This project grew out of a conversation between a cyclist and an e-bike rider about the need for
more respect and courtesy among different road users on the streets of Toronto. Growing
congestion has resulted in more aggression and carelessness on the part of drivers, cyclists,
pedestrians and other road users.
more respect and courtesy among different road users on the streets of Toronto. Growing
congestion has resulted in more aggression and carelessness on the part of drivers, cyclists,
pedestrians and other road users.
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The consequences are serious: Toronto’s traffic fatalities reached 63 in 2013—a ten-year high,
and higher than the number of homicides in the same year (56).
and higher than the number of homicides in the same year (56).
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Our project is a modest outreach campaign that involves the development of a website with
public awareness tools and resources that call attention in a light-hearted but pointed way to
dangerous and disrespectful street behaviours, like aggressive and distracted driving, like
cyclists or anyone else running red lights, or wandering into traffic while texting.
public awareness tools and resources that call attention in a light-hearted but pointed way to
dangerous and disrespectful street behaviours, like aggressive and distracted driving, like
cyclists or anyone else running red lights, or wandering into traffic while texting.
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Once the website has been launched, we will drive people to the site by handing out stickers
and pamphlets at streetside stops, music festivals, etc. In the fall, teams will visit local high
schools to reach students around the time they’re learning to drive. Just as Mothers Against
Drunk Driving made drinking and driving socially unacceptable, this project component plans to
do the same for other threats to street safety.
and pamphlets at streetside stops, music festivals, etc. In the fall, teams will visit local high
schools to reach students around the time they’re learning to drive. Just as Mothers Against
Drunk Driving made drinking and driving socially unacceptable, this project component plans to
do the same for other threats to street safety.
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If there is interest in taking the project city-wide, we will gladly partner with other community
groups, TPS Traffic Services and/or other Divisions of the Toronto Police.
groups, TPS Traffic Services and/or other Divisions of the Toronto Police.
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A special thank you to Share The Road Nova Scotia, who provided some excellent graphics for our use with this project.
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In the News
InsideToronto.com (June 9th 2015) Davenport-area resident Donna Cowan helps spawn street safety initiative
Toronto Star (Jan 21st 2015) Community groups finding collaboration a great way to strengthen neighbourhoods
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Street Safety Initiative 