Written and Edited by Kha Den De / Lera

Rendering of Winterways Installation
Image by The Laneway Project

Toronto's transit system is a hot topic for discussion that never reaches a conclusion. We have all been in a situation when the streetcar or bus is delayed by 20 minutes and when it finally comes you have to force yourself in and spend a ride squeezed among other passengers. As someone who has been living in Toronto for a while now, I find myself turning to active modes of transportation more and more, instead of using the TTC. The reasoning is that it is often faster, more enjoyable, and allows some physical activity in a world where we spend most days sitting at work or school.

By definition, active transportation means getting from one place to another using your own power and includes walking, biking, skateboarding, etc. However, the problem with Toronto in particular, is that there are numerous construction works, that often block the sidewalks, and bike lanes are simply nonexistent on many roads.

Such obstacles are often discouraging. As a casual bike user, I sometimes have to choose a half an hour streetcar ride over fifteen minutes biking trip as I am reluctant to bike on a car lane of a busy street. And that is why, I see great potential in developing a better active transportation infrastructure, especially, considering the fact that several Toronto-based initiatives like The Laneway Project and The Green Line have already started to transform underutilized laneways and alleyways into attractive alternative corridors for pedestrians and cyclists through greening and revitalization.

It is important to acknowledge that active transportation is not a viable solution for everyone. For instance, parents with young children, older adults, or differently abled individuals may opt to travel by car. Nonetheless, there is a great number of commuters like myself, who currently travel by car and public transit that could make a switch to active transportation.