davenport and Dupont.
As part of ongoing improvements, the city has already completed the installation of bike lanes from Bloor Street to Davenport Road and is working on enhancing pedestrian safety between Davenport and Dupont Street, including a series of large concrete barriers designed to block off the road. In 2025, a new pedestrian signal will be added midblock between Davenport and Dupont, at the entrance to Ramsden Park, offering a safer crossing point for residents, especially seniors and people with disabilities.
Read more: Giant Avenue Road barriers explained, Yorkville Post, December 2024
Photo: Sam Vise
