Grass roots, community advocacy in Toronto scored a big victory in recent weeks. A pilot project, established during the pandemic to encourage more residents to get outside, embrace the outdoors, explore their city & local communities via cycling and walking, survived another day!
On February 8th, 2023 Toronto City Council voted to accept the staff report and the recommendation of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee to make the Midtown Yonge Complete Street Pilot permanent. The Infrastructure and Environment Committee was unanimous in their support of the project and Council voted 22 to 4 in favour of making the pilot permanent. This is not only a victory for the Yonge Street bike lanes from Davisville Avenue to Bloor Street, it also extends to the very successful #CafeTO venues along the same route. This initiative was endorsed by local advocacy group #Yonge4All who gathered over 8,000 signatures from the public in support of the project, 1,000 of whom sent personal emails to City Council. Sixty-four empassioned supporters came in person to speak at City Hall before Council.
City News conducted an awesome interview with the leader of Yonge For All, Robin Richardson, prior to the final decision.
The Midtown Yonge Complete Street is only the initial piece to a greater vision for the core of Toronto along Canada’s most famous street! With detailed designs beginning in 2023, ReImagine Yonge, will revive the corridor between Sheppard Avenue and Finch Avenue and YongeTOmorrow (with plans for implementation in 2024) will enliven the area from College to Queen.