1. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Is it Really Safe for Cyclists on the New Simcoe Street Underpass?

   

   As with most of my trips to new bike lanes in Toronto, I approached the new Simcoe Street underpass on a day when no one was around.

   Prior to completion, an article in the National Post from October, 2008, makes no mention of cyclists or bike lanes. But really, who is thinking about cycling at the beginning of winter? The article addresses the ability of condo residents to walk to work or quickly access trains using the underpass and, as councillor Adam Vaughan stated:

   “The biggest impediment to get people down to the waterfront is ... the [lack of] north-south connections, especially ones that are pedestrian-friendly,” Mr. Vaughan said. “It gives that possibility of accidentally ending up at the waterfront.”

   Now that construction is finished, the addition of bike lanes here provide another option aside from driving, walking or taking transit through this area.

   Read the rest here

   Have you been on the new bike lane on Simcoe Street? What do you think of this addition?

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

2. Angus
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I'd rather ride beside the cars than beside pedestrians who are less predictable.
   I'm sure pedestrians would rather have cyclists away from them as well.

   If cycling becomes more popular than driving, it will be possible to easily convert a car lane to a wider bike lane.

3. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I wouldn't propose cyclists and pedestrians sharing a common space under the bridge. I'd prefer to see a raised sidewalk for pedestrians, step down to a bike lane (the supports could work as a barrier), and then a barrier separating cyclists from car lanes.

   A major barrier to getting more cyclists on the road is safety. Bike lanes begin to address this, but they simply are not the only, nor best, solution.

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

4. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Apparently there was a ribbon cutting ceremony today (Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Car-Free Day) for an extension of the bike lane south of Bremney. I'll take photos this weekend when I'm in the area... but will the lanes by covered by tour buses? Let's see!

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

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