I’m glad to see improvements but I find the fact they needed to even do a pilot project for this a bit ridiculous. Of course people will have better mobility if the sidewalk is actually clear. Residents reported significant improvemts even while the sidewalks are getting a fraction of the attention the roads gets.

The article also mentions how a plow will often refill the sidewalk after it passes. The city should strive to try to have sidewalk plows follow road plows, especially on major routes and near schools. Having a sidewalk clear “within 24 hours” after a storm is a bit ridiculous. Some storms hit pretty hard, but people still have to work and get places regardless.

Many of the residents who helped report sidewalk conditions in the study have also reported falling due to uncleared sidewalks. This isn’t just a mobility issue, it is a public health issue as well.

I can’t speak for Sudbury, but I remember Toronto doesn’t even start plowing until 4-5cm of snowfall. In Finland, is the city of Oulu, where they give priority to cycle paths, plowing within a few hours of 2cm snow. The snow services in Oulu guarantee there will always be less accumulation that what it takes for Toronto to even begin.

Additionally, they don’t just push it off to the side, and call it done. They pack some of it down into a walkable and rideable surface. This allows year round use of the cycle network, with the largest dip in ridership being 20% when it’s colder than -20C.

Of course, this all must start by having such a network in the first place. Sidewalks are a good starting place. Hopefully, if Sudbury can keep them clear, the usage through the winter will help justify a higher budget to build out walking and cycling infrastructure.