Investing in active transportation: London’s pandemic “silver lining”

Article by Laura Wall

Active Transportation dfn “Active mobility, active travel, active transport or active transportation is the transport of people or goods, through non-motorized means, based around human physical activity. “ Wikipedia

The Challenge

At the first Place Matters conference held in London last September, a global thought-leader on urban design Brent Toderian challenged us to “do things differently”. He was addressing the collective – Londoners and each of us individually. I remember walking home that beautiful autumn afternoon committed to a new direction knowing I wanted to do my part.

Finding my path

What resonated? The idea that a city designed to give people active transportation options tackles key issues of climate change, healthy living, economic and social inequities, and human connectedness. This is not an anti-car culture stance but a reality check and a chance to disrupt our current trajectory.

And by the way, did you know there are 292,000* personal vehicles registered in London population 385,000? An average of 1.3 residents (all ages) per vehicle.

What is needed to change London into a healthy, vibrant, cleaner, accessible and kinder city? Extensive, connected, and well-planned active transportation infrastructure. That, pardon the pun, has become my path and the challenge I urge all of us to support.

A global movement

Well before the pandemic, the active transportation movement was growing. Promising examples exist in parts of Canada like Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal and across the globe notably the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. And while London’s 2016 Cycling Master Plan laid out multi-year improvements for biking, the pace of growth has been slow with significant gaps linking existing routes. Sidewalk development also meets with resistance.

Safe active transportation infrastructure is also important for public transit: the first and last part of trips depend on physically getting to your stop or from the bus to your destination. Research has shown that when you build safe and active streets, everyone benefits including those who drive.

What Covid-19 showed us

Covid-19 gave us a glimpse of the possible. It amplified what urban centres need to address including how we move. During the shutdown, when two-thirds of the population worked from home or were unemployed, we stayed in our neighbourhoods.

Pollution levels dropped, traffic congestion decreased, and more people were outside moving. Record bike sales, congestion on the Thames Valley Parkway and sidewalks, and the uptick in biking, rolling, walking and running on neighbourhood streets. This happened. Everyone noticed. And when the shutdown lifted people were still outside but like a switch, traffic congestion returned.

It also magnified significant mobility gaps. For those whose work was essential, front-line and never stopped they faced barriers, especially those dependent on public transit with increased exposure risk and cuts to service. Hardest hit were women, lower-income and racialized communities.

How Covid-19 is our opportunity

While London was not bold, opening only a few temporary bike lanes this spring/summer, something was happening. A collaboration between Big Bike Giveaway and Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op provided 120 refurbished bicycles to low-income essential workers allowing them to commute to jobs safely during the pandemic. Municipal and community leaders began planning for expected funding opportunities to meet recovery on many fronts including a focus on expanding options for people to bike to schools, services, shopping, work, and for recreation.

Staff in consultation with community experts in active transportation and an equity lens developed the case for support and identified best opportunities to increase the number of bike lanes, bike-friendly boulevards, and safer intersections. Taking full advantage of both provincial and federal funding programs, city engineers presented councillors with a plan (starting at page 67) to fast-track construction and enhancement of 39 kilometres of cycling lanes and 9 kilometres of new sidewalks and park trails.

While London’s share of the federal funding bucket couldn’t support the proposed $28 million worth of projects, there will be $6.1 million in active transportation infrastructure in 2021. Investments like this are transformative. So is the decision to hire an Active Transportation Manager who will bring specialized knowledge to infrastructure projects for pedestrians and cyclists. This signals optimism that re-designing our city for active transportation will continue beyond the immediate impetus of a major funding opportunity.

“Do things differently”

Working from home, followed by layoff and notice of termination meant I started my new path in earnest during this pandemic. I walk or bike to do my shopping, appointments and recreation. Our car is used once a week at most. I also signed on to help advocate for city-wide active transportation infrastructure.

I will not return to how things were before. I made the choice to do things differently. Please join me and be part of our city’s redesign: let your Councillor know that you support making London an active transportation leader.

Now is London’s time to be bold. Now we can do things differently.

*As of 2019. This figure includes 3,200 hybrids and 830 electric.

Laura Wall lives in Wortley Village and is committed to a healthy, environmentally sustainable lifestyle. She worked over two decades for the Canadian Cancer Society most recently as Director of Planning and Campaigns for Ontario. With volunteer and work experience leading, coaching, advocating and planning, she is pursuing opportunities to strengthen community engagement and effect change. Recently she signed on to a five-month contract with the Urban League of London. Laura is passionate about all things outdoors, especially gardening and physical activity.

Thanks to London Cycle Link for the photos