Community Bikeways

for health, safety, equity, and climate action

Community Bikeways (aka the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition (TCBC)) is a volunteer advocacy group that believes municipal transportation priorities must be urgently re-ordered toward better cycling, transit, and walking facilities.

We advocate for the reallocation of public road space away from motor traffic to cleaner, more efficient transportation options. We believe that by creating welcoming, vibrant streetscapes for people, we encourage healthy, active transportation within sustainable communities, and a more liveable city. 

This approach not only helps address the climate emergency by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but advances collective goals of equity, public health, and road safety.

Our activities revolve around three pillars:

  • We strive to hold City Hall accountable for progress on its bike plans and infrastructure, and its cycling capital budget spending. But accountability goes beyond numbers. It also includes tracking progress on the city’s climate, public health, equity, and road safety policies.

    Since the utility and safety of bikeways are equally important, we call for accountability regarding efforts to ensure (a) bikeways are well maintained and useable in all weather; (b) regularly upgraded to reflect the best design standards; (c) kept free of illegal intrusion by cars and trucks; and (d) that people on foot or bike are afforded safe options at road construction sites.

  • We recognize and celebrate the many communities, organizations, and individuals that share our vision. We strive to collaborate and network with community groups, and amplify their voices.

    We established this coalition in June 2020, shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, to campaign for the immediate installation of 100 kilometres of bikeways along busy transit routes to serve transit-reliant residents and essential workers. Our group’s volunteers formalized this demand in a petition signed by 120 Toronto community groups. Speaking with a unified voice strengthened our cause.

    Over the ensuing 18 months the city installed 50 kilometres of new on-street bikeways; unprecedented progress in a city where failure to achieve bike plans had become a habit. Although this number fell far short of what the city needs, it was a foundation upon which to build.

  • In the absence of access to timely and clear information from government, it has fallen to local communities to investigate and publicize information necessary for effective advocacy, including (a) details about budget allocation and spending on cycling facilities; (b) the annual number and type of new bikeway installations; (c) the measures taken to address road safety deficiencies after injurious or deadly crashes; and (d) progress on implementing targets set out in the city's climate action and road safety plans.

While our focus is on utilitarian cycling, we also appreciate the simple joy a bicycle gives its riders, reflected in fun events we hold throughout the year to lift spirits and renew bonds of friendship.

If you share our vision of Toronto and are interested in volunteering your time or skills, please get in touch with us here. A city-wide coalition strengthens our efforts and increases our impact.

And if you haven’t already done so, please sign up via the form below to receive our seasonal newsletter outlining group activities and accomplishments.