Cycling Infrastructure
Discussion of how cycling infrastructure should be developed has now been moved to this page.
Setting the Agenda 2010
What's your vision for Toronto?
-
Recent Comments
David Robertson on Cycling Infrastructure Desmond Cole on Democratic Reform and Civic… Raj on Welcome to Setting the Agenda … MS on Cycling Infrastructure DN on Cycling Infrastructure
November 18, 2009 at 10:11 am |
Why does it take so long? There are a number of streets in Toronto already slated for lanes, sharrows etc. Why is it so hard to get lines painted on the streets and signs put up on lampposts. Surely this process could be sped up.
November 19, 2009 at 3:29 pm |
Let’s show some vision. How about bike lanes on all streetcar routes?
Dedicated right-of-way for every streetcar route; no cars allowed at all; dedicated bike lanes where the cars are now; wide sidewalks.
November 19, 2009 at 10:44 pm |
Use side streets for bike lanes. Toronto could easily add some really great cycling routes that would traverse the city on side streets, by allowing some one way streets to have a bike lane going the opposite direction.
November 20, 2009 at 11:16 am |
For one, I would like to see the completion of the Bike Plan as a high priority. Second, can we look at case examples of other forms of infrastructure aside from the white lane on ashphalt that could be applicable to particular streets in Toronto (Physically separated bike lanes on College st. for example)? Third, I know the Bike Union recently gave a deputation on doubling the fines on drivers who park in bike lanes and I would definitely like to see this pushed even further. In addition, it would be great to see an increase in enforcement of ticketing drivers not just from traffic enforcement but also police officers.
November 23, 2009 at 1:25 pm |
If the city should start enforcing / increasing fines on cars parked in bike lanes as well as for other infractions. They should also be more active in ticketing and enforcing the laws which cyclists break on a daily basis. While there are many cyclists out there who do obey traffic signals and don’t bike on the side walk. It seems like there are just as many that obviously do not know what a stop signs or red lights are and believe that the barreling down the side walk during rush hour is perfectly acceptable. I am all for increasing bike lanes and even (during the 7-8 months of the year when biking is reasonable) taking a few secondary roads and turning them into bike only roads, and physically separated lanes, etc… But, every time I see someone riding a bike on a sidewalk or running a red light I have to shake me head because that does nothing to build good while for getting this city on the right track.
November 20, 2009 at 12:02 pm |
Process:
I’d like to see some different process put in place for approving bike lanes. While I’m not in favour of an “all or nothing” approach, the current system of a separate council vote on every individual inch of bike lane has clearly slowed the process down to a standstill. There must be some other way.
Railpaths:
I really like the railpath, but it is far too short. Similar rail paths could be put in place throughout the city, and offer easy solutions where bike paths are difficult. For instance, I understand that it’s difficult to create a bike path on a dangerous road like Keele between Bloor and York University, but rail and hydro corridors might provide an excellent solution.
http://bikingtoronto.com/maps/hydrorail/
November 20, 2009 at 12:27 pm |
It’s the little things that matter for cycling infrastructure. Vancouver has done a great job of adding rapid bikeways to side streets, avoiding conflicts over parking and lane restrictions. Toronto could do the same for very little money.
The problem with the current “shared roadways” is that they aren’t useful to commute or run errands quickly due to unfacilitated crossing of arterial roads and indiscriminate traffic calming. Take Poplar Plans Rd to Dunvegan Northbound. First the trail dead-ends at St. Clair, forcing you to walk your bike 1 block west, cross at the light, then 1/2 block east, before continuing. Then, there are stop signs every block. Huge potential for a fast, effective cycling road wasted.
Vancouver solves the arterial crossing problem by mandating bicycle-priority traffic lights at major intersections, similarly to Kilbarry Rd. & Oriole Pkwy. Cars cannot pass, and the traffic lights respond instantly to pedestrian button presses. At the same time, bicycle-designated streets have minimal stop signs, and only car traffic is calmed using a combination of bicycle-passable roadblocks (as at Huntley St. & Earl St.) and roundabout bollards (as at Broadway & Bayview).
Focus on road features that keep cars out of side streets and encourage bicycles in.
November 20, 2009 at 12:36 pm |
More bike parking, please. Some parts of the city (e.g. Yonge) are woefully lacking in parking. And have better standards for bike parking requirements from stores or apartments. Many places, especially grocery stores, provide rusty, broken, or poor quality “bike parking” spots out of necessity, not as a service to their cycling customers.
November 20, 2009 at 12:38 pm |
While the city takes its sweet time to deliberate the merits of designating a bike line on this or that road, an immediate band-aid at minimal expense would be useful. The city can merely paint solid lines a half meter from the curb; this would help keep car drivers from inadvertently, or deliberately, wandering too far to the right in its traffic lane, thus cutting off bicyclists. Example: Queens Quay.
November 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm |
Councilor Mihevc,
I would like to see the TTC to re-open dialogue with the cycling community. Why is it that the St. Clair revitalization can happen with little or no consultation with cyclists. The TTC must realize that they stand to benefit from an increase in cycle mode-share. The TTC controls huge real-estate on public rights-of-way. Plan well. Share some.
As it stands, peak-hour transit service is well over capacity. Administering a system for huge peak-hour demand means that TTC has become economically unstable (17.4 in the hole). In your role as the vice chair of the TTC and during the upcoming campaign please help the commission get back in line with sound and holistic transportation planning strategies. Reduce peak-hour transit demand by dedicating real-estate to the bicycle. We will ALL travel happier and more efficiently.
November 20, 2009 at 1:13 pm |
Let’s encourage the “next generation” of bike commuters by creating bike paths around schools that allow kids to bike to school safely.
See Boulder’s Safe Routes to School program for inspiration.
http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/5043/colorado
November 20, 2009 at 1:13 pm |
I heard the Cycling Union was involved with updating the Driver’s Handbook to include bike safety, but what about the taxi fleet? Are they regulated by municipal or provincial gov’t?
If the City, then I’d suggest part of their training (if there is any!) included bike safety awareness. One idea that springs to mind would have cabbies reminding their fares to watch for bikes before opening doors (maybe even include a “sticker on the back seat facing passengers).
November 20, 2009 at 1:17 pm |
-the Bike Plan
-bike lanes on streetcar routes, bike lanes on one way streets (opposite direction), physically separate bike lanes
-greater enforcement of laws such as stopping/parking in bike lanes; increased fines for infractions affecting cyclists
-car-free zones (e.g. Kensington Market)
November 20, 2009 at 1:21 pm |
I am interested in getting my neighbours out of four wheels and on to two wheels…
Growing this 2-wheeled urban demographic as a force to push for faster change… (more “cycling” infrastructure…)
One way to do this is by providing power-assist to the Victorian pedal bicycle. There are now neighbourhoods in Toronto that report themselves as up to 20% reliant on the pedal bike as their primary form of transport but for Canadians as a whole the average is still less than two percent.
After 100 years of use the pedal bicycle (as a slow-speed and light weight vehicle) has proven itself as a human-friendly and planet-friendly mode of wheeled transportation.
As with many new techologies the introduction of power-assisted bicycles has been failing in the way it is being introduced in Ontario and to Toronto.
While the new power-assisted bicycles travel at pedal bike speeds and share many of the attributes of the Victorian pedal bicycle they look “different” than what folks are familiar with and this has created a dissonance that is difficult for some to accept…
There is a tiny (but vocal) “hard-core” contingent of pedal folks who have been promoting the pedal bike as transport (and pushing for bike infrastructure for many years) who see power-assist as “wrong” but really their perspective is myopic and they have lost sight of their real “enemy”, the 20th-century motorized carriage (“automobile”) that most of their urban neighbours are still addicted to.
tks
Lock
November 20, 2009 at 2:19 pm |
Increase fines for cyclists who do not obey the rules of the road. This can be used to fund cyclist infrastructure.
November 20, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
I am a cyclist, and a realist.
Bikes and cars do not mix well.
Cars are not going to go away, unless the city dies.
Bikes, for the vast majority in Toronto, are fair weather vehicles, and always will be.
Bike lanes on major streets do more harm in the way of causing pollution by slowing traffic then they do to help commuting.
Cyclists should discover the side streets of Toronto, they’re wonderfully quiet, and intersting to cycle down.
Has anyone wondered why it costs $10,000 for one KM of bike lane? I certainly do.
Why are signs necessary to tell people about a bnike lane that is PAINTED ON THE ROAD?
Come on people, get off the main streets, enjoy your ride, leave the traffic and exhaust, and have fun.
November 24, 2009 at 4:05 pm |
Brian I wonder if bikes & cars couldn’t be encouraged to mix better?
There is no doubt that for cyclists (like yourself), unimpeded transit down a secondary street is preferable to the same on an busy arterial road. Unfortunately many of the cyclists interacting with cars are commuters and ‘unimpeded’ is going to be important. That is WHY these cyclists (as well as the drivers) find themselves on these roadways in the first place.
If we’re talking about commuters, asking the drivers to slow down and smell the flowers is going to carry about as much weight as asking the transit riders or the cyclists.
November 20, 2009 at 4:08 pm |
I agree with the benefits of cycling, but let’s remember that our population is going through an aging boom. In any cycling initiatives, don’t forget the wobbly, slow seniors who could be impacted by changes. Remember the pedestrian who was truck and killed by a cyclist riding the sidewalk?
November 20, 2009 at 4:27 pm |
Let’s not reinvent the wheel! A weekend in Montreal, reminded me of existing possibilities:
- Dual direction bike lanes work! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3567801387_5f2b3b804c_o.jpg
- Lanes are ideal, but we can at least slap down some more sharrows
- Bring the public bike sharing system, BIXI to Toronto! Since spring of 2009, Montréalers took over a million trips (equivalent to 87 times around the world) a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases and proving public interest in alternative public transportation. http://montreal.bixi.com/rolling-with-bixi/how-it-works
November 24, 2009 at 3:19 pm |
Paint is (relatively) cheap and sharrows can help. But if drivers don’t know what they mean, we have some challenges.
November 20, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
I am approaching the “senior citizen” category, live downtown, and am very conscious of how I satisfy my transportation needs. I follow the following hierarchy of choices:
1. Walking – always 1st choice
2. Bicycle – my favorite weather permitting
3. Electric Bicycle – scooter style – I have owned for 3 years
4. TTC
5. Car – last resort (e.g. if I have to go to Oakville or Mississauga)
Regarding the bicycle and electric bicycle/scooter, we need to do everything possible to facilitate use of these modes of transportation.
• More bike lanes in an integrated plan
• Strict enforcement of drivers who block bike lanes, including service and delivery vehicles.
I want to add a comment about electric bikes. As mentioned I own and use both. Some within the cycling community, including the TCU, seem to have taken a strong position opposing these E-bikes and their treatment as a bicycle. Any of the arguments I have seen appear to be mostly emotional with little basis in fact. From a safety point of view, my observation is that electric bike riders are much more law-abiding and careful than those on conventional bikes. The MTO recognized this and hence the final legislation of the provisions of the 3-year E-bike pilot this fall.
For people of a somewhat more advanced age (like yours truly), these e-Bikes provide a very valuable way to get around without using a car – which after all is what we are all striving for. In my opinion, imposing any further restrictions on these bikes would be extremely short-sighted, discourage their use, and send more people like me back to cars.
November 20, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
I am approaching the “senior citizen” category, live downtown, and am very conscious of how I satisfy my transportation needs. I follow the following hierarchy of choices:
1. Walking – always 1st choice
2. Bicycle – my favorite weather permitting
3. Electric Bicycle – scooter style – I have owned for 3 years
4. TTC
5. Car – last resort (e.g. if I have to go to Oakville or Mississauga)
Regarding the bicycle and electric bicycle/scooter, we need to do everything possible to facilitate use of these modes of transportation.
• More bike lanes in an integrated plan
• Strict enforcement of drivers who block bike lanes, including service and delivery vehicles.
I want to add a comment about electric bikes. As mentioned I own and use both one of these and a conventional bike. Some within the cycling community, including the TCU, seem to have taken a strong position opposing these E-bikes and their treatment as a bicycle. Any of the arguments I have seen appear to be mostly emotional with little basis in fact. From a safety point of view, my observation is that electric bike riders are much more law-abiding and careful than those on conventional bikes. The MTO recognized this and hence the final legislation of the provisions of the 3-year E-bike pilot this fall.
For people of a somewhat more advanced age (like yours truly), these E-bikes provide a very valuable way to get around without using a car – which after all is what we are all striving for. In my opinion, imposing any further restrictions on these bikes would be extremely short-sighted, discourage their use, and send more people like me back to cars.
November 20, 2009 at 6:59 pm |
While I am inconvenienced by the bike lane while driving on Dupont and Annette each Thursday afternoon, as I cyclist, I understand and appreciate the need for the lanes.
Painted bike lanes, while not perfect, are safer than no lanes. I fear for my life when cycling even for a short time on St. Clair or Bathurst St. for example and will use the sidewalk for my safety even though it’s a misdemeanor.
Incidentally, when the City was “listening” to citizen input before the St. Clair right of way construction started, they were singularly uninterested in cyclists’ requests for a bike lane.
November 20, 2009 at 9:18 pm |
“Cars are not going to go away, unless the city dies.”
Hehe… Makes ya wonder how cities survived for the few thousand years before the 20th-century motorized carriage (“automobile”)
;->
tks
Lock
November 20, 2009 at 9:29 pm |
“While I am inconvenienced by the bike lane…”
HA! Well then, as a sometimes cyclist you will appreciate how cyclists feel positively *threatened* by folks in their automobiles…
…because they are.
tks
Lock
November 20, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
I’ve noticed some good progress but we have a long way to go. The Queen’s Quay dedicated bike lane experiment 2(?) years ago was a beautiful dream for us cyclists, I believe the whole concept was apealing to all who live, work or frequent the Harbour Front. I’m hoping to see this become permanent in the next couple of years. It is truly inviting for citizens and tourists to be able to cycle the great expanse of our waterfront in a SAFE and inviting environment.
Also, yes, more bike lanes please!!! Side streets are a fine option (even opposite one ways). I know so many people who would ride more often if there were more dedicated lanes.
November 20, 2009 at 11:16 pm |
I am impressed with the knowledge of those posting. I am likely one of the least represented demographics in this discussion -a woman with five bikes, two cars (at least I am honest..) and two 3 yr olds. I take my kids via trailer to school everyday…it is 10 mins from our house but I must take sidewalks as the streets have no bike lane (ie Bayview Ave) and are too dangerous to risk placing my kids on. Alot of the traffic congestion in my area is parents taking kids to school, which seems like a lose/lose on all fronts – sedentary kids riding in carbon emitters. I would love to hear some ideas from people on changing that pattern. For our city to remain liveable and healthy, we need to find ways to assure moms/kids that biking is as SAFE as driving.
I agree that we should move bike lanes off main roads onto designated lanes on side streets.
I would also propose investigating some seasonal or temporary bike lanes – for instance, weekend summers take a lane out of bayview ave or bloor in the downtown areas, invite people to get on their bikes, and see what happens. These can be done experimentally and then fine tuned before becoming “policy”. I feel that we need to address the fact that weather is a big factor in the decision to ride – from a safety and comfort perspective. Fewer people are willing to ride in the winter or even spring/fall. Should we develop some initiatives that address this fact? thanks for listening.
November 21, 2009 at 12:12 am |
I’ve been hit by cars twice in the last year and I’ve had so many close calls I can’t even remember them all. The worst thing is when drivers intentionally try to run me off the road.
I think it’s time some money was invested in a driver education program.
November 21, 2009 at 11:05 am |
Thye cycling agenda is definitely one of my looks-fors in the next mayoral campaign. Let’s get this Bike Plan off the ground, increase fines for drivers blocking bike lanes and endangering both cyclists and pedestrians with their poor and sloppy driving habits (running red lights, speeding, weaving through traffic, talking on cellphones). Also I feel the city needs to make a big push for greener initiatives, public transits, pedestrian zones.
November 21, 2009 at 2:36 pm |
FIRST IDEA
I would like to see a bike lane built along CN rail tracks running north-south through Downsview Park, under Wilson Avenue and hwy 401, and then parallel to Caledonia Avenue (half-way between Dufferin and Keele) to just north of Eglinton Avenue. This bike path could be up to 10m wide and would connect to the Kay Gardiner Beltline Trail and provide a continuous cycling path from Mount Pleasant Cemetery to Downsview Park and then further north to the not yet developed bicycle path along the Finch Hydro Corridor.
SECOND IDEA
Some have suggested that cyclists ride on side streets. How about converting Duplex Avenue and Jedburgh road into a bicycle thoroughfare? Duplex runs one block west of Yonge street from Chaplin Crescent in the south to Lawrence Avenue in the north. Then Jedburgh Road runs north from Lawrence to Yonge Blvd (just south of Wilson Avenue). Much of Yonge Street has recently been reconstructed in this area and we can let motorized traffic use Yonge street as their thoroughfare. Currently Duplex and Jedburgh have the following:
- no bike lanes
- motorized traffic in both directions
- many four-way stop signs
I suggest the following for the entire length of Duplex and Jedburgh
- make it one way for motorized traffic as follows: north one way for two blocks, then south one way for two blocks, then north one way for two blocks; this will enable residents along Duplex to travel along Duplex for a short distance before going east to Yonge Street
- put bike lanes along both sides of Duplex; make the bike lanes “contra-flow” there-by allowing cyclists to travel along the full-length of Duplex and Jedburgh in either direction
- pull up almost all stop signs on Duplex and Jedburgh; streets crossing Duplex and Jedburgh will need stop signs, giving cycle-traffic along Duplex the right-of-way
OTHER IDEAS
There are many one-way streets south of Dupont Street. Keep the one-way streets, but make them contra-flow for cyclists.
Implement cycling specific signage. Residential streets frequently include many 4-way stop signs designed to discourage car-traffic. But they also hinder cycling traffic. We need cycling specific signage.
Some have suggested that cyclists stay off main roads and stick to side streets. Problem is, very few side streets are continous. Eventually the cyclist needs to travel on a busy road.
I like biker Mom’s suggestion to experiment with closing one lane of traffic on certain busy streets on Saturdays in the summer time.
November 23, 2009 at 6:53 pm |
I love both of these ideas! The 1st one addresses crossing the great (401) divide, can hook up to an existing east-west route along Castlefield (just north of Eglinton), and can promote longer cycling commutes.
November 21, 2009 at 2:42 pm |
I agree with Anthony et al who promote cycling on side streets a la Vancouver. Cycling on a bikeway such as West 10th is greatly facilitated by signalized crossings of major arterials. Toronto should take a hard look at what they’ve managed to do on the Left Coast.
Annette / Dupont is much better for cyclists, but it is worse for cars now, and the city should look at traffic surveys and perhaps retiming the light at Dupont / Dundas to prioritize east west traffic.
November 21, 2009 at 3:39 pm |
Although many cyclists are responsible, we as a community must show some initiative in meeting drivers part way. Most of the comments I have read so far relate to what drivers should be doing, and what the city should be doing. Debbie’s comment about poor and sloppy driving habits (running red lights, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, talking on cell phones) could apply to many cyclists as well. I feel that helmets should be mandatory for all, as should obeying rules of the road. We are not going to make progress as long as we are saying that cyclists can do anything they want, and the rest of the commuting population must toe the line. Every time a cyclist runs a stop sign or red light (I observe this every day) it gives me as a cyclist a bad rap, even though I stop for red lights, and slow to a crawl for every stop sign. Why do I obey the rules? Because some day it just might save my life. You irresponsible cyclists out there, it is time to grow up!
November 21, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
The side streets aren’t the problem, put bike lanes on every single arterial road immediately. If that means removing parking or a lane of traffic – do it. If there’s room to do it separated from cars, do it. It’s ridiculous that Bloor-Danforth-Kingston Rd. isn’t a bike highway all the way from Mississauga to Pickering yet.
Money isn’t the issue, political will is. If you don’t want Toronto to move forward, get out of the way.
November 21, 2009 at 6:01 pm |
I think if we looked at the car and made it more like the E- bike and build cars that follow the same attributes as the e-bike (scooter ), clean, green, does not go vary fast ,does not kill no one and maybe limited at the 20 miles an hour .
With the technology that we have today there is no reason why we could not build safety right in the vehicle . Fix it so that at the beginning, if a 10 year old cant drive that car then go back to the drawing board and build one or slow it down to 19 miles an hour or 18 miles an hour or…….until the speed and technology meet .
Then go high speed with rail and planes .
No more deaths ,no more injury ,no more pollution ,no more fines and vehicle criminalization ,no more cancer filled hospitals .
We had all this technology before we put man on the moon ,I don’t see the problem .
In a vehicle all we need is to be out of the elements , a warm bum and a clear view .
Once we slow everything down every thing gets easier and easier to accomplish ,the technology
Is already here .
I do not believe in increased fines for anyone . I do not believe that more enforcement fixes the problem.
More enforcement causes more congestion more danger and more plug-ups .
We need to fix the problem and right now the car as it stands is the problem .
Denis
November 21, 2009 at 7:40 pm |
I rode a bike for 40 years, my knees are finished, I’ve been hit by opened car doors more than a dozen times, I was even pushed over once from a pssenger leaning out the window. I’m 50 years old nowand I ride an e-bike. it’s a little larger, so I’m not as afraid of car doors, (door prize) it stops a lot faster than any bicycle I’ve ever owned, it automically locks, so it wont’ get stolen as easy, and I have a storage place to leave the helmut, so I always wear it, I rarely used my helmut tihthe bike becasue I would always have to carry it. The one thing I hate about my e-bike is the cyclists (plum smugglers) in their tight spandex. guys it’s not a competition to see who can go faster thatn me, and no I’m not cheating by using it! I’ve paid my dues with the pedals, i pay my taxes too, and I have a right to use the bike lane, just like you
November 21, 2009 at 10:52 pm |
There are many ways to improve cycling conditions in Toronto, but nothing is going to really happen until our attitudes change.
Why has cycling in Toronto become such a sticky media spectacle?
Why is public opinion for cycling is so divided?
Why are our political leaders afraid of supporting cycling?
What is needed more than anything is a strategy to sell people (voters, drivers, businesses) on the value of cycling.
November 23, 2009 at 6:59 pm |
Absolutely! EDUCATION & awareness will provide the greatest benefit at a relatively low cost. Drivers & Cyclists need to understand how the other is likely to perceive situational inputs in order to forecast the logical behaviour of the other.
Bikes, like pedestrians and motorized vehicles are going to flaunt laws. The question is not how to compell the other to obey,but what to logically expect from the other and learn to share roadways responsibly and equitably.
November 22, 2009 at 2:24 am |
We really need bike lanes wherever there’s a road 4 cars. Roads r called “arteries” of transportation. It’s a minimum. better even, to seperate bike lanes from cars by a curb, like in Amsterdam.
November 22, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
After many happy years cycling in the west end (a good 25 years), both alone and with my daughter on the back, on the extension and finally on her own bike, I moved to the east end. There is one cycling advantage I can see in the east end: you are not commuting into the sun.
The disadvantages, however, are legion. You are forced onto main roads, because only those go over the tracks. Scarborough people (present company excepted, I hope) seem never to have seen a bicycle or a pedestrian in their lives and view the east end as their personal high-speed corridor to their office jobs or Single Family Dwelling Units, discounting crosswalks and cyclists as unintelligible urban phenomena of unexplainable origin. And those who do ride their bikes seem to only be able to do it ON THE SIDEWALK! (I exaggerate for effect, of course, but the number of @#$% who ride on the sidewalks in the east end is absolutely appalling.)
[rant section ended, begin suggestions]
The train tracks that are the bane of east-end cyclists could have cycle paths on either side. There could also be a way to cross the tracks without cycling all the way from Vic Pk to Main, say.
Gerrard could be reduced to one lane of traffic for carbon-producers, leaving one for the streetcar and another for cyclists.
I REALLY like the one-way-for-cars-two-ways-for-bikes concept, and also the enforcement of no parking on bike lanes (EVEN if you own an SUV). I am also unable to express how strongly I support ticketing those above the age of 12 who choose to ride on the sidewalks, where old people, blind people, babies, dogs and otherwise at-risk people are endangered. If you are riding on the sidewalk because *you* feel threatened by cars, what recourse do these people have when they feel threated by you?
My knees are shot too, and I have been considering the electric bike (you try ferrying around a growing child and groceries for a decade or so, then come talk to me about how evil a bit of assistance would be on the Main Street hill, or even St. Clair for that matter!). I am holding out for the solar-recharging option, which must come one day…
Ah, Montreal! That BIXI concept rocks, totally. Bikes within a few metres of metro stations, you can pick them up at one place, drop them at the next — add a few electric bikes with solar recharging for us oldsters and and you have a very workable public transit adjunct. (Once the problem of the sheer danger posed by committing cycling in Toronto has been addressed, of course.) Montreal, too, has actual lanes where cycling is a viable option (meaning there is actually a high probability of your surviving trip, eh). And municipal bike mechanics. Now THAT is a cool city!
As a parent, I do not want my only child riding a bike in the city, and that is beyond sad. I grew up on a bike, I have never owned a car nor do I ever wish to. The argument that bikes are “seasonal” and therefore a waste of time does not hold water, either. Cycling year-round is only daunting if you have never tried it — summer is FAR worse than winter, if you have good boots and mitts and think more. If the overall cycling environment were made safer, I am sure that within a few years large numbers of people would be cycling through the winter. Days snow actually stays on the ground are few.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns,
DM
November 22, 2009 at 3:21 pm |
Dave, this is what I’ve been thinking – to separate bike lanes from cars by a curb. Bikes are too slow for cars, I am not sure why bike riders are considered the same as car drivers… Bike riders to not have belts and other safety features of a car, and completely helpless against those car drivers that are mean, agressive or irresponsible.
November 22, 2009 at 8:08 pm |
The police should enforce existing legislation that prohibits cyclists from riding on the sidewalk, and mandates that they have lights at night.
November 22, 2009 at 9:06 pm |
More bike lanes please!
November 22, 2009 at 9:34 pm |
This is a complex issue. In speaking with constituents There are valid perspectives from all sides. Pedestrians should feel safe on sidewalks. Cyclists should feel safe on roads. Unfortunately there are tensions and safety issues which push cyclists to the sidewalk, making pedestrians less safe.
Would you let your children ride their bike to school on any major street in Toronto?
I think that we really need to take a look at a complete street development plan that takes into account the needs of all users – creating safe places to move all Torontonians around. Safe is measured in safety for kids. The reason cyclists are on the sidewalks is because the streets (including bike lanes) are perceived as unsafe to many who end up on the sidewalk.
Bike Lanes, Bixis, and Conveying a simple message that Bikes are part of a transit strategy that reduces automobile congestion, improves air quality and costs very little for the tax payer is important. It is not Cars vs Bikes it is cheap transit (complete Streets – safe for all users) vs expensive transit (roads for cars and subways for transit). How do you want to spend your tax dollars?
You can spend my tax dollars in the most effieicnt and effective maner possible pelase:
Bikes, Transit, and Roads
Cheap, Costly and Expensive.
Clean, Efficient and Poluting.
November 22, 2009 at 11:38 pm |
Amusing to read the concerns of the car people. It’s like Copenhagen is on a different planet… Of course, Toronto is a special case.
November 23, 2009 at 9:56 am |
More bike lanes! Fewer cars. AND a safer method to get to and from the Financial district. Bay Street is congested and hazardous because of the number of drivers who continue to use the bus, taxis, bike lane because at some point in their journey they will be turning right. Put a bike lane on Yonge Street and reduce Yonge to two lanes.
And start actively ticketing cars that park / stop in the bike lanes because they have to run into the local convenience store, or they are picking someone up. THis including TAXIS who do this all the time!!! Start on Queens Quay at Bathurst — it is hideous enough that the number of buses and cabs sit around that ugly airport — but there are numerous taxis and cars sitting in the bike lanes there.
And where are there bicycles rings outside of CIBC or BMO or any of the other banks? More bicycle rings in this city. If there is no bicycle ring in front of your business, I am not buying anything there.
Cars that come into Toronto where there is a single occupant should pay a toll, if the occupant could use transit, car pool (more than 3), bicycle or walk to work your taxes should be higher.
November 23, 2009 at 11:57 am |
1- Let’s do what they do in Ottawa: EVERY new road that is created automatically has to have a bike lane. It’s now part of the system.
2- For existing roads, bike lanes must be created- it’s as simple as that. The car ‘owning’ the road and taking precendence is a thing of the past- it’s time has come and gone.
3- Ticket cyclist for not stopping for Streetcars; for going on the sidewalk (if you are a cyclist who feels afraid to be on the street, then get off your bike and walk); going through red lights. It makes us all look bad and we will not be taken seriously as a valid mode of transportation if we don’t respect the rules of the road.
4- Put in toll booths to enter Toronto and put that money towards the TTC and creating bike lanes.
Thank you
November 23, 2009 at 2:25 pm |
If we really want this city to be a cycling city, it has to be practical for commuters….people who do more that just go for a fun ride on the weekends. Polls have consistently confirmed that the biggest deterrent to bike riding in Toronto is fear. And for good reason. Toronto drivers are often aggressive, bike lanes are not safe, and there is still a long way to go to really attain a culture of “share the road”. My experience as a long-time bike commuter (about 25 years) is that car drivers are getting more aggressive, not less. In terms of infrastructure, why aren’t we following the lead of Montreal, New York and most of Europe, indeed many parts of the world, by putting a physical barrier between cyclists and cars? A white line does not do that. I am concerned that we are installing bike lanes, at a large cost, that are inadequate. Then we have to spend more money to change them. Can we not do this right from the get-go?
Re: traffic enforcement. We have a lot of creative minds in this city. Let’s figure this one out. The standard “what applies to cars applies to cyclists” doesn’t really work. One small example: The only reason that we have a stop sign at every corner of my street is because of the large exhaust-producing vehicles made of steel, who come barreling down from the Allen Expressway. These are weapons of mass destruction, on a community level. They need to be controlled. So when I come home from work every day on my pollution-free bike, I really don’t appreciate worrying about being caught rolling through all those stop signs! Other ideas: traffic lights that favour cyclists–the same kind of priority that TTC vehicles get today. For instance, the Belt-line trail. Why is it so inconvenient even dangerous, to cross Bathurst, Oriole Parkway, etc. another question: If we really have the right to take a car-space in a lane of traffic, why do I often get loud honking and sometimes yelling when I claim that space to turn left? After all these years, I have nerves of steel, but most riders wouldn’t take the chance.
All of these issues make it too inconvenient, if not downright scary for many people to contemplate regular cycling in this city.
November 24, 2009 at 3:16 pm |
‘practical for (bicycle) commuters’. I couldn’t agree more.
It seems to me that a cost-effective method of making cycling safer in the city is education with an aim of altering present attitudes. “Share the road’ is a start but akin to saying ‘Have a nice day’. Too general.
Corporate sponsership could be sought to purchase billboard space (credit acknowledgement to the corporate donor) reminding drivers of specifics: ‘Bikes turning left have the right to the entire lane’ for example.
For an investment in more paint, bike lanes on raodways could be double lined, (solid line on the road side, broken line on the curb side). This would indicate that the vehicle occupying the bike lane is legally allowed to cross into the (full-width) traffic lane. Many car drivers do not know this and the present paint scheme does not support it. Knowledge (to my mind) is key. Enforcement (of the Bay Street diamond lane for example) is imperative.
November 23, 2009 at 5:15 pm |
I love to ride my bike but it’s not practical for me to bike to work (it’s too far, there are no showers at work, I have some child care responsibilities after work for which i need a car, i don’t like riding my bike in the dark which is when i leave work, etc., etc.), and so I have to put in a voice for driving. I agree with Brian, above, who said,
“I am a cyclist, and a realist.
Bikes and cars do not mix well.Cars are not going to go away, unless the city dies.
Bikes, for the vast majority in Toronto, are fair weather vehicles, and always will be.
Bike lanes on major streets do more harm in the way of causing pollution by slowing traffic then they do to help commuting. Cyclists should discover the side streets of Toronto.
The right of a vocal minority should not be absolute.
November 23, 2009 at 9:22 pm |
The laws re cars blocking bike lanes need to be enforced.
I took a ride this morning from Sherbourne and Shuter to St George and Harbord – a trip of less than 2 km – using bike lanes all the way. I tallied the number of times I had to leave the bike lane because of parked veghicles. The grand total was 9! in less than 2Km!
Not only is it dangerous for the cyclist to have to leave the bike lane, but the City could sure use the ticket revenue to help fund the improvements to bike infrastructure.
November 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm |
I have already put my two cents in here but I wanted to mention that this morning at 8:30 am I rode past a truck parked in a bike lane on Harbord St. (one of the busiest bike lanes in the city). When I rode home at 5:30 pm, it was still there. 9 hours! A vehicle would never be allowed to block a car lane for that long (not even close). This points once again to the dire need for better enforcement wrt parking and stopping in bike lanes.
Also, one other quick comment, I noticed that someone here suggested that bike lanes slow down traffic and thus cause pollution – if you put every single person that is currently on a bike every day into a car, the pollution caused by that would far far far outweigh the amount of pollution that might be caused by the slowing of traffic due to bike lanes. Maybe we should increase the speed limit in school zones to 80km/hr – those darn kids are really slowing things down and causing a whole lot of pollution.
November 23, 2009 at 10:35 pm |
-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
-More “share the road” signs
November 24, 2009 at 12:10 pm |
- focus on connecting all of the segments of the current bike route network
- all new roads must include appropriate cycling infrastructure
- contra-flow allowances on ALL one-way streets to enhance connectivity
- revision of traffic laws (specifically examining the “Idaho-stop”)
- more enforcement of both cycling and auto infractions as-related to cycling with revenues going directly back into cycling infrastructure
- more incentives for businesses to provide secure bike parking and shower facilities (all new office tower developments MUST include this infrastructure)
- tackle the backlog of post&ring requests
November 24, 2009 at 4:23 pm |
All new construction must include parking with electrical outlets for personal electric vehicles (“ebikes”)
November 24, 2009 at 11:06 pm |
I took part in the round table discussion and was surprised most people felt we should license cyclists to help pay for more infrastructure.
We already pay through our property and income taxes without doing any damage, let’s not discourage people, encourage!
Any money raised wouldn’t pay for the extra layer of bureaucracy.
November 26, 2009 at 7:24 am |
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.
November 26, 2009 at 7:16 pm |
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.
November 27, 2009 at 11:49 am |
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.
December 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm |
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!