Public Meeting Now Slated For February

Due to the upcoming federal election to be held on January 23rd. the Oxton-Oriole Pedestrian safety meeting has been postponed until February 2005.

Councillor Walker's office has promised to provide sufficient advance notice [which will allow me time to get a flyer under your your door (buildings 100, 110, 120, 130 Oriole Parkway) with details of the meeting.

Again, the purpose of this meeting is to allow Councillor Walker to gauge the level of public concern over this intersection so your attendance will be crutial if progress towards safety at the corner of Oxton Avenue and Oriole Parkway is to be made!

Please make a special effort to attend. Seee you there!

Regards, Mark

(You can comment on this post and others by clicking on the "Comment" link below)

My Computer Blew Up!

Regular visitors to my site might have come to the conclusion "not much has been happening!" Well, it's really because my computer blew up and I haven't had one (and too busy at work these days) so updating the site has been problematic!

We'll, thanks to my fiance who has let me borrow her computer while mine is out of action, I'm back in action so look for regular updating going forward!

Regards, Mark

Now Even More Cars (2)

Earlier I wrote about the North Hill District Home Owner's Association pressing the city to introduce restrict right turns off Avenue between 7:00am - 9:00am at Hillholmn, Killarney and Kilbarry, suggesting that this will further complicate pedestrian safety.

Well it seems nobody could agree on the changes so the idea has been postponed. We'll see what happens in the future.

(You can comment on this post and others by clicking on the "Comment" link below)

Now Even More Cars Onto Oxton Avenue...

The North Hill District Home Owner's Association is pressing the city to make road changes that will push even more traffic onto Oxton Avenue (which already sees 20,000 cars a day).

Basically, they want to introduce restrict right turns off Avenue between 7:00am - 9:00am at Hillholmn, Killarney and Kilbarry, further complicating pedestrian safety at the corner of Oxton-Oriole.

To learn more about this proposal visit Councillor Walker's web site.

View an area map

(You can comment on this post and others by clicking on the "Comment" link below)

Stop Sign Deferred Indefinitely...

It looks like stop sign at Oxton-Oriole has been deferred indefinitely at Community Council (the speed limit change not being a problem) and will be referred back to the works committee for their next meeting January 11, 2006 by Councillor Walker...

Again, we thank Councillor Walker for his efforts on our behalf.

Regards, mark

(You can comment on this post and others by clicking on the "Comment" link below)

Same Crazy Thinking as ROM Building Puts Highway Through Neighbourhood

Is it any wonder the ROM "invisible icon," (love that developer line and especially the citizen that asked what an "invisible building" [icon] looked like) 45 story tall building next door to the museum got canned! Totally, out of context with its environment.

Putting a highway through a residencial neighbourhood (ours) is just as "out of context" as the ROM building was before the project was ended. Egg all round I should think.

Folks, I think we now have a fight on our hands as the city (I exclude Councillor Walker here for the time being) is now lined up against Pedestrian Safety at Oxton-Oriole.

Regards, Mark

Oxton Avenue New 40 Km Signs Up Before Christmas

Word just in from Councillor Michael Walker...

Oxton Avenue's speed reduction from 50 km to the 40 km speed limit has been approved and the new sign limit signs should be up just before Christmas.

If you spot one of the new signs please send me an email me as I'm usually the last to hear about Oxton-Oriole improvements!

Regards, Mark

Drivers Were Car Horn Crazy Last Sunday!

Unbelievable...

That's all I can say! Last Sunday (Nov 7th, 2005) the car horns sounding at Oxton Avenue and Oriole Parkway were the worst I've ever heard them. Those poor people living in the corner building must have gone absolutely "nuts" with the sheer number of totally inconsiderate, irate and impatient drivers passing by their apartments.

The residents of that building will have to get themselves out to the upcoming public meeting regarding the corner of Oxton Avenue and Oriole Parkway. To learn more about this meeting click here.

Regards, Mark

Alarming Rise In Pedestrian Deaths, Toronto's Metro Newspaper Reports

A recent article headline in Toronto's Metro newspaper cites "Reckless drivers, kill 24 , up from 16 last year."

The article went on to say that "there had been a dramatic increase in Toronto's pedestrian fatalities this year...compared with 16 in the corrosponing period in 2004."

In the article Brian Patterson, the President of the Ontario Safety League suggested "a lack of respect for basic road laws" as the culprit describing it as now being an epidemic.

Mr. Patterson went on to say that the "same people who are putting pedestrians at risk, flying through stop signs are the same people who park in fire routes, are the same people who park in handicapped spaces...calling it "reckless behaviour."

I don't think there is anyone living in the vacinity of Oxton Avenue & Oriole Parkway would disagree that our corner has seen its fair share of really ignorant and reckless driving...so much so that is it any wonder we're now forced to run for lives when crossing Oxton at this intersection.

I hope the city read this article too.

"Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" Sign Installed

The city has now installed the "Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" sign on the street post (not sure what it is holding up, be it wires or lights or both) at the south-east corner of Oxton Avenue @ Oriole Parkway.

I know it's only a sign and we can't stop people ignoring it by continuing to hook, lets hope that enough people see the sign and are guided by it. It's a small step, but I think to the residents of 130 Oriole Parkway any help is a relief.

Regards, Mark

Oxton-Oriole Has Gone International...!

Hi Folks:

"Think globally...act locally" or is it "Act globally...think locally," I'm never sure, but one thing is for sure the Oxton Pedestrian Safety Petition has gone international!

Below is a list of some of the countries recent visitors to the site have come from:

• Australia
  
• Belgium
  
• Chile
  
• Costa Rico
  
• Estonia
  
• Egypt
  
• Greece
  
• Guatemala
  
• Hungary
  
• India
  
• Ireland
  
• Malaysia
  
• Mexico
  
• Netherlands
  
• Norway
  
• Portugal
  
• Singapore
  
• Spain
  
• Switzerland
  
• Turkey
  
• United Arab Emirates
  
• United Kingdom
  
• United States

I think we need to apply for a UN seat in New York, don't you? Should the city let us down here on "the ground," I now know that I'll be able to count on international pressure for help!

Seriously, though if you are from another country other then Canada "welcome" to the site. I'm not sure if finding us was just an accident, but if you did look around the site, I'd like to hear from you. Please email me and tell me about what happens in your neighbourhood when your village, city, state government does things that just seem to trample all over everybody.

In reality (no this wasn't a recent discovery - ha ha) our pedestrian safety issue is pretty "small potatoes" in the big scheme of things, but local action by neighbours to correct a bad move by government is a good thing (if you happen to live in place where this is possible).

Toronto really is a great city to live and work (even if I am doing battle with with our local government at the moment) so I hope one day you get an opportunity to visit our fair town!

Regards, Mark

SUV's Hazardous To Pedestrians...Researchers Warn!

Paul Taylor of the Globe & Mail (October 9, 2005) recently wrote a small piece on SUV's and pedestrian health...Here's a summary of his artical...

"Sport-utility vehicles are having a rough ride these days...and now, some doctors want SUV's labelled a threat to public health..."

Mr. Taylor quotes a British Medical Journal report that says...

"...People hit by SUV's...are more then twice as likely, to suffer serious injuries or be killed compared to people in collision with cars...because of [SUV's} high front ends..."

"...Pedestrian injuries from cars are mainly leg fractures and knee injuries [from the bumper] and head injuries from the secondary impact with the hood or windshield..."

"...The shape and extra height of an SUV's front end means the upper body takes the full force of the primary impact...as a result SUV's inflict far more serious injuries to the abdomen, torso and head...and worse the extra height of an SUV...limits the drivers ability to see around the vehicle.."

"...Consumers should be told of the risks when buying an SUV..."

Indeed, the Irish Medical Assocation recently called on manufacturers and dealers [to] display notices [inside] the vehicles...".

Well, it all sound s reasonable to me.

Regards, Mark

(You can view this article by searching Medline Plus "SUV" and see Motor Vehicle Safety

Another Fender-Bender At Oxton-Oriole

Today, I had the unfortunate pleasure of witnessing (from the Kilbarry bus stop) another one of Oxton-Oriole's famous fender-bender vehicle accidents.

A car travelling east along Oxton had obviously stopped at the invisible stop sign at Oriole (another reason who it needs to be re-installed), but the car behind didn't and so crashed into the back of the first car. Minor damage I suspect, but it just goes to show how bad Oxton-Oriole is even for cars!

As for the poor pedestrians, more people in the morning seem to have to run across this intersection then ever before. Let's hope nobody gets hurt while we wait for the stop sign to be re-installed next April 2006.

Regards, Mark

Even More On Council Approval Process!

In order to have our Oxton-Oriole stop sign re-installed Committees of Council approval is required. The Committees of Council discuss city issues before passing them on to the full Council for debate and final approval. During committee meetings, the opinions and concerns of citizens, business owners and other community groups are brought forward.

Our safety concerns will be presented to our local Community Council (one of three types of Committes of Council) called the Toronto & East York Council. Generally, Community Council responsibilities "include making recommendations to City Council on local planning and development matters, as well as neighbourhood matters including traffic plans, parking regulations and exemptions to certain City bylaws (i.e., sign, fence, ravine and tree bylaws)."

Hope this helps, Mark

What Happens To The Petition Document?

Now that I have met with Councillor Walker team for the second time, some of you may be wondering what will happen to the (original) petition document with all your signitures.

Basically, in the next few days I will be sending Councillor Walker a petition package that will include the original petition documents as well as copies of all your emails posted on the the web site.

Councillor Walker will then include the pedition documentation in his representation to city council in order to get approval for the stop sign proposal.

Regards, Mark

Why It Takes Time To Put Back Signs

City hall has to follow certain steps to re-install or place signs on city streets. Essential it follows a report-council discussion-vote format. For more information see city hall process email.

More on this as it's understood.

Regards, mark

How Do Things Get Done At City Hall?

Your guess is as good as mine! Soon I hope to be able to post an overview of the steps that are required in order for our stop sign and other safety features to be re-installed at the corner of Oxton and Oriole. Mark

Working With Our Councilman Vs Going To The Media

I have been asked form time to time since starting the Oxton-Oriole Safety Petition "why don't you just go to the media, "the city won't do anything until forced."

Hopefully, this isn't true. My preference is to work with the Councillor Walker and Transportation Services until such time as they prove unwilling or unable to do anything substantive towards enhancing pedestrian safety at Oxton-Oriole. I feel that once the the issue has been brought to their attention, it is only fair that they should be given a chance to resolve the situation.

Personally, I would like to promote the win-win success story of going to the city, having being listen too by the councilman and satisfactory change occurring as a result. We have made progress thus far by going to Councillor Walker so we should continue this approach.

However, please do not feel that just because I have been meeting and talking with the city that you cannot or should not write to Councillor Michael Walker (please cc orioleatoxton@hotmail.com) and make your Oxton-Oriole safety concerns known to him (see how you can help). Write to him today...!

Regards, Mark

Progress Made On Pedestrian Safety...!

The outcome of September 13th, meeting with Councillor Michael Walker and Transportation Services is as follows:

Transportation Services will undertake the following:

• Installation of a Stop Sign for Eastbound/Southbound traffic at Oxton-Oriole, including painted demarcation lines for pedestrians (this would result in removal of "Pedestrian Wait For The Gap Signs."
  
  
• Reduce the speed limit on from 50km/h to 40km/h on Avenue Road, south of Chaplin Crescent as well as Oxton Avenue.
  
  
• Installation of "Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" signs on Oxton Avenue asap.
  
  
• Completion of Transportation Services report on 14 new items and suggestions addressing the pedestrian safety concerns at Oxton-Oriole

Installation is on a 6-month trial period during which city will investigate sign effectiveness, traffic flow impacts and more importantly whether or not pedestrian safety has been improved.

In April Councillor Walker will want to hear from you (remember this is a trial)! Are the changes enough, not enough, or can more be done. More on this as the installation date draws nearer.

Thank you to Councillor Michael Walker, Constituency Assistant Pierre D'Aoust, and Steven Benjamin of Transportation services for listening and acting upon our concerns. I look forward to working with each of these gentleman in the continuing effort to improve pedestrian safety at the corner of Oxton-Oriole.

Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you (pat your self on the back here) as the improvements are a direct result of your participation in the Oxton-Oriole Safety Petition. Proof you (we) can make a difference.

Please Email me with your feedback on petition results.

Regards, Mark

Police Findings: Vehicle Speeds Not Excessive

Following my request for speed enforcement on Oxton Avenue, the Police have now reported their findings.

Based on observations over the course of the past month the Police did not find evidence of on-going, excessive speeding on Oxton Avenue as we had believed.

This was not an unexpected conclusion as I have recently discovered that the speed limit on Oxton avenue is actually 50kms. The 20km and 30km yellow speed signs are in fact recommended speeds limits only.

The Police officers assigned to this request also offered a possible explanation to account for our belief that vehicles are routinely speeding on Oxton by suggesting that Oxton Avenue's slightly angled approach (as opposed to a right angle) to Oriole Parkway appears to create a false perception as to a vehicle's true speed.

The Police did agree that mixing 20,000 cars a day and pedestrians outside of established crossing points (our situation) is a bad mix; never mind the extra pollution that comes with a volume of this magnitude [in our residential neighbourhood].

While the results may not be what we had expected, I'd like to thank the Police for their time, effort and support on behalf of the residents of Oxton-Oriole.

Regards, Mark Rees

Traffic Studies Completed - Results Not Good!

The two (merged) traffic studies have now been completed and unfortunately the results are very car and property owner sensitive (or maintain Oxton Avenue as a free-flowing artery without pedestrians and thereby prevent near-by property owners from complaining again about non local cars on their streets). Also, notable is a lack of any alternate solutions in the report to address the issue of pedestrian safety on Oxton Avenue.

Summarized report...

(Excerts taken from the letter sent to Councillor Michael Walker from Transportation Services (Stephen Benjamin) in response to Mr. Walker following his Oxton Pedestrian Safety meeting with Mark Rees" June 17th, 2005 . Report conclusions highlighted in red) .

Re: Oriole Parkway and Oxton Avenue - Various Traffic Options

...In response to a June 27, 2005 email from Pierre D'Aoust of your office, summarizing seven issues arising from a June 17, 2005 meeting with Mark Rees, as well as subsequent e-mails from Mark Rees, we have reviewed the various traffic option at the above noted intersection...

Existing Conditions,

• Oxton Avenue is an major east-west arterial roadway...
  
• 20,000 vehicles per day and a speed limit of 50km...
  
• Free-flow traffic movement both ways...

(Oxton Avenue has been turned into the Oxton" Freeway")

History

• Reconstructed late 2002...
  
• Residence's areas to west of Avenue Road...high levels of non local traffic...
  
• dedicated turn lane created...
  
• Yields sign installed...removed...Because vehicles were stopping anyway...new signs installed to re-enforce no need to stop...

(If 99% of all our traffic is non local...according to this rational why do we still have non local traffic on Oxton? No stop/yield signs is 100% pedestrian unfriendly and just plain "lethal .")

"The following discussion will address each of Mr. Rees' concerns."

1. Replace Eastbound "Yield" Sign With a "Stop" Sign

• Installation of "Stop" sign would return intersection to pre-November 2002 conditions...
  
• However, removal of "Yield" sign has increased percentage of non stopping, eastbound motorists...,
  
• City Respone: Proposal is not advisable...

(Non stopping motorists are going to seriously injure a pedestrian!)

2. Removal of "Pedestrian Wait For The Gap" signs

• Only legal way to give pedestrians right-of-way is "Stop" sign...or traffic control signals...
  
• No pedestrians right-of-way at channelized turns (Oxton-Oriole)...
  
• Radar studies show cars travelling show 85% cars going 25kms
  
• Low pedestrian volumes...
  
• City Respone: Proposal is not advisable...

(Of course there are no pedestrians...the city has all but forced pedestrians to take the long way to the subway!)

3. Install rumble Strips In Northbound Left Turn Lane..."

• Bad idea on my part (Mark Rees)...
  
• City Response: No action required...

(Agreed)

4. Install Pedestrian Warning Signs For Northbound Motorists

• Not required by Ontario Traffic Manual (Book 6 Warning Signs)...
  
• City Response: No action required...

(Recently, I have noticed a "Yield to Pedestrian" sign at Lawrence & Allen Road and a flashing "Yield To Pedestrians" sign at York and Front...Why are these signs installed if they are not required by the manual? I think we all know why!)

5. Install Warning Signs To Highlight Need For Caution

• No signage in Ontario Traffic Manual that would provide additional guidance [in this situation]...
  
• Left-turning motorist's must yield to southbound traffic...
  
• City Response: Additional signage...not required...

(Again, focus solely on cars...pedestrians need not apply!)

6. Paint Warning Signs in northbound Left-Turn Lane

• Presently, there are left-turn arrows to guide northbound motorists in this lane, with solid lines separating it from adjacent lanes...
  
• City Response: Signage in accordance with Ontario Traffic Manual (Book 11, pavement, hazard and Delineation markings)...no further action required.

(Again, focus solely on cars...pedestrians and pedestrain safety need not apply!)

7. Install Traffic Control Signals

• Traffic lights warranted...
  
• Not a pedestrian issue, but a traffic issue...
  
• If lights installed traffic will go back into near-by residencial streets...
  
• City Response: Proposal is not advisable...

(Near-by homes owners don't like the cars on their streets...so installing traffic lights at Oxton & Oriole is a no, no!)

8. Signage Issues (Speed Signs)

• Signs clearly visible...installed according to Ontario Traffic manual
  
• We could arrange for oversized speed tab signs...

(Anything would be a help at this point...)

COMMENT: Powerful, near-by homeowner ratepayer associations have been the primary driver for the recent road configuration changes make on Oxton, Oriole and Chaplan. Since most of us rent and therefore do not belong similar organizations, it is easy for the city to overlook us whether by design or by accident.

That is why your emails and comments are so very important and very necessary to show the city that "we" count too! If you haven't had the opportunity, please take a few minutes to add your comments to this web site.

(For more information see comment below)

White Lines Repainted At Kilbarry & Oriole Parkway

Tuesday morning area residents woke to newly painted pedestrian crossing lines at the corner of Kilbarry and Oriole Parkway.

Not sure why this corner was repainted (not that they shouldn't have) when Oxton and Oriole Parkway is high on everyone's minds...

If the city keeps making area improvements they may just get to the Oxton and Oriole Parkway intersection yet...

Still, the city must be commended for any action that enhances pedestrian safety as clear crossing line can only be good for pedestrians...

Regards, mark

City Trims Trees Obscuring Oxton Speed Signs

In response to photos' taken showing the Oxton recommended speed limit signs (going west) the city has trimmed the branches that had been obscuring the signs.

I think all of us will agree the city has to put in a lot more effort then tree trimming to make Oxton Avenue safety and deal with the honking problem that is driving people "nuts" up and down Oxton and in particular the residents of 130 Oriole Parkway...

Regards, Mark

More on Additional Speed Limit Signs On Oxton

Hi Pierre:


Thank you for forwarding Dan's note. Your note is timely because I was
just about to check the official meaning of yellow speed signs verse
black/white speed signs.


A couple of points and questions...


1. If the Oxton speed limit is 50kms this then supports the neighbourhood view that vehicle speeds on Oxton are higher. This contention is based on human nature and supported by the Police that if it's a 50kms driver limit, drivers will go 60kms and perhaps beyond as we also contend.


2. At these speeds it seems obvious to me that without logical, pedestrian crossing points pedestrians are forced to cross Oxton without the benefit of even the most rudimentary crossing protection as they head on the "natural" path to the subway (the crosswalk being poorly located).


3. The request was to add additional speed signage so as to provide more guidance to drivers as to the speed limit. Is it correct to assume that Transportation Services really are unwilling even to agree to this one particular minimal neighbourhood request?


4. 20kms signs. I'm sorry Pierre, but the reality is that Transportation Services might as well take them down and put "GO FOR IT" up on the pole. This would make as much sense as continuing to post "Pedestrians Wait For Gap" signs as both are totally ineffectual (I know they have to put up such speed signs).


5. Are drivers really going to slow down from 50km-60km and go 20km-30kms. The resident of 130 Oriole wouldn't get any sleep with all the honking. This is a speed sign that is blatantly ignored to the detriment of pedestrians! This goes back to point 1 & 2. Pedestrians need protection from cars travelling in excesses of the speed limit.


6. I have no doubt that the 2okm and 30km speed limit signs are within specifications. I now even understand the reason for their location. Again I refer back to the above points.


7. Is a highway (11A) really a good idea through a residential neighbourhood? Traffic has increased such that we content this needs to be questioned. Few things are carved in stone, why should this decision be so? Is Dan inferring here that we need to take the issue to the province as well?


8. Is the goal to keep cars on Highway 11A safe from pedestrians? One wonders (I'll have to read the City's own Pedestrian Charter again)?

We haven't seen Transportation Services report so I don't wish to pre-judge their final conclusions, but, I look forward to raising these and other issues up with Mr. Walker, Transportation Services and yourself when I present the final petition results.

Thank you again for keeping me in the loop. Until our meeting I will in the interim continue to work on advancing the issue of pedestrian safety on Oxton at behest of my petition signitors.

Regards, mark

Transportation Services Vetoes Addition Speed Signs On Oxton

Unfortunately, Transportation Services has vetoed the request originating from Councilor Walker's office via Pierre D'Aoust (and at my urging - Mark) to install additional speed limit signs on Oxton Avenue to act as guidance for drivers.

Dan Clement , Transportation Technologist replies...

"The speed limit on Oxton Avenue...is 50 km/h [as] per the Highway Traffic Act [therefore] ...does not require the installation of speed limit signage..."

Mr. Clement goes on to talk about the advisory only speed limit signs of 20 & 30km also found on Oxton Avenue.

My reply to Mr. Clement's note can be found here...

Coucilman's Assistant Requests Additional Oxton Speed Limit Signs

One small step towards Pedestrian safety!

Few problems are one demensional. The problem with Oxton-Oriole is both pedestrian safety and poor vehicle road signage, particularly speed limit signs.

Recently, I emailed Pierre D'Aoust, Councilman's Walker's Constituency Assistant, requesting additional speed limit signs for Oxton Avenue.

In my email to Mr D'Aoust I (Mark Rees) wrote...

"...a report should not needed to get addition speed limits posted on Oxton. I find it strange that between Chaplan and Oxton on Oriole Parkway there are two 40km speed limit signs posted (northbound) over this very short distance; yet only one small speed sign on Oxton three times maybe the distance between Chaplan and Oxton, and at the mid point. Small in size too! What can Mr. Walker do to advance this request over the next month"

Today, Mr. D'Aoust wrote in response to my note...

"I have requested to have additional signage installed, specifically for speed limits. I will let you know as soon as I hear from staff when these signs will be installed."

Why push for more, better, speed limited signs? Because the presence of clear, visible speed limit signs is very important in the proscution of speeding violations.

This is one of many improvements I hope the City will make on Oxton to make the avenue (or Highway 11A) safe for pedestrian "traffic."

Each step taken is one more step towards final recognition that there is a serious problem on Oxton-Oriole.

Regards, Mark

Policeman Seen on Oxton Avenue

Fantastic News!

Two days ago a Police Officer was seen standing at the corner of Oxton Avenue and Oriole Parkway observing traffic.

Let's hope this is the first step in our efforts to demonstrate to the City that vehicle speeds on Oxton Aveneue are "out of control"

More later on police activities on Oxton Avenue as it becomes known.

Email me if you see a Policeman on Oxton avenue.

Regards, Mark

July 12th Meeting With Toronto Police Services

On July 12th I meet with the Communinity Response of team, Toronto Police Services regarding excessive speeding by drivers going both east and west on Oxton Avenue.

During the meeting I presented the Pedestrian Safety Petition, the power point presentation I used in my first meeting with Councilor Michael Walker June 17th and Oxton Avenue photography's highlighting what I believe to be are problem areas.

The Community Response office appeared very impressed with the results Pedestrian Safety Petition and the messages behind the photographs.

He was very supportive of our efforts to make Oxton Avenue save for Petestrians and offered support in three area. They were as follows:

• 6 speed enforcement days on Oxton Aveneue (up from 0)
  
• One month's statical information resulting from the 6 enforcement days
  
• A letter to Councilman Walker requesting action should the enforcement days yield disturbing statistics.
  

The period of speed enforcement would be from July 12th to August 12th, 2005.

I have to say the Community response Staff Sergeant I met with was great. Hats off to the Police for his support!

Regards, mark

June 18th Petition Presentation Meeting Cancelled

Today I received an email from Councilman Michael Walker's Consituency Assistant Pierre D'Aoust cancelling our June 18th petition presentation meeting.

Pierre D'Aoust writes...

"I cannot get city staff to come to our meeting...

...the reports they [Transportation Services] are preparing will not be done by then.

...I'd like to cancel our meeting for the June 18th, wait for the reports to be done, and then schedule a new time when everyone can make it.

I know you are anxious to present the petition, but we will not be able to act until the reports are in...

As soon as I have these reports, I will contact you for a meeting with staff.

Sincerely, Pierre A'Doust"

(Note: In an email a few days later Pierre informed me that the reports will take about a month to complete and that the presentation meeting would occur on a day there after in which Transportation Services staff could attend. I also would like Transportation staff to attend the petition presentation meeting so agreed with to request.)

Toronto Hates Pedestrians

Chris Hume of the Toronto Star doesn't like our traffic (These streets aren't made for walking - July 11/05). He writes:

....Now that running red lights is common practice in Toronto..... Crossing the street can be equally dangerous now whether the light is red or green.

....in their rush to get through the intersection, drivers are more likely to speed up when the light turns red than when it's green.

And by the time the traffic has actually come to a full stop, there's very little time left to cross.... The old and infirm don't stand a chance.

....Toronto City Council proudly proclaimed a Pedestrian Charter several years ago but... pedestrians only slow things down. They're in the way.

..... In a clear effort to drive them from the streets, the city seems to have embarked on a deceptively clever program of pedestrian obstacles.

.....The pedestrian lights are the main weapon..... the city is erecting short steel columns at selected intersections throughout Toronto. Ostensibly, they contain traffic control buttons, which, strangely, never appear to work.....

We like to think of ourselves as being somewhere in between Europe and the U.S. That may be true.... we combine the worst of both.

Note: The Toronto Star requires a free registration to view the original article.

Pedestrian Safety Petition "Gets Rolling"

Following my first meeting with Councilor Michael Walker I began collecting signitures for the Pedestrian Safety Petition which ran for two weeks.

The petition included residential buildings located at 100 (property owners), 110, 120 and 130 Oriole Parkway; 755 Avenue Road (Avenue/Oxton).

The results were fantastic (even the local postman signed)!

If you missed signing the Pedestrian Safety Petition there is still time to add your along side your many fellow residents. Just side me an email asking me to drop by and collect your signiture.

More on how to sign up later...

Regards, Mark Rees

Michael Walker Requests Traffic Reports

As a result of my first meeting with Councillor Michael Walker and his Constituency Assistant Pierre D'Aoust", Pierre submitted a request to Transportation Services asking them to complete two area traffic studies.

Specifically, to look at the following:

SHORT TERM: Oxton, Right Onto Oriole Parkway

1. Replace Oxton (@ Oriole) "Yield" sign with a "Stop" sign and stop bars since a high proportion of vehicles feel compelled to stop first before continuing
   
   
2. Remove "Pedestrian Wait For The Gap" signs as I believe they encourage a lack of pedestrian awareness and speeding Oriole Parkway, Left Onto Oxton
   
   
3. Install rubble strips in left turn lane to slow speeds outside of rush hour
   
   
4. Install pedestrian waning signs on approach to turn (probably on the Kilbury & Oriole island)
   
   
5. Install yellow warning signs to highlight the need for caution through left turn
   
   
6. Paint warning signage in left hand turn lane

LONG TERM: Oxton Avenue @ Oriole Parkway

1. Installation of traffic lights with vehicle advanced turn signals. Of course, the above recommendations do not preclude the advancement of additional solutions that maximize pedestrian safety.

"Councillor Walker would like Transportation staff to report on the short term options (#1-6) and report back. He would also like to have staff report on the long term option (#7) in a separate report, independent of the first one."

This action completed an important first step in the engagement of the City in resolving the Pedestrian Safety isues of Oxton-Oriole.

Regards, mark

First Meeting With Councilor Michael Walker

Today was my first introduction and meeting with our Councilman Michael Walker and his Constituency Assistant Pierre D'Aoust.

During the meeting I presented to Mr. Walker a power point presentation entitled "What Gap - Pedestrian Safety at Risk" which outlined the very real risks pedestrian faced every day when trying to cross Oxton Avenue.

As the meeting progressed I learned that the recent configurations at both ends of Oxton were deliberatly designed to keep traffic moving. The stop sign at Oxton and Oriole was removed and replaced with a yield sign (which was eventually removed too) to aid in the free flow of traffic.

I was told that pedestrians were readily accommodated by the addition of a cross walk half way down Oxton (which I pointed out was not even remotely on the path for most people headed to the Subway).

At the conclusion of the meeting Michael Walker agreed to request two studies from Transportation Services, the first to look at the solutions I had proposed and the second to look at the installation of traffic lights at Oxton and Oriole.

Michael Walker and I both agreed that a neighbourhood petition would help add weight to my concerns. Hence the Oxton safety Petition was born.

Regards, Mark Rees