Easing congestion by prioritizing active transportation
The discussion around traffic congestion and how to solve it in Toronto continues to dominate the public discourse and frustrate the city’s productivity. But while traffic and congestion is inconvenient and frustrating for people driving, when drivers block intersections or park illegally it can be scary and dangerous for people walking, rolling, and biking. Spadina Avenue is one of Toronto's busiest corridors that is serviced by a dedicated streetcar route. When this route was forced to close for repair, it was replaced by a temporary bus, which promptly joined the congested traffic lanes choked with single occupancy cars. City News sent three reporters out to test their commute times for people on the bus, walking and biking. (Not surprisingly, riding a bike easily won the day.)
For short trips and especially within a dense city like Toronto, the most efficient and affordable way to move people is by public transit, walking and biking. It is critically important to improve the reliability and connectivity along all transit corridors and accelerate the expansion of the cycling network. Thanks to a motion from Deputy Mayor Malik, City Council expedited the creation of a dedicated right of way for transit and cycling until such a time that the 510 Spadina streetcar is operational. Highlighting the interconnectedness of public transportation and biking, Cycle Toronto’s Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Alison Stewart, deputed virtually from the GO train, urging the Toronto and East York Community Council to ensure that the priority bus lane would be clearly marked for the use of cyclists. She also requested that once the 510 Streetcar is reinstated that the dedicated bus lane be turned into a permanent protected bikeway rather than just the sharrows that currently run along this busy arterial. While a shared bike-bus lane doesn’t meet the standard of “all ages and abilities” infrastructure, it’s nonetheless an improvement that at least ensures more confident cyclists won’t be penalized for trying to use the lane.
As we head into the back-to-school season, our streets will become even more congested than they have over the summer when parents opt to drive their children to school in cars. Labour Day is next weekend and City Council will be returning to regular meetings soon. The next Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) meets on September 27th and Cycle Toronto will be there seeking to advance the prioritization of moving and protecting vulnerable road users.
(A temporary bike-bus lane along Spadina Avenue.)
