There must be something in the air this summer. Minds are melding. The synergistic topic of interest is none other than the “first mile/last mile” challenge of making it easier for people to walk and bike to and from transit, rather than generating more car trips.
In the spring-summer 2019 issue of Spacing, Dylan Reid wrote an article titled “Transit Doesn’t End at the Bus Stop” which critiques the lacklustre approach taken so far by TTC and Metrolinx to addressing the safety of the walk to transit, and applauds LA’s community walk audits described in their recent First/Last Mile Strategic Plan. Last month, Pembina released a new report that explores the feasibility of implementing delivery hubs and using cargo bikes to reduce the impact of the “last mile” urban freight movement. And also last month, TCAT released Improving Active Transportation and Public Transit Integration – A Guidebook for Policy and Planning, a new report that highlights international best practice and provides community audit tools for walking and cycling to transit. Last week, TCAT’s guide was picked up by Streetsblog California who said it “should be a beginning textbook for street designers and planners” and shows “that not only is it crucial to design streets for all users, but it is possible, and is already being done.”
Coming up, there are a few ways to interact with these new publications, and to join in on the mind meld. Pembina is hosting two separate events on their report, and author Alex Gatien and TCAT Director Nancy Smith Lea will speak about TCAT’s report at Young Professionals in Transportation Transit Oriented Drinks (on a patio), on Wednesday July 31 @ 6:30 p.m., Kramer’s (Davisville Station).