We often talk about new cycling infrastructure and how it can transform communities by making riding a bike safer and more convenient. But sometimes, upgrades to already-existing bikeways can be just as impactful.
Several prominent bikeways have been upgraded around Toronto over the course of the summer of 2024. Let’s have a look at some of them.
University
The University Avenue cycle tracks, which were originally installed as part of the ActiveTO temporary cycling network, were upgraded over the summer. The lanes are now protected by a continuous concrete barrier from College to just south of Dundas.
(University Avenue looking south.)
Bloor West
The Bloor West cycle tracks between Spadina and Avenue were also upgraded to permanent, raised cycle tracks over the last year. This project also includes several public realm improvements including bioretention planters and a protected intersection at St. George and Bloor.
(Bloor near Avenue looking west.)
(The new protected intersection at Bloor and St. George.)
(Bloor and Bedford looking east.)
College
The painted bike lanes on College from Bay to Manning have now been upgraded to fully protected cycle tracks. The route features elevated sections from Manning to Spadina and at-grade sections with curbs from Spadina to Bay.
(College Street near Euclid looking west.)
(College Street near Bathurst looking east.)
(College Street near Bathurst looking west.)
Dundas East
The Dundas East lanes from Broadview to West Avenue and from Logan to Pape have been upgraded to better separate cyclists from traffic.
(The upgraded Dundas East cycle tracks.)
(Dundas East looking west near Pape.)
Ferrand Drive
Flemingdon Park’s cycling network received a major upgrade with a series of bike lanes that were installed on Ferrand Drive. These lanes have created local connections to existing infrastructure on St. Dennis Drive and Deauville Lane and the future Eglinton Crosstown Science Centre Station. They will provide a much-needed safety improvement in the neighbourhood. In recent years, the area has been particularly dangerous for vulnerable road users, with 10 collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians having occurred.
(A map of the Ferrand Drive project. Image: City of Toronto)
(Rochefort Drive looking east.)
(Ferrand Drive looking north.)
Avenue Road
Unidirectional, protected cycle tracks were installed on this busy, dangerous stretch of Avenue Road. The route is now a far safer connection from the Bloor cycle tracks to the bike lanes on Davenport.
(A map of the Avenue Road project. Image: City of Toronto)
(Avenue Road near Dupont looking south.)
(Avenue Road near Dupont looking south.)
Ontario Line Quick Build Lanes
On the east side of University Avenue, construction is in full swing for a future Ontario Line subway station at Queen and University. Instead of a chaotic and dangerous construction zone, a safe and creative solution has been implemented that provides dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Quick build lanes like these could be employed elsewhere as short/medium term solutions where there is need for improved cycling and pedestrian space like on Avenue Road north of Davenport.
(Quick build lanes on the east side of University.)
