The time has come to move major cycling or running events from roadways in favour of keeping traffic moving, says Toronto Councillor Doug Ford.

Ford made the comment Sunday — a day on which a triatholon forced the closures of a major part of the city’s exressway system from about 2 a.m. until noon.

Motorists had to contend with the closure of eastbound lanes on the Gardiner Expressway, from the Humber River to Carlaw Ave., the northbound Don Valley Parkway and one of Lake Shore Blvd.’s eastbound lanes.

Ford said that as Toronto’s waterfront revitalization progresses, he would revisit how and where events like marathons and cycling fundraisers are staged.

“This is something we have to sit down discuss,” said Ford, who is campaign manager for brother Mayor Rob Ford.

“Instead of closing down the roads we should look at the waterfront,” he added. “It’s a part of life in the city but we should get them off the roads.”

Motorists clogged local roadways as a number of closures took place on major routes around the city, making for slower travel times throughout the city.

With the World Cup final taking place, the closures included a portion of Front St. — from John to Simcoe Sts. — for much of the day.

The Bloor West Village BIA Festival prompted the closure Saturday of several side streets in the neighbourhood for most of the day, while a Pan Am Games event also closed a stretch of Lake Shore Blvd. between Parkside Dr. and Newfoundland Rd. that morning.

The weekend closures took place as many construction projects continue to affect major routes.