Cycling Safely: The Role of Bikes in Urban Recovery with Dave Shellnutt
Toronto has long been a city of cyclists, but since the COVID crisis began, biking has surged in both popularity and relevance. People looking for alternatives to public transit during the pandemic are taking up biking as a way to navigate the city. And with the acceleration of cycling-friendly initiatives and infrastructure this past summer, many who were once hesitant about biking in the city, now feel safe enough to do so—though much work remains to be done to reach a “vision zero” benchmark of road safety.
In addition to moving people around, cycling has also come to play a larger role within community support networks that have been established to address poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, and systemic injustices—interrelated crises that have been made much worse by the pandemic. Through the formation of groups like the Bike Brigade, cycling has emerged as an essential tool for supporting our city’s most vulnerable by facilitating the safe delivery of food & supplies and providing other essential services.
For this Stewards piece, we connected with Dave Shellnutt (he/him), lawyer and Founder/Volunteer Rider of the Bike Brigade, to learn more about the role of cycling in building safe and resilient communities.
About the Bike Brigade
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Bike Brigade has enlisted 600 volunteer cyclists to bike in support of community organizations that serve isolated and vulnerable people. The Bike Brigade works with equity-seeking groups and a network of support partners across Toronto to fight food insecurity and dismantle systemic barriers, providing free delivery of food and supplies as well as bike marshalling services during protests and demonstrations. It is the Bike Brigade’s goal to safely serve local communities during the current crisis and beyond.
Thoughts on Safety & Cycling
Cycling is one of Toronto’s fastest growing modes of transportation. According to 2016 census data, 2.7% of Torontonians biked to work, up from 1.7% in 2006. While this city-wide figure seems small (and only represents a segment of all cycling activity), drilling down to the neighbourhood-level, we see that bike-to-work rates reach as high as 34% in some communities. Perhaps not surprisingly, these higher cycling rates are associated with the presence of well-designed biking infrastructure such as separated bike lanes and systems of multi-use trails that prevent cycling injuries and deaths. A key determinant for folks hopping on their bike is having a safe space to ride it.
Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen further indications that cycling rates are growing at an accelerated pace—from increased bike counts on streets and trails to bike shops struggling to keep up with demand. This surge has been further enabled by an accelerated rollout of Toronto’s bike network strategy and the implementation of temporary street closures and bikeways. For many, cycling serves as a vital alternative in the context of the pandemic—an affordable, active, and COVID-safe means of transportation.
“The pandemic has glaringly demonstrated our collective need for more accessible public space. We are witnessing a boom in cycling in Toronto. Investing in segregated bike infrastructure is critical in supporting safe and affordable transportation options, active lifestyles and community resilience.”
Cycling is also playing a vital role in supporting Toronto’s most vulnerable communities. Formed in response to the pandemic, the Bike Brigade consists of 600 volunteers whose efforts help link together a city-wide network of organizations with the communities they serve. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, The People's Pantry was one of the first community groups the Bike Brigade collaborated with to deliver hot meals. Since June, the Bike Brigade has also been working with FoodShare Toronto to deliver over 3,000 Emergency Good Food Boxes across Toronto in support of individuals and families faced with food insecurity.
Beyond meal programs, Bike Brigade has supported many other community initiatives including the delivery of art supplies to participants of Maggie’s virtual art programs; a partnership with Twelve to distribute menstrual health products (including drops to Community Fridges); and bike marshalling for demonstrations organized by Not Another Black Life and the Encampment Support Network.
“Cyclists of the Bike Brigade have used their bikes all summer and fall to provide safe spaces for communities to protest and encourage alternatives to policing. We have successfully and safely ensured communities across Toronto can exercise their constitutional right to protest systemic racism and other pressing failures of our systems and governments.”
As Toronto and other cities look toward post-COVID recovery, the success of models like the Bike Brigade demonstrate that cycling will have an increasingly important role to play. Properly embracing this form of active transportation through cycling-friendly initiatives and good street design will not only make streets safer for road users, but also open new pathways and connections for the networks of support that continue to fight for an equitable and resilient future.
