Most believe roads
safe for pedestrians, not for cyclists
Toronto, February 09th
– In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among
1,090 Toronto voters, the majority (44%) believe that roads are safe for
pedestrians, while over a third (37%) believe they are unsafe for pedestrians,
and (20%) are unsure.
Males (49%) are far
more likely than females (40%) to consider Toronto roads safe for pedestrians.
Those who drive to work (50%), the most wealthy (51%), and those who support
the Progressive Conservative Party (51%), are amongst those who are most likely
to consider Toronto’s roads safe for pedestrians.
Those who are the
least wealthy (48%), with a secondary education or less (43%), and those who
support the NDP (44%) are the most likely to consider Toronto’s roads unsafe
for pedestrians.
Majority believe Toronto roads unsafe for cyclists
5-in-10 respondents (50%)
consider Toronto’s roads unsafe for cyclists, with just over a third,
disagreeing, (34%) saying they are safe.
Amongst an extremely
small sample (n=33) of those who bicycle to work, perception of unsafe roads
for cyclists jumps to (78%). The opinion that Toronto roads are unsafe for
cyclists is common to those aged 18-34 (59%), the least wealthy (65%), and
small sample of (n=105) of Moms (61%).
Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan
In an effort to
reduce pedestrian casualties, Toronto rebranded its road safety plan “Vision
Zero,” but despite a number of high profile announcements about its content and
initiatives, awareness of the plan is extremely low (19%), with two-thirds (65%) responding they aren’t
familiar with the plan, and (15%) suggesting they are unsure.
Of the small
sample (n=215) aware of the Vision Zero plan, (40%) suggest the plan will make
Toronto’s streets safer for pedestrians, (28%) believe it will have no effect, and
(32%) are unsure.
“Despite recent and high profile pedestrian
accidents, most Torontonians still feel safe walking Toronto streets. Cyclists,
however, are not considered to have the same level of security,” said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff
Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at
lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.
