Sloping Sidewalks Pester Pedestrians

Car-oriented sloping sidewalks are upsetting pedestrians in Toronto, and they have called on politicians to look for a way to give the city's sidewalks back to walkers.

1 minute read

August 11, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Sidewalk design has changed over the years. The city used to have a uniform curb and built a steep ramp at each driveway so vehicles could mount it. Now, the curb dips almost flush with the gutter at each driveway, and the sidewalk is sloped for its full width, or most of it."

"'This is just another sign of what a car-oriented society we have become – when sidewalks have become on-ramps,' says Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul's)."

"Mihevc argues the priorities are misplaced when a driveway ramp may be used only four times a day by a car, and the sidewalk by hundreds of pedestrians."

"Richard Nelson, of Toronto's pedestrian committee, agrees. The management consultant thinks the city has 'tolerable' standards for sidewalk design but, 'it seems that new construction often, if not always, violates that standard.'"

FULL STORY: Sloped sidewalks lack curb appeal

Thursday, August 9, 2007 in The Toronto Star

Infrastructure Transportation Ontario

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