Windsor ranks lowest out of 41 cities for commuters who walk, bus, bike: census
Out of more than 40 cities across Canada, Windsor is ranked poorest for the size of its commuter population getting to work or school by foot, bus or bicycle.
Recently-released census data from Statistics Canada compared 41 cities — from Windsor and Toronto to Halifax and Edmonton — for its “share of commuters using sustainable transportation.”
About 23 per cent of commuters in Vancouver, Victoria and Montreal get where they need to go via transit, walking or cycling — topping the list from the 2021 census data.
But, with just six per cent of its commuters using sustainable transportation, Windsor sits at the very bottom of the list.
Longtime cycling and safety advocate Lori Newton said the numbers are “disappointing” but come as no surprise.
“People in this city should not be required to own a car to live here and that’s what we’ve created. If you don’t have a car in the City of Windsor, you’re a second-hand citizen here,” said Newton, adding political officials have not shown a strong enough commitment to active transportation.
As executive director for Bike Windsor Essex, Newton said she’s been keeping an eye on how other cities such as London and Hamilton are supporting active transportation users — adding while they “sometimes miss the mark,” it’s apparent they are making changes which are leaving Windsor “way behind.”
Some of the work she’s seen includes building barriers to separate cyclists from traffic, painting bike boxes on roadways and extending bike lanes into intersections.
“Because the lane drops off, you’re left on your bike and thinking, 'Where do I go now? What do I do? What’s safe for me?’ It’s one of the reasons why we see cyclists on sidewalks,” said Newton, adding cyclists are having to break the law to protect themselves.
“We’re quick to criticize people and call them out for not riding safely but they’re doing the best that they can to remain safe while they’re out riding. But it is certainly the reason why we have a lot of women and children who won’t ride.”
Windsor resident Christine Fitzpatrick, who uses the bus as her main mode of transportation around the city, said she understands why so many commuters are opting not to take the bus to get to work.
Fitzpatrick resides in Windsor’s east end and said she regularly needs to go downtown for appointments and other general items.
“Originally, it took about an hour and a half, one way, just to get downtown from my place,” she said.
“It’s been a little bit better. They’ve changed the route so it doesn’t go down so many streets as it did before — but it’s still an hour.”
Fitzpatrick, who is also a member of the advocacy group Activate Transit Windsor-Essex, is calling for more buses along routes so people who miss one bus “aren’t waiting an hour” for another to arrive.
The group is also calling for more express routes that can quickly get from one side of the city to the other, along with further investments in the city’s transit system as a whole.
“What we’re looking for is to make sure that the end user can see these investments. We’re just worried today is not going to get invested in the right projects. We really need a new garage for transit,” said Fitzpatrick.
Windsor city council recently voted for a $100-million upgrade to transit services but nixed plans to build a new bus garage.
CTV News reached out to the city and the mayor’s office for comment but neither agreed to an interview.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.