Release of the Canadian Pedestrian Network Database, 2016 to 2024

Released: 2025-03-19

The Canadian Pedestrian Network Database is a collection of pedestrian infrastructure data compiled from municipal open data sources across Canada. It was developed as part of a trio of mobility datasets produced by the Urban Data Lab and supported by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), complementing the Canadian Cycling Network Database and the Canadian Public Transit Network Database.

Safe and accessible walking environments are key to healthy, sustainable and connected communities. The newly released Canadian Pedestrian Network Database provides researchers and policymakers with data to support informed decisions on active transportation.

Data collection

Data were sourced from municipal open data websites. A total of 55 municipalities spanning eight provinces were found to have open data across Canada. The most municipalities were found in Ontario (23), British Columbia (15) and Quebec (5). Primary data were collected from November 2023 to February 2024.

Pedestrian infrastructure classification

Across Canada, individual municipalities publish pedestrian data, but different classification systems are typically used, making it difficult to compare between municipalities. An exploratory classification system for pedestrian infrastructure was developed based on existing schemas, including the Can-Walk report (2024), published by CHATR Lab and HICC. Using this classification schema, pedestrian infrastructure was classified into eight categories: sidewalks, pedestrian paths, multi-use paths, unpaved paths, pedestrian zones, crosswalks, bridges/underpasses and stairways.

Further details on the classification system and methodology are given in the Metadata Report.

Acknowledgement

The Canadian Pedestrian Network Database was made possible by the ongoing efforts of organizations that produce and maintain open data and by the cooperation of organizations that have either given permission to include their publicly available data or directly provided them for release as open data. The contributions and assistance of these organizations are gratefully acknowledged.

Accessing the dataset

The dataset can be downloaded from the Canadian Pedestrian Network Database webpage. It is made available under the Open Government Licence - Canada.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).