Bloor west community will benefit from expanded bike lanes: advocates

City council approved extension; community groups push for installation by 2020

Toronto.com
July 31, 2019
Rahul Gupta

Liza Lukashevsky wants to cycle, but she won’t even think of getting on her bike until much of Bloor Street West has protected lanes.

Lukashevsky is a strong supporter of expanding the existing bike lanes from their end point near Shaw Street, all the way to High Park. Westward expansion was endorsed by Toronto council last week as part of a crucial vote to revamp the city’s long term bike infrastructure plan, and a pilot project could be ready to commence as early as next summer.

Bike space separated from car traffic could serve as the catalyst for getting Lukashevsky out of her automobile and onto a bicycle, she hopes, but not until the lanes are a reality.

“I’m petrified now,” said Lukashevsky last week from her health food store Nuthouse, located at 1256 Bloor. “I would love to ride and bike, and my kids want to, but it’s too unsafe (without protected bike lanes).”

Lukashevsky, who was close friends with Jenna Morrison -- the Bloor West woman who was five months pregnant when she was struck and killed by a truck driver while cycling in 2011 -- was one of dozens of local stakeholders to sign an open letter of support for expanding the lanes west, by next summer. The letter was sent to Mayor John Tory and the rest of council ahead of last week’s vote.

Bells on Bloor, a community group which has continuously advocated for bike lanes, was behind the letter, which has drawn support from 110 community groups and local businesses, said group founder Albert Koehl.

Koehl and fellow cycling activists canvassed Bloor-area businesses and homes seeking support for the expansion. He says more businesses are eager to support the idea since the initial phase of the Bloor lanes, between Avenue Road and Shaw Street, was implemented as a pilot project in 2016. They were subsequently made permanent in 2017 after city staff found among other benefits, increases in customer visits to the area.

“The narrative that cyclists are not good for business, people don’t believe that any more,” said Koehl last week. “Businesses have seen and experienced benefits as a result of the Bloor pilot, and many of their employees are cyclists.”

Albert Koehl from Bells on Bloor leads commuting cyclists between parked cars and traffic on Bloor Street, west of Ossington Avenue

Meg Marshall, a manager for several BIAs representing Bloor West-area neighbourhoods, said they will take part in city-led consultations on how to build the lanes.

“It’s no longer about supporting or opposing the lanes, but ensuring the transition to them is seamless,” said Marshall. “There needs to be a 360-degree perspective so everyone’s views -- cyclists, business owners, residents -- are incorporated into the final design.”

Marshall also called for clear indications, suggesting a comprehensive education campaign or clearly worded street signs as examples, of what impacts an expansion would have on street parking and delivery loading areas.

“We’re going to work with the city,” said Marshall. “The lanes are coming so we want to make sure the design accommodates the business community’s needs.”

Nuthouse has already adjusted to the reality of more recent restrictions on storefront parking spaces, said Lukashevsky.

“I get 40-50 deliveries a month by truck and they can’t park in front of my store,” she said. “They’re used to finding another spot and bringing my supplies in on a dolly.

"There’s not one company which has said they don't deliver because of bike lanes.”

Construction began for the initial stretch of separated bike lanes on Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and Shaw Street in 2016. - Lisa Rainford/Metroland

While bike lane supporters are happy to see the city’s resolve to proceed on a Bloor expansion, Koehl cautions against declaring victory.

He points out there’s still need for extensive community consultations and design work preceding any city vote. If the lanes are not in place by 2021 at the latest, it could ensure the entire plan is reopened or cancelled outright, if anti-cycling voices find voice on council following the 2022 municipal election.

“The only bike lanes we will celebrate are the ones we’re riding on,” said Koehl.