Bloor Street West Bike Lanes

[vic]

Imagine if they could build up the new Bloor bike lanes at sidewalk level (but separated from sidewalk!) through the underpasses? Then they could have an easier access to the staircases.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Too bad the default urban speed limit is still 50 km/h. The city could save a lot of money on signs, if the default was changed from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. Would be of help to cyclists and pedestrians, both.

 

[smably]

To the south, the Perth re-alignment hasn't happened yet, so that access point doesn't exist. The one at MOCA is a gravel trail -- not exactly ideal for cycling -- and the access point next to it requires cycling through the parking lot for the building with the Drake Commissary and Henderson. At that point you're also making a significant detour to cut off a very short portion of Sterling, so most cyclists would probably just take Sterling to Dundas, but that section of Sterling has the loading dock for Nestle and the parking lot for their employees, which results in lots of traffic, including heavy trucks passing through. And speaking of heavy trucks, both the first two properties on the south-west corner of Perth and Bloor are planned for condo towers soon, as you mentioned, which will mean lots of heavy vehicles coming and going from that corner for a while.

Long term, they could build solid connections in both directions, but in the summer of 2020, probably not so much.

Metrolinx staff at a recent railpath meeting mentioned that they expect the connection from Perth south of the townhouse development to be open before the railpath closes for reconstruction at Bloor Station, i.e., early 2020, which be very helpful as a detour route.

 

[torontocolin]

Imagine if they could build up the new Bloor bike lanes at sidewalk level (but separated from sidewalk!) through the underpasses? Then they could have an easier access to the staircases.

That would be great. I am curious about what they will do at the Barrie and Kitchener line underpasses in general. It isn't necessary for the bike lanes to dip as far down as the car lanes, and it would be easier on cyclists if they didn't have to go as far back up. The Kitchener underpass is also particularly bad for flooding during bad storms which consistently chews up the road. That said, I suspect they'll just paint some lines and maybe add some bollards like they did where those lines cross Dupont.

Metrolinx staff at a recent railpath meeting mentioned that they expect the connection from Perth south of the townhouse development to be open before the railpath closes for reconstruction at Bloor Station, i.e., early 2020, which be very helpful as a detour route.

That would definitely help with the southern connection!

 

[W. K. Lis]

That would be great. I am curious about what they will do at the Barrie and Kitchener line underpasses in general. It isn't necessary for the bike lanes to dip as far down as the car lanes, and it would be easier on cyclists if they didn't have to go as far back up. The Kitchener underpass is also particularly bad for flooding during bad storms which consistently chews up the road. That said, I suspect they'll just paint some lines and maybe add some bollards like they did where those lines cross Dupont.



That would definitely help with the southern connection!

From Google, at this link.

This is the one just east of Dundas Street West, at the Bloor GO/UPX Station.

And this is the one just west of St. Helens Avenue.

If they could raise the bicycle lanes to be level with the sidewalk, it would be better. But will they?

 

[Towered]

From Google, at this link.

This is the one just east of Dundas Street West, at the Bloor GO/UPX Station.

View attachment 214874

And this is the one just west of St. Helens Avenue.

View attachment 214875

If they could raise the bicycle lanes to be level with the sidewalk, it would be better. But will they?

Of course they won't - you think this cheapass municipal government will actually spend extra money to ensure cyclist's safety?

 

[W. K. Lis]

Of course they won't - you think this cheapass municipal government will actually spend extra money to ensure cyclist's safety?

For the automobile, yes.

For pedestrians, no. For cyclists, no. For transit users, no.

 

[salsa]

If they could raise the bicycle lanes to be level with the sidewalk, it would be better. But will they?

You will find out at the next public meeting in January.

 

[W. K. Lis]

As part of the Davenport Diamond: Guideway & Greenway project (see link), it will include removal and reconstruction of new Bloor Street bridge.

There will be an
Public Open House

November 20 2019, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Casa de Madeira, 1621 Dupont Street
Registration is encouraged but not required.

Click below for the
Public Open House Boards

Since this would mean a rebuild on the railway bridge, it would be a good opportunity to include a RAISED bicycle lane and pedestrian sidewalk under the bridge.

 

[salsa]

As part of the Davenport Diamond: Guideway & Greenway project (see link), it will include removal and reconstruction of new Bloor Street bridge.

Since this would mean a rebuild on the railway bridge, it would be a good opportunity to include a RAISED bicycle lane and pedestrian sidewalk under the bridge.

You would probably have to discuss this with the appropriate city officials, who are currently designing the bike lane.

 

[W. K. Lis]

You would probably have to discuss this with the appropriate city officials, who are currently designing the bike lane.

Attack on two fronts. Metrolinx and the City of Toronto. If Metrolinx is rebuilding the bridge, they'll be in discussion with the city for road closures, abutments, widening, etc.. So have the city get Metrolinx to include the raising of the bicycle lanes to be more level.

From Google, at this link.

This is the one just east of Dundas Street West, at the Bloor GO/UPX Station.

just west of St. Helens Avenue.

View attachment 214875

If they could raise the bicycle lanes to be level with the sidewalk, it would be better. But will they?

Maybe get rid of the girders currently separating the sidewalks from the roadway and the girder in the middle of the road.

 

[salsa]

Information panels have been added to the project website, containing some interesting details and a few images of what the bike lanes will actually look like.

Link: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/8cca-BWBE_PDIE_InformationPanels_v18r.pdf

A reminder that there are two open houses coming up where you can learn more about the design and provide feedback to the team.

January 27th

• Date: Monday, January 27, 2020
• Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: St. Wenceslaus Church, 496 Gladstone Avenue

January 30th

• Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020
• Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West

 

[Northern Light]

Information panels have been added to the project website, containing some interesting details and a few images of what the bike lanes will actually look like.

Link: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/8cca-BWBE_PDIE_InformationPanels_v18r.pdf

A reminder that there are two open houses coming up where you can learn more about the design and provide feedback to the team.

January 27th

• Date: Monday, January 27, 2020
• Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: St. Wenceslaus Church, 496 Gladstone Avenue

January 30th

• Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020
• Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West

Excellent post, good info there.

35% of parking retained; I consider than a reasonable reduction.

Of course to meet demand, they will need to install pay and display on any side street that meets or is within 100m of Bloor Street, not sure they'll do that, but they should!

***

The turning restrictions will baffle a few folks and require meaningful education and enforcement.

***

The idea that you can't have planters unless there's a deal with a BIA is obnoxious, they're stuck in the mindset of annual flowers. They can plant perennial ground covers, ornamental grasses, or short, slow growing shrubs and City crews can do twice a year maintenance.

***

Finally, of course they're looking at August for implementation. Right near the end of the cycling season, with minimal chance to observe needed fixes before the first snowfall/end of construction season. Sigh.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Also another interesting tidbit: The city will be installing a protected intersection at St George and Bloor this year.

 

[salsa]

Also another interesting tidbit: The city will be installing a protected intersection at St George and Bloor this year.

I’m baffled as to why they are not doing one at the Spadina intersection as well, or anywhere along the extension (unless I’m mistaken).