Tragedy on Avenue Road not an Anomaly
Last Wednesday, Miguel Joshua Escanan’s young life was taken while riding his bike on Avenue Road, metres beyond the end of ActiveTO bike lanes (and where a speedway begins).
Action Alert: Write Public Works Now to Extend the Protected Bike Lanes on Richmond & Adelaide to Parliament!
Write Public Works by Tuesday June 16 at 4:30pm
Update: At the June 17th meeting of the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee, members of PWIC unanimously approved the proposal to extend the pilot Richmond Adelaide cycle tracks to Parliament. Special thanks to Chair Jaye Robinson for also moving a motion for a report back from City staff on extending separation on Simcoe, River and Shuter with a report back in Sept. Now onto City Council in July! Thanks to the nearly 200 people that wrote PWIC!
The protected bike lane pilot project on Richmond St and Adelaide St is an overwhelming success: but we’re not done yet!
If you build it, they will come. City staff report that cycling volumes on Adelaide increased almost 300% after the installation of the cycle tracks. What’s more, motor vehicle traffic times weren’t negatively impacted on Richmond St or Adelaide St since installation. 98% of cyclists and 64% of drivers strongly agree or agree that the cycle tracks should be made permanent.
The first phase of the pilot project brought protected bike lanes to Richmond St and Adelaide St between Bathurst St and University Ave, extending safe cycling options for Torontonians travelling by bicycle in the core. The next phase of the pilot would extend the protected bike lanes to Parliament St. The proposal includes gaps in the separation on Adelaide St next to First Canadian Place and Scotia Plaza for loading zones due to construction hoarding in the curb lane on the north side of the street. While we’re opposed to these gaps in the final project, we understand the limitations while construction is occupying the curb lane.
Cycle Toronto has worked hard over the past several years to bring protected bike lanes to Richmond and Adelaide St. In the midst of a lengthy Environmental Assessment study, we’re thrilled that City staff have continued their good work and brought a proposal forward to extend the cycle tracks to Parliament.
In addition to extending the Richmond Adelaide cycle tracks to Parliament, we’re asking Public Works & Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) to:
1) Connect the waterfront: upgrade Simcoe St between Front St and Queens Quay to protected bike lanes
The cycle tracks installed on Simcoe St between Queen St and Front St have been remarkably successful with more than 1,100 cyclists per weekday. We want to see separation installed on Simcoe St between Front St and Queens Quay to create one of Toronto's first protected on street connections to the Waterfront.
2) Connect the east end: upgrade Shuter St and River St to protected bike lanes
While the extension to Parliament fills a much needed gap in the network that will enable more people to ride safely in the downtown core, we're concerned about the ability of people further east in Ward 28, 30 and 32 to connect into Toronto's protected bikeway network.
Upgrading Shuter St and River St (to Dundas St E) to protected bike lanes would be an effective way to extend safe cycling options. We’d like to see this happen as soon as possible, but it makes sense to coordinate this with repaving schedules for both streets.
Action Requested: write members of PWIC asking that they
1) Extend the pilot project for protected bike lanes on Richmond & Adelaide to Parliament
2) Connect the waterfront: upgrade Simcoe St between Front St and Queens Quay to protected bike lanes and
3) Connect the east end: upgrade Shuter St and River St to protected bike lanes
Members of Public Works & Infrastructure Committee:
To: "PWIC" <[email protected]>, “Councillor Jaye Robinson” <[email protected]>, “Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon” <[email protected]>, “Councillor Anthony Perruzza” <[email protected]>, “Councillor Ron Moeser” <[email protected]>, “Councillor Chin Lee” <[email protected]>, “Councillor Stephen Holyday” <[email protected]>
Remember to cc [email protected]. Include PW6.12 in your subject line.
Creativity matters. Include your personal story. And consider including your mailing address; it carries more weight. Please write by Tuesday June 16 at 4:30 pm.
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