Jennifer Keesmaat, the former chief planner of Toronto and a leading voice on urban issues, dives into Canada's traffic crisis. She discusses the contentious debate over bike lanes, highlighting their potential to ease congestion versus governmental constraints. Keesmaat emphasizes the necessity of integrated urban planning and examines successful global strategies like congestion charges. She also addresses changing perceptions around cycling infrastructure, showcasing how cities can learn from examples like Montreal to create efficient urban transport systems.
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Quick takeaways
Bicycle lanes, often blamed for traffic congestion, actually enhance urban mobility by reducing car dependency and promoting alternative transportation.
Urban sprawl driven by high housing costs leads to increased car reliance, exacerbating traffic issues and necessitating improved regional planning and public transit.
Deep dives
Bicycle Infrastructure as a Traffic Solution
Bicycle lanes are essential for providing viable transportation options in urban areas, yet they have been targeted as culprits contributing to traffic congestion. Critics argue that the real issue is the excessive number of cars on the roads, creating a lack of space in cities. Data supports that bike lanes enhance urban mobility without worsening traffic; numerous studies from cities like Portland and Amsterdam have shown that cycling promotes a more complex transportation network. The idea of induced demand further suggests that urban design directly influences transportation choices, meaning that improved bicycle infrastructure encourages more cycling and less reliance on cars.
The Impact of Urban Sprawl on Congestion
Urban sprawl significantly contributes to traffic issues, as many people are forced to live farther from city centers due to rising housing costs. This phenomenon leads to a reliance on cars for commuting, exacerbating congestion even when city centers promote density and alternatives to car travel. The situation is compounded in regions like Calgary, where new developments mainly occur in less dense suburbs, lacking sufficient public transit options. The disconnect between regional planning and urban accessibility means that many residents have no feasible choice but to drive, resulting in increased traffic congestion throughout cities.
Successful Strategies to Alleviate Traffic Issues
Implementing congestion charges has proven to be an effective strategy for managing urban traffic and encouraging alternative transportation methods. Similar to successful models seen in London, where congestion charges coincided with improved public transportation options, these charges incentivize residents to explore cycling and public transport. Additionally, the data shows that well-planned comprehensive cycling networks can dramatically shift commuting habits and reduce reliance on cars, leveraging the power of convenience and safety. This successful model requires bold leadership and a commitment to transformative planning, as witnessed in Montreal’s rapid expansion of bike infrastructure.
As you’re probably well aware, traffic in cities across Canada is mind-numbingly bad. The geolocation firm TomTom recently ranked Toronto as having the worst traffic in North America with Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal also in the top ten.
And as the debates about how to fix it rage on, it’s only seeming to get worse.
That issue is being brought into sharp relief in Ontario right now, where a new bill would force municipalities across the province to get permission before installing any new bike lanes.
So here’s a conversation with Jennifer Keesmaat. She’s the former chief planner of Toronto and one of Canada’s most renowned voices on urban issues.
We’re going to talk about the solutions to traffic that don’t work and the ones that do.