Bike lanes: Toronto council may expand downtown network

City's general manager of transportation services is recommending council approve pilot project of bike lanes and cycle tracks in the downtown core

TheStar.com
May 7, 2014
By Betsy Powell

Cyclists could be riding on a network of new separated cycle tracks and bike lanes in downtown Toronto as early as this summer if city council approves a pilot project being proposed by staff.

Next month, council will consider approving the installation of separated bike lanes - known as cycle tracks - on portions of Richmond and Adelaide Sts., while an environmental assessment is underway to make them permanent between Bathurst and Sherbourne Sts.

Council is also being asked to approve cycle tracks on Simcoe St., from Front St. W. to Queen St. W., as part of the pilot project, and on Peter St., between King and Queen St. W.

A cycle track has been installed on Sherbourne St., between Bloor and King Sts.

The city’s general manager of transportation services is proposing the pilot project as part of the department’s environmental assessment (EA) study.

“The pilot project will provide an opportunity to evaluate and adjust, if necessary, the preliminary preferred alignments,” a staff report says.

The proposed new cycle tracks would remain in operation until council votes on the recommendations contained in the completed EA report sometime next year.

“The implementation of these cycling facilities can be achieved within the existing pavement width; however, this will require the reallocation of road space, which will result in some traffic capacity reductions along these corridors,” says the report.

The report also recommends council approve the installation of yellow contra-flow bike lanes on several smaller streets that will connect to the pilot project. These allow cyclists to travel both directions on a street that is one-way for cars.

The estimated cost to implement the proposed bike lanes and cycle tracks is $390,000.

The pilot project will first be considered by the city’s public works committee at its meeting next Wednesday, before going to city council on June 10.