A review of Aberdeen Avenue with a "complete streets" focus to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists is on the way.

Coun. Aidan Johnson said the study boils down to the health and safety of children and seniors who use the busy Kirkendall thoroughfare.

Johnson stressed he wants to make Aberdeen a more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly street, but not to the exclusion of motorists.

The effort, he added, is not about competing urban-suburban interests, referring to concerns that potentially cutting a section of Aberdeen down to two lanes of traffic will bottle up Mountain drivers making their way to the lower city or 403.

"This is not about pitting neighbourhood against neighbourhood," Johnson said during Tuesday's general issues committee meeting.

A group of Kirkendall residents addressed Tuesday's general issues committee meeting to voice support for Johnson's motion.

Doctor Haier Saeed said Aberdeen is a "major impediment" for what is a "very walkable neighbourhood."

Parents of elementary schoolchildren won't let their kids walk or bike alone on the east-west avenue, said Christi Hodgson, vice-chair of the Earl Kitchener parent council.

"It's a heavily travelled but residential neighbourhood," Hodgson said.

Ned Nolan, president of the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, emphasized a complete streets rethink of Aberdeen isn't a radical idea.

Nolan said proposed measures should be subject to "careful study by experts" with consideration to community concerns.

Coun. Terry Whitehead said he supported the "spirit" of Johnson's effort, but argued reducing Aberdeen to two lanes would make Mountain accesses more congested.

But Whitehead said he looks "forward to the comprehensive approach" to the Aberdeen study.

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The Aberdeen study will take place after the city's transportation master plan review is completed.

This will make sure it's not done without the context of the bigger picture, but before light-rail plans are finalized, Johnson noted.