Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[Northern Light]

Report gong to the next Infrastructure and Environment Ctte on cycling routes along rail/hydro corridors.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-140496.pdf

It defies the intent of the motion made at council which was to aggressively pursue routes.

Instead, its a report on what's already being done with no real ambition to do any better; sigh.

That said there is a handy map I've included below which shows the current state of things, and some of what's planned/under construction (its missing some stuff too)

There's also the near-term planned City-Wide cycling routes (includes on-road)

 

[robmausser]

Report gong to the next Infrastructure and Environment Ctte on cycling routes along rail/hydro corridors.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-140496.pdf

It defies the intent of the motion made at council which to aggressively pursue routes.

Instead, its a report on what's already being done with no real ambition to do any better; sigh.

That said there is a handy map I've included below which shows the current state of things, and some of what's planned/under construction (its missing some stuff too)

View attachment 217510

There's also the near-term planned City-Wide cycling routes (includes on-road)

View attachment 217511

Thats unfortunate. Some things are missing from the map. For example phase 3 of the Don Valley East trail expansion is in "planning" connecting the two in progress parts. Also Metrolinx supposedly was going to add a bike path like the railpath to the Barrie Line where they were doing the Davenport Diamond grade separation, as a way to appease the locals. Perhaps thats been axed along with the art and other things that were planned by the penny pinching Cons.

The trouble with these rail/hydro/trail paths is that they are all under several jurisdictions so its hard to get a real sense of whats planned. And then also studies come along and show that the costs to do parts of the path are extremely expensive, requiring say, a tunnel under the 401 if you were to cut across it like was planned. The decision then is to usually modify the path to go onto the street and over an existing overpass etc. So you dont always get what was planned.

Here are 3 different maps by different timelines and areas of government to give an example of the differences in planning.

2012 Bikway Plan

2016 Bikeway plan

The Draft Trail Strategy for the GTA

 

[robmausser]

Another big factor to the success of "Bikeways" is to allow speed regulated ebikes on them. Currently ebikes are banned from all Toronto Multi-Use paths. Most people arent willing or physically able to bike the long distances that bikeways aim for. Allowing people to use ebikes will lead them to consider keeping the car at home.

We need to amend that ban, especially on the hydro corridors and the railpaths. I can perhaps understand the wanting to ban in the ravines, due to keeping them as walking nature paths, but you arent going to win that argument on a path next to the rail line, under hydro wires, etc.

 

[Northern Light]

Thats unfortunate. Some things are missing from the map. For example phase 3 of the Don Valley East trail expansion is in "planning" connecting the two in progress parts. Also Metrolinx supposedly was going to add a bike path like the railpath to the Barrie Line where they were doing the Davenport Diamond grade separation, as a way to appease the locals. Perhaps thats been axed along with the art and other things that were planned by the penny pinching Cons.

Barrie north of Bloor is still a go.

Barrie south of Bloor hasn't yet been fully analyzed for feasibility, but that should be this year or next, I think, its in the text of the report.

But yes, there are many omissions and some errors.

It very much feels like a staff report aimed at hushing Council and saying ' here's your report', into which they clearly put very little effort.

They even omitted/glossed over stuff they could brag about (Green Line along the CP Main line as an example); but that's being led by planning/parks; and the report comes from transportation............sigh.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Barrie north of Bloor is still a go.

Barrie south of Bloor hasn't yet been fully analyzed for feasibility, but that should be this year or next, I think, its in the text of the report.

But yes, there are many omissions and some errors.

It very much feels like a staff report aimed at hushing Council and saying ' here's your report', into which they clearly put very little effort.

They even omitted/glossed over stuff they could brag about (Green Line along the CP Main line as an example); but that's being led by planning/parks; and the report comes from transportation............sigh.

It's also missing the Highland Creek trail connection, despite it being under construction right now and being a fairly significant "missing link" traill.. Once it and the East Don is done, you will be able to bike from downtown to Durham Region on a dedicated off road trail network.

 

[salsa]

It's also missing the Highland Creek trail connection, despite it being under construction right now and being a fairly significant "missing link" traill.. Once it and the East Don is done, you will be able to bike from downtown to Durham Region on a dedicated off road trail network.

Is this what you are referring to?

PHOTO SHOOTS: UTSC opens trail to Scarborough's Highland Creek Valley

The University of Toronto Scarborough has opened a new 500-metre trail connecting the campus \

www.toronto.com

 

[innsertnamehere]

Is this what you are referring to?

PHOTO SHOOTS: UTSC opens trail to Scarborough's Highland Creek Valley

The University of Toronto Scarborough has opened a new 500-metre trail connecting the campus \

www.toronto.com

No, I'm referring to this

Upper Highland Creek Trail Connection and Access Improvements

We’re connecting Gatineau Trail with Morningside Park. New and resurfaced multi-use trails and pedestrian bridges will make the park more accessible for park users. The Pan Am Path is a multi-use recreational trail network that spans the City of Toronto. Most of Pan Am Path runs through river...

www.toronto.ca

 

[CityStay]

Zero Maintenance, Zero Vision.
Maybe they'll get plowed away.

Crushed bollards on Woodbine Ave. have cyclists fearing they’re next

Many of the bollards meant to protect cyclists on Woodbine Avenue have been knocked down by vehicles, writes Jack Lakey.

www.thestar.com

"Gim Ardal described the lanes on both sides of Woodbine, south of Danforth Avenue, as “in a woeful state,” adding that “many of the bollards have been knocked down and left to clutter the bike lanes, and this is before the season of the plow.
“I would understand if it was spring, but they’ve been like this for months,” said Ardal in an email. “Since the lanes went in the city has done zero maintenance or clearing.

“Bollards meant to protect cyclists are left in the lane to impede and imperil cyclists. If the city creates infrastructure meant to reach their target zero of cyclist deaths — it would sure be nice if (it was) more than lip service."

 

[W. K. Lis]

Are all road side bicycle lanes level with the roadway and NOT with the sidewalk? This is at the Runnymede Avenue railway underpass, between Dundas Street West and St. Clair Avenue West.

The current Runnymede railway underpasss was built in 1976. Do not make this mistake with any new bridges or underpasses involving bicycles lanes or paths. Obviously, this underpass was designed by someone who does not cycle.

While going downhill, is fine. If the cyclists don't build up enough inertia going down, they could get tiring going uphill on the other side.

 

[TossYourJacket]

It's almost like we want cyclists to be killed with the way we design this infrastructure.

 

[marcus_a_j]

Are all road side bicycle lanes level with the roadway and NOT with the sidewalk? This is at the Runnymede Avenue railway underpass, between Dundas Street West and St. Clair Avenue West.

View attachment 217584
The current Runnymede railway underpasss was built in 1976. Do not make this mistake with any new bridges or underpasses involving bicycles lanes or paths. Obviously, this underpass was designed by someone who does not cycle.

In the east end, Jones and Woodbine are like Runnymede. The bike lanes on Greenwood and Logan are level with the road, but so are the sidewalks.

 

[robmausser]

It's almost like we want cyclists to be killed with the way we design this infrastructure.

No its simply indifference and doing the cheapest thing possible.

 

[TossYourJacket]

No its simply indifference and doing the cheapest thing possible.

True. I guess the bigger problem is that the people in charge aren't placing enough value on people's lives (especially pedestrians and cyclists), because otherwise they'd realise the expense is justified.

 

[W. K. Lis]

True. I guess the bigger problem is that the people in charge aren't placing enough value on people's lives (especially pedestrians and cyclists), because otherwise they'd realise the expense is justified.

They just needed enough roadway space to plow the snow windrows onto.

 

[salsa]

I am quite underwhelmed with the newly rebuilt Bloor bike lanes. Check out this detailed twitter thread by Anton.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1200553712286085120