Comments for Setting the Agenda 2010

Comment on Cycling Infrastructure by David Robertson

David Robertson — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:05:20 +0000

The comments about separated bike lanes inspired me. For a long time, I’ve wondered what our main streets would be like if, instead of on-street parking for cars, parking were relegated to side streets and close-by lots. It is such a waste of precious space for moving people, to have parking spots right on the streets. Separated bike lanes would only take up part of the liberated space. Perhaps some of the rest of the space could go towards designated streetcar lanes in some cases.

The result would be safer streets and faster transit routes for everyone, including cars. Some merchants might claim to suffer, but if the side-street parking were made convenient and attractive, I doubt that would be the case. It would just be efficient. They do it all over northern Europe already; we should just catch up!

Comment on Democratic Reform and Civic Engagement by Desmond Cole

Desmond Cole — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:01:49 +0000

Here’s a suggestion for reform: let’s extend municipal voting rights to all permanent residents of our city, regardless of their immigration status. Everyone who chooses to live in our city has a stake in Toronto’s prosperity. Every resident should have the right to vote for their mayor, city councillor and school board trustee.

The I Vote Toronto campaign has been advocating such a change for more than a year. So far, 67 local and provincial organizations have endorsed our proposal. Furthermore, this idea has been employed in jurisdictions all over the world. Given that Toronto receives approximately 50,000 newcomers each year, we must do more to engage new residents immediately. The sooner we do, the sooner they will contribute to buildong our city.

Comment on Welcome to Setting the Agenda 2010 — a vision for Toronto by Raj

Raj — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:35:38 +0000

1. Improving cycling infrastrucure
2. Improving the built landscape (better architecture and street furniture, installing public restrooms and water fountains, taking down billboards, etc.)
3. Improving municipal governance and efficiency (abolishing the ward-based system, higher pay for mayor and councillors, reining in spending and extraneous initiatives, abolishing (or at least taking a stand against) public sector unions)
4. Making TTC a profit-seeking organization (i.e., stop subsidizing sprawl).
5. Reversing the land-transfer tax grab

Thanks for this opportunity Coucillor Mihevc — I hope this makes a difference this coming election.

Comment on Cycling Infrastructure by MS

MS — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:49:51 +0000

The only way to reasonably accommodate cyclists on side roads is to provide safe crossings at arterial roads. I feel more vulnerable as a cyclist coming to the end of a side street and being forced to turn left onto an arterial road with no stoplight than I do just sticking to the arterials all together.

Comment on Cycling Infrastructure by DN

DN — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:16:47 +0000

I love biking and agree that we need more bike lanes and more education so people actually respect the lanes. We also need to keep the bicyclists off the sidewalks. I was almost run over by a bicyclist last week as they were riding side by side and must have been afraid to ride on the road.

Another thing is we need more lanes that allows both regular bikes and e-bikes or e-mopeds. While I love my regular bikes, work is too far and I do not want to get there all sweaty. Without an ebike, I will either suffer in the rediculous congestion with the TTC or drive – which is not the preferred solution.

Comment on Accessibility by M. Moore

M. Moore — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:51:00 +0000

I am now barred from using the entrance to my station due to the token freeze (!). I rented this apartment so that I would have easy access to the subway 1/2 a block away.

When I called to lodge a complaint, both through the TTC’s line and the Commissioner’s office, the only solution was to either walk the extra blocks, or stand in the cold and wait for the bus. Or I can buy a metro pass, even though I don’t use the subway enough to make that pay. 4 round trips a week on average, as much due to money as due to my own limitations. Seriously, ya’ll don’t get it.

So it’s about to be December and I am now more limited by this freeze.

When the fair hikes go up in January, I will be further limited to where I can go, as doctor’s appointments must come first. So much for the company of friends.

This all lead me to thinking why is it that the disabled do not get a reduced rates such as students and seniors — given that we are much less likely to drive, and, oh tend to live below the poverty line? Why are seniors forced to buy tickets, even though a token entrance might be closer? Can tokens not be sold to seniors and the disabled at a lower rate? Can we not figure out the math for that

The Accessibility for Ontarian with Disabilities Act starts to come into effect as of Jan 2010 — since the TTC is a public service, I’m pretty sure they will not meet even the customer service standards in the next 4 weeks.

I would appreciate your giving these facts some serious thought.

Comment on Transit future by Mark Atyeo

Mark Atyeo — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:33:56 +0000

With respect A.R.
My uninformed guess is that the Spadina streetcar line is exactly the opposite of what you have asserted.
Without being in a position to know, I BELIEVE that the LRT on Spadina is faster, MORE likely to attract ridership, and HIGHLY more likely to attract economic development than buses (add to the list cleaner, more esthetic, and more traffic friendly). This built at a fraction of the cost of a subway line.

I am for well planned and connected subway lines but the cost of them makes it imperative that decisions be made for the PUBLIC (vs private) benefit. I am afraid that the Sheppard line was a legacy (to Mel) project which benefitted a relative few but cost the whole.

Comment on Community Services and Engagement (including day care, Library, seniors’ services, parks, forestry & recreation, and many other areas) by Mark Atyeo

Mark Atyeo — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:12:30 +0000

Since ‘the Arts’ can be expected to include events like TIFF, Nuit Blnache, celebrations (including new years) in Nathan Phillips square, it seems that the topic has a place at the table in municipal issues.

It’s not MY place. I tend to be more interested in nuts & bolts as well.
But let’s let those who wish to do so, discuss them. BTW, ‘wannabe artist suffering from chronic depression’ sounds like a description of the species versus an individual thereof.

Comment on Transit future by Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:52:06 +0000

I totally agree with this SNC Lavalin idea for the ARL. Yes, to enhance your point, if we can get someone to run that like Porter runs its airline ops it will be a huge step up that will force the TTC to a customer service model. This is an excellent comparison.

Comment on Cycling Infrastructure by BikerMom

BikerMom — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:24:12 +0000

I am in favour of most of MIchelle’s list:
– Complete Streets Policy
-Increase in secure bike parking
-More continuous bike lanes
-Sharrows through busy intersections (e.g. College and Spadina)
-Making ticketing to cars parked in bike lanes a priority

Also like MO’s comment to mandate new buildings to include areas for bikes/showers.

Plus I think we need to have dedicated bike lanes in the most congested/dangerous areas. No amount of education is going to stop cars from being physically threatening.