Support Jarvis Street Bike Lanes

This came in from my good freind Marty, I though that I should pass it along...

As you may know, Jarvis Street is being re-designed from Bloor to Queen (see http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/). Incredibly, the city is not considering bike lanes on this very wide and fast road (currently 5 car lanes) because:
1) there already are lanes on Sherbourne
2) there isn't enough space for bike lanes, and
3) bike lanes aren't a part of their beautification objective.

However, the good news is that people attending last week's meeting applauded whenever bike lanes were suggested. And, we have it on good authority that members of the community have been calling for the addition of bike lanes instead of extra wide sidewalks since day one. (I personally think the road could be reduced to 3 lanes from five accommodating wide sidewalks, legal bike lanes and allowing much improved property access for vehicles).

According to the city planner, if transportation services got 50 messages from people demanding bike lanes then they'd have to reconsider. Please send a quick letter to Jarvis@toronto.ca. I would also cc Councillor Kyle Rae, Penelope Palmer Dan Egan, John Kelly and John Mendes -- maybe the Mayor, too! If you're on Facebook, the City has set up a page for discussion at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6949283325 For inspiration, I have pasted a letter below from Doug Lee.

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I would use bike lanes here. I presently avoid this street due to perceived danger and general ugliness. If the city is determined to widen sidewalks, perhaps bike lanes on the sidewalk could be considered as an alternative to the car portion of the street. Due to it's width, lack of storefront businesses and car parking as well as the present hostile pedestrian environment, this street would be ideal for experimentation. The fact that bike lanes exist nearby on Sherbourne should be irrelevant. After all there are car lanes on both Sherbourne and Jarvis. Why should cyclists who have to expend much more effort to take a detour be entitled to less facilities than motorists, especially since the city is allegedly trying to discourage auto use.

Thanks,
Doug Lee
Address.
EMail