City of Toronto considers retrofitting all heavy-duty trucks with side guards – Truck News

The City of Toronto is considering retrofitting its heavy-duty truck fleet with side guards to protect pedestrians and cyclists at a cost of $5.7 million.

The recommendation stems from a staff report to the Infrastructure and Environment committee, which calls for all heavy-duty trucks to be retrofit by 2026.

It cites research suggesting side guards could reduce cyclist fatalities by 62% and pedestrian fatalities by 20%.

“The City of Toronto is taking bold action to improve pedestrian safety. Adding side guards to vehicles is proven to reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and will help make our city safer,” mayor Olivia Chow sad in a release.

The city already spec’s side guards on new trucks ordered and has 30 trucks in its fleet with side guards. The recommendation calls for 219 of the city’s 500 heavy-duty trucks to be retrofit by December 2025, with all suitable vehicles retrofit by December 2026.