Less than 24 hours before Saturday’s memorial bike ride for Xavier Morgan, city crews installed temporary barriers on a section of Lake Shore Blvd. W., where the 5-year-old boy lost his life last month.

The junior kindergarten student was struck by a car after falling into traffic while biking on the Martin Goodman Trail along the busy, multi-lane roadway near Jameson Ave.

The barriers will eventually be replaced by 366 metres of permanent fencing separating trail users and motorists, the city announced Friday. New signs and pavement markings will also be added for cyclists and drivers.

“This barrier fending, along with other measures, will provide additional security for cyclists and pedestrians along this section and remind motorists of the many users of the trail,” Councillor Jaye Robinson, chair of the public works and infrastructure committee, said in a news release.

Mayor John Tory asked city officials to conduct a safety review of Toronto’s approximately 300-kilometre network of multi-use trails after the tragedy.

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“This will provide more security and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians who use this trail,” Tory said in a statement.

Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park) said the “terrible loss” of Xavier “reminds us that we must do better.” His ward includes that stretch of Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“These first steps will help. We have more work to do to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians are always safe.”

Jared Kolb, executive director of Cycle Toronto, praised the city for its “quick, bold, decisive action.”

Kolb said he hopes the city will continue its review, particularly with an eye to improving safety on trails promoted as family friendly, “which means you’re going to have people of all ages and abilities on them.”

Transportation Services is continuing to examine other trail locations across the city adjacent to major roadways to see if any further modifications would be beneficial.

An organizer of Saturday’s memorial bike ride said he was encouraged by the city’s move.

“It’s very good that the city is putting in a permanent solution for this problem,” said Joey Schwartz of the Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists group.

“It’s very unfortunate a person had to die for them to do so.”

The memorial ride begins at Spadina Ave. and Bloor St. at 10 a.m. and will end at the Canadian Legion on Lake Shore Blvd. West.

Schwartz said he hopes the city replaces the temporary fencing with Jersey Barriers, which are in place along other sections along Lake Shore Blvd. The concrete structures could help prevent cars from mounting the curb and crossing onto the trail.

On Saturday, organizers plan to install a small “ghost” bike near the site where Xavier Morgan died, though the exact location will have to be reconsidered in light of the newly installed fence, Schwartz said.

While the boy’s death has helped shine a light on road safety, Schwartz believes attitudes toward cyclists in Toronto still need to change.

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“We’ve had so many tragic deaths over the last even five years,” including the death of Swansea Public School teacher Tom Samson who was killed while cycling to school. Xavier Morgan was a student at Swansea.

“Tom’s case alone should have changed peoples’ perspective . . . but it didn’t,” Schwartz said.

Everyone needs to realize that “bikes are vehicles and we are supposed to be on the road and we need specific, safe infrastructure. My biggest issue with the city is too much (of the infrastructure) is inferior.”