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The City of Toronto says it is working to make roads safer for Torontonians. Yesterday, the City released the staff report Cycling Network Plan: 2022 Cycling Infrastructure Installation which outlines recommendations to grow, connect, and renew eight areas in the city’s cycling network, in line with Council’s TransformTO Climate Action Strategy, and the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.
This year's new cycling infrastructure follows on the heels of the largest expansion of the bike network, which took place over the past three years. From 2019 to 2021, 65 kilometres of new bikeways were installed, in addition to the 47 kilometres of upgrades and enhancements to existing cycling routes that were made throughout the city.
The 2022 to 2024 projects will include cycling, pedestrian, and motor vehicle safety improvements that include protected bikeways, curb extensions, new sidewalk installations, new signals, dedicated turn lanes, and other adjustments to motor vehicle lanes.
“We are continuing to expand our cycling network plan and implement projects that take a complete street approach and include cycling, pedestrian, and motor vehicle safety improvements. Expanding the network even further, where it makes sense, will help more people get around our city safely,” said Mayor John Tory.
The report will be considered by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee next week on March 29, and recommends the installation of 10 kilometres of new bikeways and improvements on 5 kilometres of existing bikeways, where both design and consultation have already been completed.
The eight projects include:
Bartlett-Havelock-Gladstone Cycling Connections
This 3.5 km bikeway project in the West End includes design features focused on lowering motor vehicle travel speed, prioritizing people walking and cycling, and reducing local traffic infiltration. The project would expand the local cycling network and connect to existing bikeways on Davenport Road, Bloor Street, Havelock Street, Lindsey Avenue, Waterloo Avenue, and Argyle Street. An important aspect of this project is the desire to create a safe north-south cycling corridor parallel to Dufferin Street.
As part of the planned streetcar track replacement on College Street from Bathurst Street to Bay Street, Transportation Services is recommending several road safety and streetscape improvements including upgrading the existing bicycle lanes from Manning Avenue to Bay Street to uni-directional cycle tracks. Where possible, Transportation Services is also proposing to install raised crossings, planted bulb-outs and improved conditions for existing trees on the corridor.
Douro-Wellington Cycling Connections
Transportation Services recommends a bi-directional cycle track on the south side of Douro Street from King Street to Strachan Avenue, on the south side of Wellington Street from Strachan Avenue to Portland Street, and Spadina Avenue to Blue Jays Way, and on the north side of Wellington Street from Portland Street to Spadina Avenue. A bi-directional bikeway is proposed on Wellington Street because the street is too narrow to accommodate a physically separated uni-directional cycle track. While the traffic volumes on Wellington Street are within an acceptable range for painted bike lanes, there is a high demand for curb-side parking and loading in the area. This demand has led to issues with illegal stopping with the existing sections of bike lanes, which poses a danger to cyclists.
Knox Avenue Cycling Connections
Transportation Services is recommending the installation of a bidirectional cycle track on the west side of this East End street, to eliminate conflicts with the Canada Post driveways and service road. The sidewalk on the west side is proposed to be widened, along with new seating at the connection between the Lake Shore Boulevard East multi-use trail and new two way cycle track and sidewalk. The bi-directional cycle track on Knox Avenue south of Eastern Avenue would transition to the existing uni-directional bikeways on the north side through a signalized bike crossing on the south side of intersection.
Sentinel Road Safety Improvements
The existing bike lanes from Lamberton Boulevard to Dovehouse Avenue are proposed to be upgraded to cycle tracks and new cycle tracks extended from Dovehouse Avenue to Sheppard Avenue West. This project ner York University in North York also connects to the 2018 Downsview Cycling Connections project, which is currently under construction. Together, the new and proposed bikeway improvements will create a nearly 5km continuous bikeway connection between Downsview Park and Steeles Avenue West.
Sheppard Avenue-Willowdale Avenue Road Resurfacing Opportunities
Cycle tracks are proposed at either sidewalk or street level in various segments based on available space and existing conditions in the boulevard. The cycle tracks would be protected throughout: they would be separated from vehicle lanes with a fixed curb or raised concrete median, and separated from sidewalks with a curb or tactile unit pavers. The cycle tracks would discourage sidewalk cycling and increase the distance between the sidewalks and the curb lanes — presently as narrow as 0.2 metres — providing a more comfortable pedestrian experience along the corridor.
Steeles Avenue East Complete Street
Transportation Services recommends the installation of wider sidewalks and unidirectional raised cycle tracks in this stretch along the Scarborough/Markham boundary, while maintaining two motor vehicle travel lanes in each direction. The cycle tracks are proposed to travel alongside the roadway in the mid-block sections and be further set-back at intersections to create protected corners. The motor vehicle lanes would be narrowed to the City's lane width guidelines in order to improve safety and provide additional space for the sidewalks and cycle tracks. Asphalt will be replaced on Steeles Avenue East from Midland Avenue to Brimley Road. The westbound right-turn lane at Midland Avenue is proposed to be removed in order to improve the public realm.
Transportation Services is proposing a number of improvements including separated uni-directional raised cycle tracks, wider sidewalks, a new centre median, smart and coordinated signals, protected intersection features and truck aprons at intersections along this street in South Etobicoke. Two motor vehicle lanes in each direction will be maintained. Right-turn lanes at High Street are proposed to be removed in order to widen sidewalks. A raised median from Park Lawn Road to Stephen Drive with a break at Aldgate Avenue is also proposed due to a high concentration of left turn collisions that resulted in injury in this section of the corridor.
The projects are planned for installation sometime between 2022 and 2024.
What are your thoughts? You can get in on the conversation in our Cycling Infrastructure thread linked here, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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