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Since last year, a pilot project has seen separated bike lanes built on portions of Richmond, Adelaide and Simcoe Streets on the west side of Downtown Toronto. The lanes' functionality and viability are now being evaluated before a decision is made on whether the lanes will be made permanent. Initial reports and public feedback regarding the bike lanes has been positive, and members of the public have been vocal with their desire to have the lanes extended to the east.
Transportation Services is clearly taking the feedback to heart, and plans are now in the works to extend the Richmond and Adelaide bike lanes from their current end at Simcoe Street to a new eastern terminus at Parliament Street as part of the current pilot project. A detailed report will be presented to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and City Council this Summer, with construction proposed to begin after the conclusion of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. As part of the proposal, Transportation Services is pledging to maintain operation of the pilot project until a City Council decision is made on the lanes, targeted for submission in the third quarter of 2016.
The extensions would continue the design of the existing cycle lanes by converting the existing right side curb lanes on Richmond and Adelaide with the addition of painted buffers and flexible bollards. Existing driveways and transit stops would be accommodated by breaks in the lane, allowing for safe pick-up and drop-off of TTC passengers. Other methods of separation, including the use of planter boxes, are being investigated to add aesthetic value to the bike lanes while reducing the number of bollards required.
As is the case with the existing sections of bike lane, on-street parking, loading, and stopping would be forbidden on the right side of the road, though there would be exemptions for Wheel-Trans, TTC, emergency, and construction vehicles. Another exception to this rule is the stretch between York and Yonge Streets, which is the site of two "high demand courier delivery zones", used to facilitate the frequent truck deliveries to high-volume areas of the Financial District. Special pavement markings would help to guide cyclists around these areas.
We look forward to seeing the implementation of the planned extensions to Toronto's growing network of cycling infrastructure. Want to let us know what you think? Share your comments using the space provided at the bottom of this page.
