Tell Councillor Nunziata That Bike Lanes Belong in Weston

In the Council-approved 2022-2024 Cycling Network Plan, Trethewey Drive in Ward 5 York South-Weston was identified as a key route for new cycling infrastructure. Unfortunately, the project has been carried forward to the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan, an unfortunate concession that means it’s not likely to be implemented until 2025 at the earliest.

The Trethewey bikeways and Complete Street will connect to the Weston Cycling Connections, which is currently under construction on Sam Frustaglio Drive, Wright Avenue, and Pine Street. It will also connect to the recently-approved Eglinton complete street and future Eglinton LRT.

(A map of the project area. Image: City of Toronto)

If implemented, this would provide a safe cycling route in Weston and a critical cycling connection to the city’s cycling network.

The city is proposing this project to meet the following city priorities:

1. Road safety (Vision Zero Road Safety Plan)

a. Trethewey is composed of excessively wide traffic lanes that encourage speeding paired with curves to the roadway that are blind spots, and dangerous intersections with long crossings for pedestrians and high volume of turning vehicles

b. 85% of people driving exceed the posted speed limit along Trethewey Drive south of Black Creek Dr to Eglinton Ave West.

c. The last ten years there have been 1330 collisions, 11 of which resulted in serious injuries and 4 deaths: 3 pedestrians and 1 cyclist.

2. Transit and mobility for the current condition and the future which includes significant development - it is important to give people transportation options that don’t rely on single car usage

a. Providing rapid bus service and raised transit stops

b. Adding Bike Share Stations (and e-bikes)

c. Bike lanes for cycling safety AND pedestrian safety (adding additional buffer between vehicular traffic and widening sidewalks) 

3. Improve public realm and curbside lane

a. Reduce under utilized on-street parking for adding loading zones, planters and patios

4. Support city policies and plans: TransformTO (climate mitigation), Public Health (improve mental and physical health by adopting active transportation), Reduce congestion and CO2 emissions, Equity and affordability (car ownership is linked to personal debt - average car loan is $29K and annual maintenance ranges from $10K +