Creating a more walkable, bikeable Vaughan

Advancing the City’s network of sidewalks, cycling facilities and multi-use trails

Whether you hike, bike or stroll, the City of Vaughan wants to get you moving! As outlined in Vaughan’s Active Transportation Programs - Third Annual Update, efforts are being made to advance active transportation options, accommodate micro-users and create an even more interconnected city.

What is active transportation? Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity, such as walking, cycling, and the use of scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis and more.

What is micromobility and a micro-user? Micro-users ride micromobility devices, which include lightweight electric-powered modes of travel, such as e-rollerblades, e-skateboards, e-bikes, e-scooters and limited-speed motorcycles. Other than e-bikes, micromobility devices are currently not permitted on public property, however, City staff are working on how to best accommodate these devices on public property in order to permit their use. For more information visit vaughan.ca/micromobility.   

What is being done to connect the city and promote active travel? Since the completion of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in 2020, significant investments have been made to bring policies, plans, design standards and infrastructure delivery up to current best practice to improve transportation and mobility through active transportation.  

This plan informed many ongoing or recently completed plans and studies in 2022, including the following:

• Active Transportation Asset Management Plan – completed
• Complete Streets Guidelines – ongoing
• Concord GO Centre Secondary Plan – ongoing
• Municipal Energy Plan – completed
• Promenade Centre Secondary Plan – completed
• Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force Findings and Recommendations Report – completed
• Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Transportation Master Plan – ongoing
• Vaughan Official Plan Municipal Comprehensive Review – ongoing
• Vaughan Transportation Plan (city-wide) – ongoing
• Weston Road and Highway 7 Secondary Plan – ongoing
• Weston Road and Highway 7 Transportation Master Plan - ongoing
• Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design and Streetscape Plan – ongoing

These guiding documents set the stage for the implementation of active transportation infrastructure and transportation demand management measures.

The cycling and multi-use trails network in Vaughan continues to grow. In fact, more than 120 kilometres of cycling facilities, multi-use pathways and trails were advanced through municipal, regional and partner projects in 2022. Also, with bike trips and micromobility use becoming more popular, the City continues to implement multi-use recreational trails and separated cycling facilities to increase comfort and safety of those walking and cycling. Some of these projects are below:

Bartley Smith Greenway

The Bartley Smith Greenway Feasibility study started in 2021 and continued throughout 2022. It identified a preferred route to close a three-kilometre gap in the trail between McNaughton Road and Rutherford Road along the Upper West Don River corridor. The study is planned to be completed this year and will identify priority phases for construction. Meanwhile further south, constructing a trail underpass beneath the Metrolinx bridge at Langstaff Park is expected to start this year.

Doctors McLean District Park Riverwalk

The preliminary design of extending the Riverwalk within Doctors McLean District Park is underway. It will be approximately 1.2 kilometres long once complete.

Humber Trail

The Humber Trail will be extended approximately 1.4 kilometres, from Boyd Conservation Park to Langstaff Road. Following the completion of a feasibility study, design work is now underway.

Jane Street Uptown Link

The Jane Street Uptown Link spans between Steeles Street and north of Teston Road. The segment north of Portage Parkway will be implemented by 2026, and work includes installing eight kilometres of cycle tracks on each side of Jane Street and adding four kilometres of missing sidewalks in various locations along the corridor.

North Maple Regional Park Trail Upgrades

In 2022, trail upgrades were undertaken in North Maple Regional Park, including paving two kilometres of existing granular trails, adding more seating, planting, signage and replacing the Nevada Park Bridge.

Thornhill Neighbourhood Network

The Thornhill neighbourhood is one of four primary locations identified to develop localized networks with sustainable modes of transportation and increased connectivity. New Westminster Drive, and Hilda Street are currently in the detailed design stage, with construction starting this year and being phased over the next few years.

Vaughan Super Trail

Once complete, the Vaughan Super Trail will be a 100-kilometre city-wide loop system; 42 per cent of the trail is already complete. In 2022, planning was advanced through various trail feasibility studies, design and construction projects.

Learn about these projects and more in the Active Transportation Programs - Third Annual Update.

The report also outlines key actions completed under the following four community priorities: awareness and culture, safety, infrastructure and connectivity.

QUOTE

“The City of Vaughan is committed to being a fully connected and integrated community. We are focused on promoting active, accessible and sustainable travel so whether you walk, wheel with an assistive mobility device or cycle, we are working to advance your transportation options. Our interconnected transportation network is an example of what can be achieved when design excellence, flexible planning for the future and convenient travel options are combined and implemented to suit the needs of a rapidly growing municipality.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

QUICK FACTS

• The City of Vaughan’s Active Transportation Programs - Third Annual Update was approved by Vaughan Council in February 2023.
• This report outlines how the City advanced active transportation in 2022, and highlights key projects completed and initiatives underway.
• More than 120 kilometres of cycling facilities, multi-use pathways and trails were advanced through municipal, regional and partner projects in 2022.

LEARN MORE

• Committee of the Whole (2) Report: Active Transportation Programs – Third Annual Update
• Vaughan’s Active Transportation Program – Highlights of Accomplishments
• City of Vaughan’s cycling and multi-use trails network
• City of Vaughan’s cycling webpage
• City of Vaughan’s trails webpage
• City of Vaughan’s micromobility webpage