It's something every cyclist in the city knows already... but articles like this helps get the issue out to non-cyclists. :)
It's also good to see a mention of how the outer city needs some co-ordinated bikelane implementation, to encourage people to try their bikes.
City slow to install bike lane networkPaths on the city's outer edge are most lacking. Lanes planned for the downtown core have largely been installed, but the outer 416 is missing most of its promised lanes and trails. Lukasz Pawlowski, senior engineer for the infrastructure group, says making space for bikes usually means reducing parking and trimming turning lanes. It's more difficult to get council approval for street retrofitting on the outskirts.
"Trade-offs are contentious," says Pawlowski.
"Generally speaking, the councillors from the core tend to be more receptive. More of their constituents are pressing for bike infrastructure."
Councillor Adrian Heaps, chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee, agrees. "Cycling culture in Toronto kind of spirals out from the inner city core," he says. A 4.1-kilometre bike lane painted onto Brimorton Dr. in central Scarborough this summer is largely unused. Both bike lane opponents and cycling advocates say that proves downtown lanes should be a priority.
Bikers in the boroughs say it's not that simple. Right now, bike lanes in the outer 416 are disjointed bits and pieces that make trips longer, and inconvenience riders who need to stop at shops and offices. And although Heaps bikes to City Hall from his Scarborough constituency most days, he says a full commute is too long for most.
What's needed is more initiatives like the bike lockers that opened at Union Station in the spring, says Heaps, so even 905ers can bike at least part of the way.
Another project on the Bike Plan roster for next year is installing similar lockers at big subway stations such as Victoria Park and Kipling.
