Some Cycling Matters in Toronto + Your Input on Ontario’s Cycling Strategy Until Jan.29, 2013

This video presents “sherbourne cycle track November 2012”:

“The City of Toronto is upgrading a number of bicycle lanes to cycle tracks

Cycle Tracks help keep bicycles and motor vehicles separate

This is the first section completed, on Sherbourne Street, between Bloor Street East and Gerrard Street East

Although the riding surface in this section is complete, some paint and signage have not yet been installed“

View map of planned cycle tracks at http://goo.gl/maps/3zRjM

Some Cycling Matters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

Toronto Transportation Staff's images before construction: left image - proposed design North of Gerrard St.; right image - proposed design South of Gerrard St. — Toronto Transportation Staff’s images before construction: left image – proposed design North of Gerrard St.; right image – proposed design South of Gerrard St.

Downtown Cycle Tracks

Construction of the Sherbourne Cycle Track was substantially completed on December 14, 2012
- It’s Toronto’s first cycle track which is a lane for bicycles that is separated from motorized vehicle traffic
  - The new lane is located on Sherbourne Street between Bloor Street and King Street
- The Sherbourne cycle track has the following new features that distinguish it from the City’s painted bicycle lanes:
  1. Buses don’t stop in the cycle track
    - The cycle track is raised to sidewalk level at bus stops to provide accessible passenger loading
    - Cyclists are required to stop for passengers getting on or off buses
  2. Bike boxes have been provided to assist cyclists making left turns when connecting with east-west bicycle lanes on Shuter Street, Gerrard Street and Wellesley Street
  3. Parking next to the bicycle lane has been removed and parking lay-bys have been provided at six key locations to facilitate pickup/dropoff activity and commercial deliveries
    - Toronto City Council has adopted a Cycle Track Bylaw setting out the rules of operation for cycle tracks
      - bylaw provides for a $150 fine for stopping/parking in the cycle track
    - Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement has committed to a more rigorous enforcement campaign including towing vehicles which obstruct the cycle track
    - The only exemptions to the bylaw are the following three:
      1. Emergency services or police vehicles actively responding to an emergency
      2. Hydro and utility vehicles in the lawful performance of their duties
      3. Wheel Trans vehicles actively loading or unloading passengers
- Some of the signs and pavement markings are still to be completed
  - The solid green bike boxes will be installed in the spring because the green thermal plastic markings require warmer temperatures to install properly
- Toronto Transportation Staff will be launching a program to monitor and evaluate the Sherbourne design to inform future cycle track designs
  - Please submit your feedback about the Sherbourne Cycle Track to bikeplan@toronto.ca

This video presents “Bike Boxes”:

“The City of Toronto supports Cycling, as a sustainable mode of transportation, and we’re painting new markings at intersections, like this bike box to help drivers and cyclists share the road“

The Wellesley Cycle Track Report has been adopted by Council:
- The section between Parliament and Yonge Street is scheduled to be installed in the summer 2013
- The cycle tracks between Yonge and Queens Park Crescent West will be installed in 2014 when this section of Wellesley is fully reconstructed

City Staff has also been meeting with local area residents on Hoskin Ave. and Harbord Street for the cycle track being planned for this area.
- See a google map of cycle track project locations
- Or learn more about cycle tracks by reading Frequently Asked Questions

Over the next few years, Toronto is creating a 14-kilometre network of cycle tracks in the downtown area

Frequently asked questions and other information about cycle tracks are available at http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/network/downtownupgrades/

This video presents “CityPlace: Puente de Luz Bridge”:

“a walking tour of the Puente de Luz Bridge over the rail corridor from City Place to Portland St and Front St.“

New Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge Opens as the “Puente De Luz” Bridge

This name is Spanish for Bridge of Light

Pedestrians and cyclists now have a way to cross the tracks, linking Portland Street to Dan Leckie Way

It was designed by Chilean artist Francisco Gazitua and is costing $8 million to construct and install

Update on Bridge Construction in the Don Valley

The construction which has closed the connection between Lower Don Trail and Taylor Creek Ravine was recently completed, and this trail was opened

The walkway which connects the Lower Don, and Taylor Creek Ravine to the West Don Valley Trail will remain closed until spring 2013

Once construction is complete, the old wooden walkway will be replaced with a steel structure, complete with asphalt surface

Please click here to view the Don Valley Trail Bridge Construction Detour Routes map which illustrates this closure

Please click here for more updated reports on cycling infrastructure projects and associated programs.

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Your Input on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Cycling Strategy:

Ontario is seeking your input on how to encourage and improve cycling safety across the province because:

During the spring, summer and fall, about 630,000 Ontarians cycle on a daily basis

About two million Ontarians ride a bike at least once a week during spring, summer and fall

The Cycling Strategy aims to provide a policy framework that will:

Enhance cycling infrastructure in the province

Enhance cycling safety through education and legislation

Ensure relevancy through monitoring, researching and coordination

The Cycling Strategy is intended to replace the Ministry’s Bicycle Policy which was released in 1992:

Please click here to see the Ontario’s Cycling Strategy and to provide your input
- Comment Period: 60 days: submissions may be made between November 30, 2012 and January 29, 2013

Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Moves Forward on Cycling Strategy

November 30, 2012

McGuinty Government Improving Road Safety

Ontario is looking for public input on how to encourage and improve cycling safety across the province.

A draft cycling strategy has been released for public feedback until Jan. 29, 2013. It outlines potential improvements to cycling infrastructure, public education and legislation, including:

Creating a provincial cycling network to connect destinations and establish recreational cycling and tourism routes.
Supporting municipalities in the development of local cycling networks, including making cycling infrastructure eligible for funding under the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy.
Running public education campaigns with cycling safety partners such as Share the Road, the Canadian Automobile Association and EnviroCentre.
Updating the Driver’s Handbook to include better guidelines for cycling and sharing the road with other vehicles.
Providing cycling safety and bike maintenance information with any new bike sold.
Consulting with the public, cycling groups and municipalities on possible amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to support cycling.

Supporting cycling is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to enhance quality of life for Ontario families and ensure a strong, green economy for future.

QUICK FACTS

Between 1988 and 2009, cyclist fatalities were down 70 per cent and major injuries were down 64 per cent.
During the spring, summer and fall, about 630,000 Ontarians cycle on a daily basis.
About two million Ontarians ride a bike at least once a week during spring, summer and fall.

QUOTES

“We need your input to ensure Ontario has the right strategy in place to support and encourage safe cycling in the province. We will continue consultations on a made-in-Ontario strategy so that our roads remain the safest in North America. ”
— Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation

“An over-arching vision for safe cycling is a critical step forward for our province, and the Share the Road Cycling Coalition is pleased to see the government take this step. We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Chiarelli, officials in the Ministry of Transportation and indeed those across government to develop a robust strategy for Ontario. Public input is critical and we encourage all of our stakeholders across the province to participate in this important process. ”
— Eleanor McMahon, CEO and Founder, Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

“Ontario’s doctors are very pleased the McGuinty government has introduced a draft cycling strategy, which includes several recommendations that were released in the OMA’s policy paper, ‘Enhancing cycling safety in Ontario.’ The government’s strategy will create new opportunities for safer cycling through improved driver education and improvements to infrastructure that would move cyclists out of traffic where possible, and provide a safer environment on shared roads. ”
— Dr. Doug Weir, President, Ontario Medical Association

“The Ontario Draft Cycling Strategy is welcomed, given that many municipalities are looking at how to fit cycling safely into the mix. AMO looks forward to working with the Province to finalize a strategy that serves our communities’ transportation goals and safety needs. ”
— Russ Powers, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario