17 Sep 8 80 Cities Continues on Their Mission to Accelerate Action on Pedestrian Fatalities with a New Safe-street Makeover on Pineway Blvd.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [September 17, 2019]
Media Contact: Amanda O’Rourke
Executive Director – 8 80 Cities
Tel: 416-591-7404 ext. 5
Cell: 647.784.3048
[Toronto, Ontario]: Not for profit 8 80 Cities is pleased to announce the launch of 8 80 Streets Pineway, a new pop-up installation that will transform a section of Pineway Boulevard in North York. The project will create a prototype of a safe residential street that exemplifies the City’s vision to get fatalities down to zero (Vision Zero). The Pineway street makeover will take place from September 29 to October 4th, 2019 between Weatherstone Crescent and Bernick Rd.
8 80 Streets Pineway is part of a larger initiative by the organization to raise awareness on the importance of human-centered road design as the most effective solution to reducing pedestrian fatalities. Starting on Sunday September 29th 8 80 Cities staff and volunteers will install simple traffic calming interventions using temporary materials such as planters, tape, and paint. The pop up will last 5 days.
“We are excited to work with the North York community to temporarily transform Pineway Blvd into street that prioritizes people’s safety over the fast movement of cars. We want to highlight the simple design interventions that can reduce illegal speeding, improve safety, and create a more comfortable experience for people walking in the area.” (Amanda, O’Rourke, Executive Director of 8 80 Cities).”
8 80 Cities has chosen this area of North York to highlight that road safety is an issue that extends beyond the downtown and affects all of our city. The installation comes at a critical time for Toronto streets, having 23 fatal pedestrian collisions this year alone.
The area was first brought to our attention by a local senior who walks there daily and found it unsafe. We are excited to test community ideas and infrastructure that protects people of all ages.” – Shelley Carroll, City Councillor Ward 17
“Our vibrant school is situated in a lovely, quiet neighbourhood. Unfortunately, cars are often found speeding right outside our doors. Safety is our number one priority at Pineway PS and our street makeover project is one way we are trying to ensure that all of our stakeholders remain safe.” – Gary McGilvray, Principal (Pineway Public School)
Media Window:
When: Sunday Sept 29th 11:00 am -12:30pm
Where: Pineway Public School – Parking lot (110 Pineway Blvd, North York, ON M2H 1A8)
Who:
Amanda O’Rourke, Executive Director of 8 80 Cities – Available for comments and interview.
Councillor Shelley Carroll Ward 17 – Available for comments and interview.
Community members will be gathering on the street, installing traffic calming measures on the road and painting planter boxes.
