The Centre for Active Transportation - TCAT

04/08/2025

The sense of economic uncertainty driven by the turbulence and scale of Trump’s tariffs and trade war threats towards Canada and beyond is palpable and is shaking financial markets globally. The dizzying pace — and unpredictable swings in tone and content — of Trump’s economic and sovereignty threats can make it challenging for advocates and policymakers in Canada trying to mitigate the fallout to know what issues and strategies to prioritize even minute-to-minute.

Our advice? Focusing on growing cycling, including through active transportation infrastructure and micromobility economic development, can provide Canadians a lifeline, always but especially in the face of economic uncertainty. In Clean Air Partnership's latest news piece, TCAT Project Manager Sophie Callahan and Rob McMonagle explain why.

Check out their blog piece here:
https://loom.ly/B0iBC68

Three reasons to focus on cycling when threatened with trade wars (and always)  April 7, 2025 by Sophie Callahan Canadians and Americans find ourselves in the midst of a trade war: Donald Trump’s second U.S. presidential term has been jam-packed with new tariffs being threatened, imposed, delayed...

03/06/2025

🌈🚲✨How does 2SLGBTQ+ identity shape people’s experiences with active transportation modes, especially cycling? TCAT's latest briefing note explores this question - check it out here: https://loom.ly/Inxpkbk

Q***r folks — particularly visibly gender q***r, non-conforming, or gender minorities, and those with intersecting marginalised identities — face greater safety and comfort risks in public spaces compared to their cis and straight counterparts.

Previous research on the intersection between public transit use and two-spirit, le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, and q***r (2SLGBTQ+) identities has demonstrated that 2SLGBTQ+ individuals encounter frequent harassment, discrimination, and violence while navigating all stages of their public transit journeys.

But do these trends translate to active forms of travel?

Our latest briefing note synthesizes a literature scan we conducted to understand the current research landscape, future areas of study, and important takeaways for advocates working in the active transportation space.

***rMobilities

02/19/2025

🔧 Eager to turn your passion for cycling into a career (or know somebody who is) and based in the GTA? We've got good news for you!

There are still a few spots open in one of the free, 8 week (24 hours total) bike mechanic training courses hosted through our fellow Bike Training Collective Canada partner CultureLink. The training is from March 5 to April 23, 2025 on Wednesdays from 3pm-6pm, on Tobermory Drive in North York, Ontario. These courses equip participants with all of the essential mechanical and professional skills needed to step right into a variety of roles in the bike industry.

Apply now and/or share this post to help us spread the word!
🌐 www.bikecareer.ca

02/05/2025

📣 We're seeking participants for the next phase of our study on opportunities to improve access and equity in Toronto’s multiuse trails and ravines! Help us spread the word!

To learn more and to apply, check out our expression of interest forms:

🖥️Online focus groups, seeking Toronto residents who are either:
- newcomers to Canada who have moved since 2019 and/or
- women (trans-inclusive):
https://forms.gle/2xPerZsmfRhn7Hcm7

🌳Community walk audits, seeking either:
- newcomers to Canada who have moved since 2019 who live in the vicinity of the Kay Gardiner Beltline trail/Mount Pleasant Cemetery, or
- women (trans inclusive) who live near the portion of the Humber River trail system, just west of Islington & Finch
https://forms.gle/v5qbsphDhEYzkguA9

📆 Deadline to apply: Thursday, 28 February 2025
💲$40 CAD honorariums available

01/23/2025

Fact - Cycling in Canadian winters is not only possible, but can be a fun and convenient way to support your mental health:
🧠At some point in their life, about 15% of Canadians will report at least mild symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), a form of depression that develops seasonally and is worst in winter months.*
🚲The good news - physical activity and spending time outside in natural light (like winter cycling) can help prevent and treat S.A.D. symptoms.*
❄️With the right preparation and proper infrastructure like well maintained, separated bike lanes, winter cycling can be safe and comfortable.

Check out this great guide from for tips on how to make your cold weather bike rides more enjoyable:
https://loom.ly/UDYEdVE

*Source: Canadian Psychological Association (2018). “'Psychology Works' Fact Sheet: Seasonal Affective Disorder"

01/14/2025

How can advocates and experts best work with local governments to make transportation systems more equitable? The latest brief offers unparalleled insights on this question, drawing on surveys and interviews with local politicians across Canada about their values, experiences, and perspectives on transportation equity.

You can access this brief and other key findings from the latest transportation equity research in Canada at: https://loom.ly/T2uA-xM

Overview of our Key Findings for Practitioners and Decision Makers Elected Officials Survey The Mobilizing Justice Equitable Community Planning and Engagement Working Group conducted surveys and interviews with councillors and mayors to better understand (1) their knowledge and experiences with tran...

12/23/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, TCAT would like to extend a very heartfelt thanks to all our funders, partners, collaborators and supporters. We wish you and your loved ones moments of peace during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Here’s hoping all of you have a splendid new year!

We look forward to 2025 with much optimism and are excited to continue our work to advance active transportation in our communities to make them more sustainable, equitable and resilient.

11/21/2024

Why are municipalities opposed to Ontario's anti-bike lane Bill 212?

Here are six key reasons, from the consensus-based input of the 40 Ontario municipalities in the Clean Air Council:

🤝The unparalleled level of Ministry oversight over community roads undermines essential democratic principles.

💰 Bike lanes help to make transportation less expensive for Ontarians.

🛣️ Bike lanes aren't what cause road congestion; in fact, they need to be part of the solution.

🚫 Increased red tape will be a huge local financial burden and create more delays in delivering road work unnecessarily.

🏪 Bike lanes make business sense.

🚸Bike lanes save lives.

Read the Clean Air Council's full submission on Bill 212 here: https://loom.ly/IXF0N4c

This submission to the Ontario government summarizes the consensus-based input from the Clean Air Council (CAC) municipal network regarding Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane (ERO 019-9266). The CAC includes 40 mu...

11/15/2024

Passionate about bikes? Eager for a rewarding career that has a positive impact on your community and the planet? Live in the Greater Toronto Area?

If this sounds like you or someone you know, check out our featured FAST TRACK 4-week bike mechanic certification program offered through Bike Training Collective Canada's training partner, the Learning Enrichment Foundation! Starts January 20, 2025.

Learn more and apply today at: bikecareer.ca

11/06/2024

Are you a bike retailer, manufacturer, educator, or otherwise in the GTHA bike industry? Stop by the Firkin on Yonge pub Tuesday, 10 December at 5:30 p.m. for a chance to network and connect with mechanic training organizations building a pipeline of talent for the micromobility sector ahead of the 2025 hiring season! TCAT is excited to be co-hosting as part of the Bike Training Collective Canada team.

RSVP early to be eligible to claim one free drink ticket: https://loom.ly/9_g0OT4

Learn more about the Bike Training Collective Canada at: bikecareer.ca

11/04/2024

ICYMI: Normally, we use our monthly newsletter to share the latest updates and highlight research on all things active transportation. But in October, the Ontario government proposed legislation, Bill 212, that requires municipalities to get permission from the province before building any new bike lanes. So last month, we decided to take a break from our usual content to summarize the health, safety, economic, and – yes – congestion-reducing benefits of bike lanes: https://loom.ly/YsXN4NA

10/21/2024

Will you be in Toronto this Wednesday? Eager to take action in support of Ontario's bike lanes and not sure where to start? Grab a bike, head over to the South Lawn of Queen's Park, and go for a ride to help. More info at: https://loom.ly/5mKLCT0