If you can’t find space to walk or ride your bike on Toronto’s busy sidewalks, you may want to try Brampton’s newest bike lane.

Last week, the city of Brampton shut down a lane of traffic to install interim bike lanes along Vodden Street, a busy urban area, to give pedestrians and cyclists more space to help them maintain the physical distancing necessary to curb the spread of coronavirus, while they enjoy the outdoors.

Other jurisdictions such as Calgary, New York and Boston have implemented similar measures on busy routes to give residents a way to avoid crowds. But in Toronto, the mayor and city staff have shot down the idea of closing roads to make more space for pedestrians, concerned that it would undermine Toronto Public Health directives, and bring more people out.

But Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said people are going to come out regardless.

“Cyclists are still going to cycle,” said Brown at a press conference on Wednesday. “Do you want joggers, walkers and cyclists on the same paths that are open? Or do you want to separate them?

“The fact is that we have roads that have never been emptier. There is no better time to open up the space for people.”

Peel Region has reported 30 per cent less traffic on the roads as a result of COVID-19.

The 7-km route is a busy urban area that includes homes, schools and grocery stores, and connects to the Etobicoke Creek Trail. Since it was only put into place on Saturday, it’s too early to say how the uptake has been, according to city officials.

But with more people using the recreational trails and warmer weather expected, the city thought it was a good time to create more safe spaces for people who venture outside.

“With warmer weather on the way, the city is dedicated to providing opportunities for physical activity as permitted under the (Emergency Measures) bylaw,” said Megan Ball, a spokesperson for the city.

Despite pressure from advocates and councillors concerned about crowded Toronto streets, the idea of shutting down lanes to make more space for pedestrians and cyclists has gained little traction in the city. The main reason touted by officials and Mayor John Tory alike is that it would bring more people out on to the streets.

Last week, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said the city’s position is that the most effective way to fight COVID-19 is to encourage people to stay home, and warned that closing lanes to car traffic could have the opposite effect.

“We do not want to inadvertently encourage people to leave their homes through opening streets, which could result in higher pedestrian demand and social gathering,” she said.

Cycling advocacy group Bike Brampton lauded the move on its blog:

“As the weather warms, there will be increased use of Brampton extensive system of pathways. These bike lanes will help relieve pressure on the paths, as well as make it easier to cycle for essential trips to groceries, pharmacies and medical centres.”

This particular route is part of a planned east-west cycling corridor connection proposed in the city’s “Active Transportation Master Plan.” The city is also working on design options to implement permanent protected bike lanes on these streets.

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Brown said that a number of other councillors are interested in expanding bike lanes in their wards, and the city is “very much open to expanding this,” he said.

As for the drivers now having the share the road? Brown says he hasn’t received many complaints yet.

“If you aren’t going to do active transportation when the roads are empty, then you are never going to do it.”

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