Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[DSCToronto]

Well, we know now that even the raised-curb sections do not provide effective separation and safety, and are pretty much just an invitation to drivers to pull over there while they pick up their coffee/Uber passenger or make their delivery.

We have all learned more since 2015 or so when the Sherbrooke (Yes, SHERBOURNE!!) lanes were installed.

 

[ADRM]

The answer is accessibility.

The concrete curbs were seen as an impediment not only to those w/mobility aids/challenges, but to those trying to load/unload strollers w/children.

For clarity, the City was responding to negative feedback in relation to the above.

I thought this was the answer, but I think they've just created one problem in trying to solve another -- the Harbord lanes are great with the exception of those sections; literally every time I've ridden them since they were opened, I have had to navigate one or multiple cars parked in the bike lane in those sections. At risk of sounding cute, in trying to solve an accessibility problem in a way that creates a condition that is more likely to produce more people who have accessibility issues because they got hit by a damn car.

Surely there is a compromise position that reduces the length of those unprotected sections to be the width of a standard vehicle, with a corresponding designation as an accessible loading zone, no?

 

[UntitledCyclist]

Beats waiting 30+ years for the next roadway rebuild to come around.

Also, IMO, the shape makes them more effective than what Sherbourne is stuck with.

Yes and they have the "advantage" of occasionally impaling a car that for whatever reason drives up and onto the barrier. Just high enough to get most cars stuck!

 

[DSCToronto]

Just home from a short ride to The Spit and can report that the Martin Goodman from Cherry Beach to the bridge on Unwin is (well) fenced off and they seem to already have removed all (or most) of the asphalt. Since nothing had been done when I was there last on Saturday they are working amazingly fast. At this rate it will be done before their planned mid-November. The alternative route is to cycle on Unwin - which is quite the mess!

 

[Northern Light]

Ground Breaking today for the Brimely Rd. South Multi-use Trail down to Bluffer's Park.

TRCA Celebrates the Groundbreaking of the Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail

The new Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail will Improve safety and access to Bluffer's Park as the first phase of the Scarborough Waterfront Project.

trca.ca

Find the full news release over in the Scaborough Waterfront Project thread, here:

Scarborough Waterfront Project (?, ?, TRCA)

Wow, as someone who has spent most of my life in The Beach and The Bluffs, I too am excited to see this moving forward. Attached is from one of the original plans (I'm guessing it has not been posted elsewhere). I understand it may be more appropriate to post here...

urbantoronto.ca

 

[GameOnBrad]

Another reason this doesn't work. This is not the first time I've seen this when I've seen these used. I think, on this particular street, this is the sixth or seventh time I've seen this happen. Last time it was like this for two weeks.

 

[Northern Light]

Another reason this doesn't work. This is not the first time I've seen this when I've seen these used. I think, on this particular street, this is the sixth or seventh time I've seen this happen. Last time it was like this for two weeks.

View attachment 690092

Make sure to 311 it.

Also flag it to the Cycling unit. If its one or two particular sections, not 'all of Shuter'........ a case could be made for heavier duty infra.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

I recall Rathburn was mentioned in this thread earlier, but just found out from Jun's blog the public consultation date has been set for that project. It will be held on Thursday, October 30 (6:30 to 8:30 PM) at Etobicoke Olympium (590 Rathburn Road). The deadline to submit your feedback is Sunday, November 9.

Rathburn Road Bikeway and Safety Improvements

The City of Toronto is inviting residents to learn more and provide feedback on opportunities for cycling and road safety improvements on Rathburn Road from Melbert Road to The East Mall. The City is planning to resurface the road and replace substandard water services in 2027 providing an...

www.toronto.ca

Map of project study area

Bikeway design from Melbert to The West Mall (Phases 1 and 2)

Intersection at Rathburn and Melbert

 

[UntitledCyclist]

The answer is accessibility.

The concrete curbs were seen as an impediment not only to those w/mobility aids/challenges, but to those trying to load/unload strollers w/children.

For clarity, the City was responding to negative feedback in relation to the above.

I'm not sure I understand. Anywhere there is "normal" street parking it is almost always next to a curb, leading to the sidewalk.So anyone getting out of a car must step up to the sidewalk or make their way to the nearest curbcut. Why was the bike lane barrier curb different? Slightly higher I guess? Or having to step over something, then worry about bike traffic is too much?

One thing I never had on my bingo card going into this past decade, was that accessibility and cycling advocates would be at odds. Not across the board, but there are some very prominent accessibility folks who target bike lanes as a danger to them and anti-accessibility. I don't want to dismiss those claims, but you get Cars in High Park and Concerned Citizens of Toronto types making their spurious arguments and it starts to feel like it's just a chip they are playing that backs cyclists into a corner for appearing to not care about vulnerable and elderly people. I'm pretty sure this is far from the case for most of us!

 

[Midtown Hank]

One thing I never had on my bingo card going into this past decade, was that accessibility and cycling advocates would be at odds. Not across the board, but there are some very prominent accessibility folks who target bike lanes as a danger to them and anti-accessibility. I don't want to dismiss those claims, but you get Cars in High Park and Concerned Citizens of Toronto types making their spurious arguments and it starts to feel like it's just a chip they are playing that backs cyclists into a corner for appearing to not care about vulnerable and elderly people. I'm pretty sure this is far from the case for most of us!

From my perspective in assisting those with disabilities is not so much the danger aspect (although that can be real in some circumstances), but rather the accessibility issue. It is very difficult (anti-accessible) to unload someone in a wheelchair when bollards block the sidewalk. I know I have been reemed on here before for suggesting this, but this as an inconvenient truth and in a city that advocates for accessibility, it shouldn't be swept under the rug by cycling advocates. Yes, cycle tracks can be designed to alleviate this, but in many instances they are not.

 

[Northern Light]

Over in the Line 5 thread, I have linked to and posted much of a report on the next steps for the Eglinton/Allen intersection. Given its impact on the rollout of cycling infra. on Eglinton West, I thought I would link to that post here,
rather than replicate it in whole.

Eglinton Line 5 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx | Arcadis

Less than 10 years ago I was on a PCC car on Carlton. It was during rush hour, and I presumed they had a few old cars for when extra are needed. Or was I dreaming? They still have them. They just don't see any use right now because they're pole only and much of the track is converted to...

urbantoronto.ca

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Holy project overload, batman! Now we got Weston coming down the pipe!

While not a full on consultation like the others planned for this month, this project calls for a short bi-directional cycle track on Weston from Lanyard to Finch to provide a much needed connection between the Humber River Trail system and the cycle tracks along the Finch West LRT route. Other road safety improvements will be looked at from Finch to Steeles as part of road resurfacing. You can e-mail your comments to rachel.yanchyshyn@toronto.ca until Friday, October 31.

Weston Road Streetscape and Road Safety Improvements

Submit questions and comments about the proposed changes by October 31, 2025 to Rachel.Yanchyshyn@toronto.ca The City of Toronto is inviting residents and businesses to learn more about and provide feedback on proposed streetscape and road safety improvements along Weston Road from Steeles...

www.toronto.ca

Project Area (with proposed cycle track area marked in blue)

Street Plan from Lanyard to Finch (looking northbound)

 

[Northern Light]

Holy project overload, batman! Now we got Weston coming down the pipe!

I did mention something..... back on August 19th:

In due course, everyone will see what the City hopes to advance over the next few months and into spring 2026......

Look for several cycling consultations in the next 4-6 weeks. (at least 4, I think)

I promise some good news soon. (but maybe a bit more disappointment......which we will get past)

We've now exceeded that 4, I was aware there were more that were close, early September had me worried but now we're in a groove.

 

[Northern Light]

On the Weston Improvements:

I would really prefer to see the median deleted and the trees shifted to become a buffer between the cycle track and the traffic. I think that would make cycling much more pleasant from a safety perspective (real and perceived) and also aesthetically as well.

Otherwise its very supportable.

I like that the slip lane at Fenmar will come out in particular.

 

[Admiral Beez]

We have all learned more since 2015 or so when the Sherbrooke lanes were installed.

Did Sherbrooke finally get its bike lanes? I recall there was a lot of public pressure to get them.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/sherbrooke-street-bike-paths-montreal-1.4912677

Sherbrooke Street Bike Path

Piste cyclable sur la rue Sherbrooke

sherbrookebikepath.wordpress.com

Westmount Community (Montreal) | You may be interested in this information on the new proposed bike paths | Facebook

You may be interested in this information on the new proposed bike paths. Because this could affect you as residents or merchants of for example Sherbrooke Street and other like The Boulevard and...

www.facebook.com