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Here is a longer thread on why @RothmanLinda and I have been pushing for motor vehicle lane (moving or parking) closures during COVID-19 to facilitate #physicaldistancing for people who rely on sidewalks and bicycles for their essential transportation. #bikeTO #WalkTO 1/15
Councillor @m_layton last night let us know that city councillors were following city staff guidance-- it would appear official statement is closures are "not warranted". We are concerned key considerations have been overlooked in this determination of what is "warranted" 2/15
Along with this tweet thread 
, we are drafting a letter to more clearly explain our concerns to @JohnTory @cityoftoronto @epdevilla and @TOPublicHealth and city councillors 3/15
, we are drafting a letter to more clearly explain our concerns to @JohnTory @cityoftoronto @epdevilla and @TOPublicHealth and city councillors 3/15
We consider our expertise relevant to this question, albeit this is an unprecedented situation. We are both epidemiologists, and each of us have appointments at both @RUSOPHe and @UofT_dlsph. We also both study road injury. 4/15
First off, let's be clear that @cityoftoronto @TOPublicHealth @PublicHealthON guidelines all discourage leaving the home other than for essential purposes. This is important public health messaging. We must all follow. 5/15
It's also important that when we must leave home for essential purposes, we must stay 2m away from other people as part of #physicaldistancing. 6/15
So what to do about crowded @cityoftoronto sidewalks. #stayhome 
very important. But what about essential travel? A small percentage of Toronto residents engaging in essential travel is still thousands of people. How do we keep them physically distant? Not all have cars. 7/15
very important. But what about essential travel? A small percentage of Toronto residents engaging in essential travel is still thousands of people. How do we keep them physically distant? Not all have cars. 7/15
The @cityoftoronto COV-19 website does not make special mention of walking and biking for transportation. Are these perhaps viewed as primarily recreational? https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/ 8/15
Pedestrians need space to pass each other while maintaining 2m. This photo from @ottawacity posted by @MattPinder1 illustrates this. We need to keep walkers 2m apart...how? Walking into live traffic lane very dangerous 9/15
Biking for transportation also used during essential travel. In other cities, we've seen an uptick in bicycling as people seek to avoid public transit. 10/15 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-bike-commute.html
This is happening around the world, as essential workers turn to the bicycle to get them to their essential jobs. 11/15 https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/03/coronavirus-bike-lane-emergency-transportation-covid-19/608725/
@CycleToronto prepared this great guide to cycling during the pandemic. 12/15 https://www.cycleto.ca/news/cycling-time-covid-19
Priorities:
1) Prevent injury in road users. We urgently need to protect vulnerable road users from crashes using physical separation to preserve hospital capacity. #flattenallcurves
2) Ensure every person leaving the house for essential purposes can stay 2m apart. 13/15
1) Prevent injury in road users. We urgently need to protect vulnerable road users from crashes using physical separation to preserve hospital capacity. #flattenallcurves
2) Ensure every person leaving the house for essential purposes can stay 2m apart. 13/15
Dedicating more space is warranted to address these two needs. Canadian cities including London, Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver have recognized special risks and taken steps. Even more cities around the world. 14/15
Road safety and physical distancing need space. It is warranted. Thank you for reading! 15/15
