Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[DSCToronto]

Nice picture. Hate to break it to you, but the visible part of the ramp is only half of it. The other half will go from the switchback at the lefthand side back towards the green pedestrian bridge, in order to get down to the trail at ground level. So, opening around 2028 might be a wee bit ambitious.

I think not, the (already built, if not 100% finished) ramp runs from the pedestrian bridge linking Riverdale East with Riverdale West (the green pedestrian bridge) which is to right side of photo. The ramp is in addition to the stairs which remain. The ramp ends at 'trail level' on left side of (excellent) photo just at the (existing) Don River bridge.

 

[StreetcarRider]

I think not, the (already built, if not 100% finished) ramp runs from the pedestrian bridge linking Riverdale East with Riverdale West (the green pedestrian bridge) which is to right side of photo. The ramp is in addition to the stairs which remain. The ramp ends at 'trail level' on left side of (excellent) photo just at the (existing) Don River bridge.

Sorry folks but there’s a switchback that hasn’t been built yet.

Lower Don Trail Accessible Ramp

The new accessible ramp is part of Phase 2 of the Trail Improvements, which are based on the City of Toronto's Lower Don Trail Access, Environment + Art…

dtah.com

Lower Don River Trail Improvements

The Lower Don River Trail is undergoing improvements to upgrade accessibility, mitigate erosion and flooding from the Don River, resolve drainage issues and enhance overall trail connections.

www.toronto.ca

 

[hawc]

You're definitely right about the switchback, but the part where it ends now is only about four feet off the ground (just went and looked at it) so I don't think the switchback needs to come all the way back to the bridge unless they're making it a REALLY shallow incline.

 

[DSCToronto]

You're definitely right about the switchback, but the part where it ends now is only about four feet off the ground (just went and looked at it) so I don't think the switchback needs to come all the way back to the bridge unless they're making it a REALLY shallow incline.

Yes, you can see it is almost (but not quite) at grade from your excellent photo above. This is to prevent speeding and would be similar to several other such new structures, see this one on East Don Trail from @TwinHuey

 

[StreetcarRider]

You're definitely right about the switchback, but the part where it ends now is only about four feet off the ground (just went and looked at it) so I don't think the switchback needs to come all the way back to the bridge unless they're making it a REALLY shallow incline.

I guess we'll see how long the lower level will be.

The renderings make it look like the lower level of the ramp comes almost all the way back to the green bridge, and in any event, south of the crow's-nest-balcony-thing that is part of the upper level.

As for the incline, the ramp is meant to be wheelchair accessible. It will be as shallow as required for that use, and some level sections may also be required given how enormous this thing is.

This project can't be completed soon enough. Really hoping they can stick to the plan of opening this spring.

 

[hawc]

The ramp is meant to be wheelchair accessible.

I have never in my 40 years of riding ever seen a wheelchair on the Don Bike Trail. If I ever see one I'll take a picture and post it on this thread.

 

[DSCToronto]

Who'd have believed it! SEE: https://www.cp24.com/video/2026/03/...ed-for-vehicles-parked-in-bike-lanes-in-2025/

 

[StreetcarRider]

I have never in my 40 years of riding ever seen a wheelchair on the Don Bike Trail. If I ever see one I'll take a picture and post it on this thread.

It might interest you to know that wheelchair users have generated the Google Streetview content for the Lower Don trail, as well as other trails around Toronto like the Highland Creek trail in Scarborough. Just navigate to the trail on Google Streetview and rotate the viewer downward to see the person and the powerchair travelling along.

 

[hawc]

Very cool.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Given an upcoming virtual meeting on Monday for the Eglinton & Allen Intersection Study, my latest blog post provides an update on where things stand for eglintonTOday and includes an updated letter you can send to the City.

https://www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2026/03/march-2026-eglintontoday-update-and.html

You can read more about the Eglinton & Allen Traffic Study and register for the virtual public meeting on Monday at 6:30 PM here.

https://www.toronto.ca/community-pe...e-projects/eglinton-allen-intersection-study/

 

[DSCToronto]

I put this here because it is, I think, primarily a cycling improvement.

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.TE31.54

Recommendations​

The Deputy General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council authorize the installation of a mid-block pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East, at a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street (formerly the south intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Cherry Street).

2. In conjunction with the installation of a mid-block pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East, at a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street:

a. Toronto and East York Community Council prohibit northbound left turns at all times at Lake Shore Boulevard East and a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street (formerly the south intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Cherry Street).

Summary​

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Transportation Services is providing an update on plans to construct a multi-use trail connection along Lake Shore Boulevard East to close a gap in the Lake Shore Boulevard East Trail between Cherry Street and the Don River bridge, and seeking authority to install a necessary pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East.

This report also responds to City Council's request on November 12 and 13, 2025 for a report on public realm improvement plans along Lake Shore Boulevard East, between Carlaw Avenue and Leslie Street.

Financial Impact​

 

[generalcanada]

I put this here because it is, I think, primarily a cycling improvement.

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.TE31.54

Recommendations​

The Deputy General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council authorize the installation of a mid-block pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East, at a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street (formerly the south intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Cherry Street).

2. In conjunction with the installation of a mid-block pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East, at a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street:

a. Toronto and East York Community Council prohibit northbound left turns at all times at Lake Shore Boulevard East and a point 180 metres east of Cherry Street (formerly the south intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Cherry Street).

Summary​

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Transportation Services is providing an update on plans to construct a multi-use trail connection along Lake Shore Boulevard East to close a gap in the Lake Shore Boulevard East Trail between Cherry Street and the Don River bridge, and seeking authority to install a necessary pedestrian and cyclist traffic control signal on Lake Shore Boulevard East.

This report also responds to City Council's request on November 12 and 13, 2025 for a report on public realm improvement plans along Lake Shore Boulevard East, between Carlaw Avenue and Leslie Street.

Financial Impact​

 

[StreetcarRider]

Assuming the plan is to reactivate the old crossing near the old Cherry Street bridge, sure hope they demolish all the weird concrete islands and poles on the south side that made this crossing dangerous and inconvenient for cyclists and pedestrians. This infrastructure is unnecessary (no need to channel vehicle traffic around the old Cherry Street bridge anymore) and it's all supposed to be demolished in the long term anyway.. Some flat pavement and protective Jersey barriers would be nice on the south side.

 

[DSCToronto]

Assuming the plan is to reactivate the old crossing near the old Cherry Street bridge, sure hope they demolish all the weird concrete islands and poles on the south side that made this crossing dangerous and inconvenient for cyclists and pedestrians. This infrastructure is unnecessary (no need to channel vehicle traffic around the old Cherry Street bridge anymore) and it's all supposed to be demolished in the long term anyway.. Some flat pavement and protective Jersey barriers would be nice on the south side.

It will all be sorted out as the work on the extension of QQE and the work on Lake Shore from Cherry to the Don proceeds, whether they will spend too much on a temporary improvement (useful though they would be) is less clear.

 

[nfitz]

View attachment 723384

So how does all this cross the Don to get to East Harbour. They promised a pedestrian bridge - but surely it would be crazy to not include a cycle path.