OWN seeks the dramatic rebuilding of the GTA so that older people are fully mobile in a truly liveable urban environment. OWN calls for our cities to be designed and redeveloped in such a way that seniors may safely and pleasantly walk, cycle and take transit everywhere. What’s good for seniors is good for everyone.

The Problem

This vision cannot be achieved with the current almost total reliance on the private automobile for all movement. This car dependence excludes over 40% of the population and profoundly hurts our economy, environment and safety. There seems no limit on the space and pollution cars and trucks need and produce. (Currently cars are increasing twice as fast as people!) The Toronto area is the smog capital of Canada - thus causing a threat to the health and safety of all its citizens - particularly its seniors and children. Worse, almost 60% of our urban space is exclusively for car/truck use. The majority of this space is consequently filled with noise and air pollution. The violence this creates on our streets makes movement by seniors dangerous and uninviting. Thus, as they age, people are largely trapped in their homes in fear and isolation.

Some Solutions

• Sidewalks are systematically widened, streets filled with large shade trees on boulevards (remember the way it was in the 30's and 40's?), and benches placed at regular intervals, making walking comfortable. Intersections are made much safer with corners squared and/or pinch points developed, walk signal time extended, and speed tables implemented.
• Generous bicycle lanes and bike lock units are on all streets. These bicycle facilities are designed so that seniors safely and enjoyably bicycle throughout the city. With clean air, seniors may thus gain much needed and gentle exercise as they move about shopping, working, and having fun instead of being homebound!
• To attain this clean, car-freer city, public transit must be affordable, fully accessible to the disabled; convenient, comfortable, and frequent. At least 65% of car use must be eliminated - this is the percent of car trips that are under five kilometers. "Walking buses", for example, are the way children reach school and, along with adults and seniors, maintain their health. Multi-occupant vehicles are highly favoured.
• Freed road space is thus available to walkers/bicycle lanes/in-line skating/street/fairs/markets.
• Traffic calming is in effect on every street - local and arterial.
• Car and truck speed is reduced to increase safety.
• Car parking is replaced by green space, parks, more housing, bike lanes, etc.
• Taxis, rental cars and car sharing helps eliminate much car parking.
• Result? - A green, beautiful city for seniors and everyone!

Mobility Committee, May 7, 1998
Revised March 1999

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