Survey Results

Active Transportation

1.Walking and Cycling to School

Despite the benefits described above, the percentage significantly in recent decades. This decline has contributed traffic congestion, and environmental pollution.

Can you describe what proportion of students walk or cycle to school in your ward?
I would estimate that around 40% to 50% of students walk or cycle to school in my ward.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments Yes. Walking and cycling to school is a good form of exercise, reduces pollution and congestion on streets around schools, thereby, reducing the risk of accidents at and around school drop-off areas.

2.Walking Safety Education

Walking safety programs taught in elementary school play an important role in teaching young children how to walk safely in the city, which reduces accidents and gives children the confidence to begin to walk regularly.

Can you describe the extent to which walking safety is taught in elementary schools in your ward?
My understanding is that it is not taught in elementary schools except when a specific walk to school campaign is going on.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments Definitely we should increase opportunities for teaching children about walking safety.

3. Cycling Courses

Various levels of cycling courses can be made available at public schools. These courses give students confidence to ride their bikes in the city, and the skills to make sure they can do so safely.

Can you describe the extent to which cycling courses are provided at schools in your ward?
I am not aware of any cycling courses in the schools in my ward.

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I think the schools should, in conjunction with the police, be holding regular bicycle rodeos and other forms of cycling education to teach children how to cycle safely.

4. Bicycle Locking Facilities

In order for students to ride their bikes to school, they must be confident that there are sufficient and secure facilities for them to lock their bikes on school property. However, the provision of such facilities varies widely from school to school.

Can you describe how much provision there is for locking bikes securely on school property in your ward?
I know of a few lockable racks at schools in my ward.

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments Given the risk of bicycle theft in Toronto, it is imperative that the schools provide lockable racks if we are to encourage children to cycle to school.

Walking

5. The School Vicinity

Issues with the area around schools can make it dangerous or uncomfortable for students to walk or cycle to school. For example, there may be a dangerous street crossing, traffic may move too quickly, there may be excessive car traffic from parents driving kids to school, sidewalks may be inadequate for the volume of walking student, or there may be a lack of bike lanes leading to the school.

Can you describe any issues with the safety and comfort of students walking or cycling in the vicinity of schools in your ward?
There are very few bike lanes leading to schools in my ward. There are a number of dangerous street crossings on busy major streets adjacent to or nearby schools in my ward. In many cases, the sidewalks are too narrow for the volume of students walking and being dropped off in front of schools in my ward.

Do you support working with the City of Toronto to address these issues?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments As a former East York Councillor, I have a record of being supportive of traffic calming measures, sidewalk improvements and bike lanes aimed at reducing the risk of accidents for both cyclists and pedestrians.

6. Reducing Car Use

The use of cars to get to and from schools by parents, students, and teachers increases congestion and pollution, and causes danger and discomfort to students and teachers who walk or cycle to school. As well, excessively large school parking lots reduce green space for students and have negative environmental impacts.

Do you support taking measures to reduce the use of cars for transportation to and from school by parents, students, and teachers? If the answer is yes, please describe what measures you would support.

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments As an East York Councillor, I led a four-year campaign for the introduction – then expansion – of the Cosburn 87 bus route. Today, hundreds of East York Collegiate and Cosburn Middle School students in my ward start and end their school day riding the Cosburn 87 bus. I also strongly supported the introduction of bike lanes on Cosburn. I would continue such efforts aimed at encouraging the use of walking, cycling and transit instead of cars.