Active Transportation Implementation Plan

The five-year Active Transportation Implementation Plan (ATIP) identifies cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, programming, and operational investments to foster a culture of active transportation in Kingston. The plan prioritizes improvements to create an integrated city-wide active transportation network, identifies opportunities to develop neighbourhood-level connections and outlines plans for programming and policy initiatives. 

Current Programs

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School is a community-level program designed to make it safer and more enjoyable for students to get to and from school using active modes of transportation. It was identified as part of the Active Transportation Implementation Plan. 

The program’s goal is to get more students using travel modes that are active, safe and sustainable. Active travel to school benefits students in several ways, including;

• Safer school zones
• Increased physical and mental health
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Better academic performance

How the program works

Safe Routes to School is implemented in six steps.

1. School Travel Committee is established
   • Timelines are established and school profiles are completed.
2. Neighbourhood conditions are assessed
   • Data is collected through surveys and walkabouts.
3. Action Plan is developed
   • Solutions to problem areas are identified and prioritized.
4. Action Plan is implemented
   • The Five E’s: education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement and evaluation.
5. Conditions are reassessed
   • Collect follow-up data to evaluate progress and share results.
6. Keep it going
   • Establish "champions" within the school community and renew sustainability.

Participating Schools

As part of the initial phase of the City’s Safer Routes to School program, wayfinding signage has been installed along some routes to school. The signage will show students how long it may take to walk, roll or cycle to school. 

As part of the initial phase of the City’s Safer Routes to School program, wayfinding signage is being installed along some routes to school, including Truedell Public School, Lancaster Drive Public School, and Mother Teresa Catholic School. The signage will show students how long it may take to walk, roll or cycle to school. The signage will be in place for the start of school in September.

This follows the recent reconstruction of the pick-up/drop-off areas at at Lancaster Drive Public School and Mother Teresa Catholic School, which were designed with safety and active travel at the forefront. The area surrounding these schools aligns with one of the three neigbourhood-focus areas identified in the ATIP.

View the Safe Routes to School brochure and infographic.

For more information on the Safe Routes to School program, please contact saferoutes@CityofKingston.ca.

Current Projects

Note: the route numbers listed below refer to those in the Cycling Network.

Route 6 - King St. Multi-use Pathway - Planning and Design

• A new multi-use pathway is being developed along the north and south side of King St. from Trailhead to Portsmouth Ave.
• The path provides a buffered option for pedestrians and cyclists to travel in and will include a number of rest areas with benches along the route. 
• The City is also making changes to the intersection of King St. and Portsmouth Ave. to make it easier for residents using the new multi-use pathways to connect with existing cycling infrastructure. 
• Construction: 2021-2022
• View the pathway plan and reporting back
• Project contact: Mark Dickson

Route 8 - Rideau Trail Multi-use Pathway - Planning and Design

• Visit the project page for more information.
• Construction: 2021-2022
• Project contact: Mark Dickson

Cataraqui Woods Dr. Multi-use Pathway - Planning and Design

• A new multi-use pathway is being developed along the south side of Cataraqui Woods Dr. between Sydenham Rd. and Centennial Dr. 
• This will connect to the existing multi-use pathway on Centennial Dr. that leads to the K&P Trail.
• The City collected feedback on where rest areas could be placed along the pathway. A summary of the engagement is available on Get Involved page.

Sidewalk Rest Areas for 2021 - Planning and Design

• Three new sidewalks are planned for 2021 including Collins Bay Rd. between Aylmer and Edwin, Gardiners Rd. between Cataraqui Woods and Norris Court, and Gardiners Rd. between Princess and O'Connor. 
• These new sidewalks were identified as part of the City’s 5-year Active Transportation Implementation Plan (ATIP) as they will fill in gaps in the City’s sidewalk network. 
• The City is collecting feedback on where rest areas could be placed along the sidewalks. Visit the Get Involved Kingston page to provide your input by Feb. 9. 

Completed Cycling Projects

These priority projects identified in the Active Transportation Master Plan were completed in 2020, including:

Route 14 - Leroy Grant Multi-use Pathway

• This project consists of a multi-use off-road pathway from Third Avenue to Elliot Avenue and through Champlain Park, along with an in-boulevard multi-use pathway from Elliot Ave. to John Counter Blvd.
• Construction includes approximately 1.8km of asphalt pathway, intersection upgrades at John Counter Blvd. and Leroy Grant Dr., new pedestrian gates, benches, drainage and landscaping.
• This project was identified in the Active Transportation Master Plan as a priority to ensure active transportation connections to the nearby school currently under construction. The public also identified it as a priority during consultation on the ATIP.
• View the pathway plan and sidewalk plan
• Project contact: Mark Dickson

For more information on these projects, contact Mark Dickson, Project Manager, Transportation Services.