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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

November 20, 2024

City of Toronto staff report aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety by adding side guards to City-owned heavy-duty vehicles

City of Toronto staff are recommending actions to improve pedestrian safety by adding side guards to City-owned heavy-duty vehicles. A staff report to the Infrastructure and Environment committee on November 27 recommends retrofitting the City’s heavy-duty vehicles by 2026.

Side guards are protective railings or bars mounted on the sides of large trucks between the axles to help prevent individuals from being pulled under the wheels of a truck during a collision. Research indicates that side guards could reduce cyclist fatalities by approximately 62 per cent, pedestrian fatalities by 20 per cent and serious injuries for cyclists by six per cent.

While there are no federal or provincial requirements for vehicles to be fitted with side guards, the City is taking bold leadership to implement side guards on City vehicles.

Implementation of side guards on City vehicles

As part of the City’s Vision Zero program (www.toronto.ca/visionzero) and Toronto City Council direction to report on feasibility, staff recommend retrofitting suitable commercial City fleet vehicles with side guards.

The City has already taken proactive action to implement side guards, including adding them to all new vehicles purchased. Over 30 City vehicles are already equipped with side guards and staff will continue to identify and prioritize remaining vehicles suitable for retrofitting using a risk-based approach.

It is estimated that 219 of 500 heavy-duty vehicles will be retrofitted between December 2024 and December 2025, with all suitable vehicles retrofitted by December 2026.

This report also recommends City staff share best practices learned from retrofitting side guards on City owned commercial vehicles with City Agencies and Corporations to encourage the implementation of additional safety measures on heavy-duty vehicles.

The report, Feasibility of Requiring Side Guards on all Commercial Trucks Operating in the City of Toronto, Including Retrofitting the City's fleet can be found on the City’s website at: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE18.5

Quotes:

“The City of Toronto is taking bold action to improve pedestrian safety. Adding side guards to vehicles is proven to reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and will help make our City safer.”

– Mayor Olivia Chow

“Side guards can significantly improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. Recommendations such as these are part of our ongoing commitment to the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.”

– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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