General cycling issues (Is Toronto bike friendly?)

[Admiral Beez]

When Dundas was reconstructed we WERE following the idea of not removing car lanes, by not bother with any cycling infrastructure AT ALL.

I understand, but when Regent Park was being redeveloped the city was already expanding its cycle infrastructure. Dundas, at least to River St. could have been left as two lanes each way AND had separated bike lanes if the two city departments (TCHC and Transportation Services) had coordinated their efforts. It's these lost opportunities that are so frustrating.

 

[turbanplanner]

I understand, but when Regent Park was being redeveloped the city was already expanding its cycle infrastructure. Dundas, at least to River St. could have been left as two lanes each way AND had separated bike lanes if the two city departments (TCHC and Transportation Services) had coordinated their efforts. It's these lost opportunities that are so frustrating.

I don't get why the left and right hand never talk? Multiple bike lanes going up in Etobicoke but ZERO plans to add separation/protection for the existing ones!

 

[bearcat]

I don't get why the left and right hand never talk? Multiple bike lanes going up in Etobicoke but ZERO plans to add separation/protection for the existing ones!

Which multiple bike lanes in Etobicoke are your referring to?

Which existing bike lanes have ZERO plans to add separation to?

Just off the top of my head Jones from Queen to Dundas is planned to be upgraded from painted bike lanes with separation and protection for example. So it's not ZERO.

University was literally just upgraded, that's one Doug Ford wants to tear out.

Davenport has been getting upgraded from painted lanes with separation and protection over the last 2 years:

Bike Lane & Road Safety Upgrades on Davenport Road

The City of Toronto has moved forward with the installation of a number of cycling and pedestrian safety upgrades on Davenport Road between Dupont Street and Yonge Street in 2021, 2022 and now, in 2024. Davenport Road has become a key link in the City’s bikeway network, providing connections to...

www.toronto.ca

Actually there is a page for all of these projects: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...ing-infrastructure/cycling-upgrades-renewals/

These have all been discussed on Urban Toronto, so I'm not sure how you say there's ZERO plan to add protection and separation to the existing painted bike lanes.

P.S. Here is another upgrade: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...re/harbord-street-and-hoskin-avenue-upgrades/

Please try and be more informed before posting.

 

[bearcat]

I understand, but when Regent Park was being redeveloped the city was already expanding its cycle infrastructure. Dundas, at least to River St. could have been left as two lanes each way AND had separated bike lanes if the two city departments (TCHC and Transportation Services) had coordinated their efforts. It's these lost opportunities that are so frustrating.

I agree this would have been ideal, but given the context of the time separated bike lanes especially raised at sidewalk level were a crazy new idea. I believe Dundas there was reconstructed in 2013 or 2014, and the first separated bike lane in Toronto opened in 2013:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-officially-opens-sherbourne-street-bike-lanes-1.1401793

The planning for the redevelopment of Dundas in Reagent Park was probably done even earlier, when separated bike lanes were just crazy talk. Some of the new buildings there were starting to be built back in 2007 or even earlier, so in terms of the width of the right-of-way to fit everything, the ship might have already sailed by the time the road was redone.

If this was done in 2023 as opposed 2013 I would be in complete agreement with you. Especially as this is a streetcar route, there is in my opinion good justification for it to be 4 lanes wide.

 

[Northern Light]

Actually there is a page for all of these projects: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...ing-infrastructure/cycling-upgrades-renewals/

These have all been discussed on Urban Toronto, so I'm not sure how you say there's ZERO plan to add protection and separation to the existing painted bike lanes.

P.S. Here is another upgrade: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...re/harbord-street-and-hoskin-avenue-upgrades/

Please try and be more informed before posting.

Just to add to your list, Between now and 2030.......

Greenwood is planned for upgrade to full cycle tracks, so is Cosburn.

***

Specific to Etobicoke, Horner is planned for upgrade to Cycle Tracks, and so is Lakeshore.

 

[bearcat]

Just to add to your list, Between now and 2030.......

Greenwood is planned for upgrade to full cycle tracks, so is Cosburn.

***

Specific to Etobicoke, Horner is planned for upgrade to Cycle Tracks, and so is Lakeshore.

Hopefully Dawes Road one day as well, and perhaps add a Bike Share station at Dawes and Gower, would make it even more convenient to visit family there .

Perhaps there will be a Bike Share station at the library there as part of https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/renovations/dawes-road-branch-renovation.jsp .

 

[Northern Light]

Hopefully Dawes Road one day as well, and perhaps add a Bike Share station at Dawes and Gower, would make it even more convenient to visit family there .

Would love to see that; but it not likely on most of the road. The ROW is very tight, particularly existing curb to curb.

There might be 0.9M of play on most of the route. That could see partial separation on one side maybe. Or possibly enough space if we went to a bi-directional track on one side.

There's room in the ROW from ~Halsey to Crescent Town, and that would still require moving some curbs.

Elsewise....unless we're going to shave off people's front lawns...

****

More Bikeshare is feasible. I expect a new dock to go w/the Library redevelopment (not far from Gower).

I would love to see more, there is room in the Gower ROW or Dawes on approach to Gower (west side).

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Video of ambulance using bike lane to avoid traffic shows that premier is wrong about response time impact: advocate

Video has emerged of a Toronto ambulance being forced to use a bike lane to avoid downtown traffic, an incident one biking advocate says highlights the utility of the separated roadways at a time when their existence and expansion face uncertainty.

www.cp24.com

I'm not here to politick, just a little disgusted at the whole idea that Ford wants to rip out bike lanes thinking it's going to speed up traffic, when we have first responders using the bike lanes to bypass traffic in an emergency.

 

[turbanplanner]

Which multiple bike lanes in Etobicoke are your referring to?

Which existing bike lanes have ZERO plans to add separation to?

Just off the top of my head Jones from Queen to Dundas is planned to be upgraded from painted bike lanes with separation and protection for example. So it's not ZERO.

University was literally just upgraded, that's one Doug Ford wants to tear out.

Davenport has been getting upgraded from painted lanes with separation and protection over the last 2 years:

Bike Lane & Road Safety Upgrades on Davenport Road

The City of Toronto has moved forward with the installation of a number of cycling and pedestrian safety upgrades on Davenport Road between Dupont Street and Yonge Street in 2021, 2022 and now, in 2024. Davenport Road has become a key link in the City’s bikeway network, providing connections to...

www.toronto.ca

Actually there is a page for all of these projects: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...ing-infrastructure/cycling-upgrades-renewals/

These have all been discussed on Urban Toronto, so I'm not sure how you say there's ZERO plan to add protection and separation to the existing painted bike lanes.

P.S. Here is another upgrade: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...re/harbord-street-and-hoskin-avenue-upgrades/

Please try and be more informed before posting.

Look up royal york?

My "existing" comment was for Etobicoke not the city in general. It literally connects to the bloor street extension and it's been open for 15 years, despite the plans to add them to Kipling and islingotn there's no word on royal york which passes houses and connects to the subway. Some others (signed routes) are elder ave 30th street, the kingsway (north end) and a few others!

 

[bearcat]

Look up royal york?

My "existing" comment was for Etobicoke not the city in general. It literally connects to the bloor street extension and it's been open for 15 years, despite the plans to add them to Kipling and islingotn there's no word on royal york which passes houses and connects to the subway. Some others (signed routes) are elder ave 30th street, the kingsway (north end) and a few others!

My apologies, I genuinely did not understand you were talking about Etobicoke only as the post you were replying to was about Dundas bike lanes east of Yonge.

In the context of Etobicoke it does seem there are not as many planned upgrades of cycling infrastructure, I personally was not aware of any myself. Though above Northern Light mentioned Horner is planned for upgrade to cycle tracks, and so is Lakeshore in the future,.
I am aware of https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...-birmingham-street-kipling-ave-to-dwight-ave/ , though that was done in 2021 I think.

I am aware of the multiple existing bike lanes in Etobicoke including Royal York. I was asking which multiple bikes lanes going up now did you mean? I genuinely don't follow new bike lanes construction in Etobicoke closely, so I am hoping you can let me know what are the multiple bike lanes going up in Etobicoke that you meant?

 

[turbanplanner]

My apologies, I genuinely did not understand you were talking about Etobicoke only as the post you were replying to was about Dundas bike lanes east of Yonge.

In the context of Etobicoke it does seem there are not as many planned upgrades of cycling infrastructure, I personally was not aware of any myself. Though above Northern Light mentioned Horner is planned for upgrade to cycle tracks, and so is Lakeshore in the future,.
I am aware of https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...-birmingham-street-kipling-ave-to-dwight-ave/ , though that was done in 2021 I think.

I am aware of the multiple existing bike lanes in Etobicoke including Royal York. I was asking which multiple bikes lanes going up now did you mean? I genuinely don't follow new bike lanes construction in Etobicoke closely, so I am hoping you can let me know what are the multiple bike lanes going up in Etobicoke that you meant?

Sorry, I ramble too much and leave out context at times, recipe for disaster haha

 

[Andy_in_Toronto]

It came to my attention that the famous Crooked Cue restaurant wants also to hear from you. Feel free to leave your reviews:

Google review of The Crooked Cue by Andreas W.

âââââ "Alright, buckle up folks, because I just had the most ironic experience at The Crooked Cue in Etobicoke. Picture this: me with post-cycling sweat (because, you know, bike lanes), rolling right up to this bastion of anti-cycling sentiment. It was like a PETA member crashing a hot dog...

maps.app.goo.gl

Somebody wrote this:
“Alright, buckle up folks, because I just had the most ironic experience at The Crooked Cue in Etobicoke. Picture this: me with post-cycling sweat (because, you know, bike lanes), rolling right up to this bastion of anti-cycling sentiment. It was like a PETA member crashing a hot dog eating contest.

Now, the food? Surprisingly decent! I had the Greek corruption salad, and let's just say it was prepared with less care than the owner Sam Pappas has for Doug Ford.

The service? Well, let's just say they weren't exactly falling over themselves to cater to the cycling-loving crowd. Maybe they thought I was going to chain my bike to the bar?

But here's the kicker, folks. This place, this haven for those who think roads are paved with car exhaust and dreams of endless parking, actually has a pretty decent patio. A patio, I tell you! Perfect for... wait for it... people on bikes watching! You know, those people who might, just might, want to arrive on something other than four wheels. Maybe even... a bicycle?
It's like they're saying, "Come for the anti-bike rhetoric, stay for the prime viewing of the very people we're trying to keep off the roads." The irony, it burns!
So, should you go? Just make sure to wear your helmet. You know, for when the irony finally collapses in on itself.
(Five stars for unintentional comedic value. Two stars for the food. Zero stars for understanding basic urban planning.)”

 

[Coolibop]

^ Asking folks to down vote a restaurant (this is what I assume your posts intent) for its political takes is a bit like paying for positive reviews. Both disingenuous to the actual experience/atmosphere in what I understand to be a difficult market.

You're more than welcome not visiting the establishment or leaving honest review without your political take, but down voting because the owner doesn't like bike lanes doesn't help a thing.

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

And leave the cycle tracks all over Six Points orphaned for perpetuity. Brilliant move, Doug.

Only until Doug Ford is out of office, which will eventually happen. The Feds are going Conservative, and we all know what that means in Ontario politics.

 

[81-717]

^ Asking folks to down vote a restaurant (this is what I assume your posts intent) for its political takes is a bit like paying for positive reviews. Both disingenuous to the actual experience/atmosphere in what I understand to be a difficult market.

You're more than welcome not visiting the establishment or leaving honest review without your political take, but down voting because the owner doesn't like bike lanes doesn't help a thing.

Don't know about this particular establishment, but some "establishments" definitely deserve it.