BRAMPTON, ON (April 17, 2020) – To help protect the health and safety of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Brampton is implementing interim bike lanes along the Vodden Street corridor. These interim bike lanes will provide an alternative cycling option to recreational trails for residents, and allow cyclists to maintain physical distancing.

As of Saturday, April 18, the City is temporarily closing off curb lanes to vehicular traffic along the following sections of road and repurposing the lanes for bicycle use only:

• Vodden Street – Ken Whillans Drive to Howden Boulevard
• Howden Boulevard – Vodden Street to Central Park Drive

These sections of road are a part of the planned East-West Cycling Corridor connection as proposed in the Active Transportation Master Plan. The City is working to implement permanent protected bike lanes on these streets in line with the Brampton 2040 Vision and the Streets for People Term of Council Priority.

Vehicular traffic in Peel Region is down 33 per cent as a result of COVID-19, giving the City a unique opportunity to showcase a part of the planned East-West Cycling Corridor to provide cyclists a safe connection to essential amenities and the City’s trail network.

For bicycle safety tips, visit www.brampton.ca. For a map of the interim bike lanes, visit here.

Quotes
“As we continue to navigate this unprecedented time, our residents remain our top priority. I am proud to say that Brampton is reconfiguring streets and repurposing traffic lanes to give cyclists and pedestrians more room to maintain physical distancing. I encourage people to continue to follow physical distancing recommendations and remain as active and healthy as possible under these trying circumstances.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“Brampton believes in promoting, supporting and implementing active transportation to keep our city moving. Given this Covid-19 emergency, we must now more than ever ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, and cars maintain a safe distance apart. As a cyclist myself, I am proud of our collaborative efforts with the community to make these temporary bike lanes happen and we look forward to implementing permanent solutions in the near future.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Member, Cycling Advisory Committee

“The City is temporarily reallocating road space for cyclists to keep residents healthy and active while maintaining physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. With less traffic on our roads, we hope to provide a positive and safe experience for anyone wanting to ride a bicycle during this time.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“In this time of isolation, an important part of how my wife and I maintain our physical and mental wellbeing is by riding our bikes to buy essentials and for exercise. I am grateful to Mayor Brown, Councillor Santos, all of Brampton Council and City staff who understand the need and are dedicating important public space for a bike lane that will reduce the pressure on pathways, so we can all get outside while meeting the requirement for physical distancing.”
- David Laing, Chair, BikeBrampton

-30-