2010: a year of extremes for cycling

The city has saved me some trouble from having to do my own research by compiling all the things that they've done this last year. Before I reveal it all, let me list the things that I can remember about 2010:

• Ten years later survey by the City - The survey found that cycling has become more popular, confirming many of our thoughts. What we didn't realize was the bigger increase in the suburbs.
• bike corral at 215 Spadina - I made a point of parking my bike in the corral. It was a good feeling that I was respected enough to be given roomy parking in a space previously occupied by a private automobile.
• Big bike chain sign in Kensington. It's a nice touch that combines utility and branding for this entrance to Kensington Market. My gripe still remains that it is too far away from all the action. Most cyclists don't use it because it's not right in front of the places they frequent.
• Re-launch of the Ward Advocacy Program of the Toronto Cyclists Union. This was a defining moment - the room at the Brickworks was packed with 80+ people. It was not just a social event like other bike union events, but rather the energy of the room was focused on getting things done locally. We got lots of good ideas from the speakers, city planner Al Rezoski, Dale Duncan former assistant to Councillor Adam Vaughan, bike union founder Dave Meslin. Since then a few ward groups have formed, in particular Wards 18,19, and 20 have met and are now well on the way of making things happen locally.
• A new amalgamated zoning by-law came into effect. A few bike-friendlier elements have yet to make an impact: new buildings will be required to put in bike parking; developers can reduce their car parking in exchange for more bike parking - a major money saver; and required car parking for buildings has been reduced, particularly downtown. Thanks to the Toronto Cyclists Union and Alan Heisey for pushing some of these changes.
• The whole bike-riding pinko incident. I really liked Curbside Cycles response of offering a only mildly ironic pink bicycle to Don Cherry as a present. As of this week the bike is still waiting to be picked up and is sitting in the front window of the store. Did the whole name-calling backfire on Rob Ford?
• Rob Ford got elected. This will make for some interesting times. Almost everyone expects next to no bike lanes, but there will also be a lot of push back from cyclists and downtowners.
• BIXI Toronto was brought back from the dead. Last winter we found out that city staff had basically killed BIXI because of internal opposition. Once the information leaked out hundreds of bike union members sent letters to councillors and Mayor Miller, thus bringing it back in a smaller form. Despite the difficulty of selling it in smaller form and being required to sell 1000 memberships and get hundreds of thousands of dollars in sponsorships, it sounds like BIXI Toronto met its goals and will be launching in the Spring. If other cities with bike-sharing systems is any indication this could be a game changer.
• Bike boxes. A couple years after some unofficial bike boxes appeared on Harbord and Bathurst, the transportation staff finally got approval for bike boxes along Harbord. Even though they ended-up being half-ass version that aren't completely painted in with bright green and don't have a dedicated bike light for making left turns, this is still a underestimated benefit for cyclists. Imagine the bike boxes at Spadina and College, where the city plans to install them next. This chaotic intersection could end up much friendlier for cyclists when they can worry less about right hooks and bike rush hour. Some may say that bike boxes are just a distraction from bike lanes (namely, Mez and Hamish) but I say they are a big benefit and are much easier to get politically.
• A lot of work and time has been spent on expanding and improving the trails in the hydro corridors in Scarborough and North York's Finch hydro corridor. It's not on the radar of a lot of us cyclists (particularly downtown) but this will be a big addition once finished.
• Jarvis bike lanes. Notice that the controversy and complaints have died down to nothing. Just like the experts said, taking away the one car lane wasn't going to affect car traffic. Get over it, you doomsdayers.
• College sharrows. These are quite controversial since cars park right over them outside of rush hour. Do they provide any benefit? Or do they just encourage drivers to block bike infrastructure?
• Bloor Viaduct bike lane widening and sharrows. Everyone is happy about this and the drivers probably didn't even notice that their lanes got a little bit narrower (with the side effect that they driver slower). The sharrows at the DVP off ramp really help with that dangerous spot for cyclists in danger of getting the right hook.
• Still nothing done about any of the plans approved about two years ago in the forgotten West End. What about all that public consultation? Where are the contra-flow lanes on Argyle?

Of course, there are things that I just don't care enough about or that I've forgotten so now I turn it over to the Transportation Staff's official list, from the January Cyclometer. I'm going post a summary because I'm not certain that the link will be stable over the long term:

• Bikeway Network Progress. Approximately 43% of the Bikeway Network has been completed since the Bike Plan was adopted in 2001. A total of 430km of the recommended 1004km of bikeways have been completed as of December 31, 2010. [but only 1/4 of the bike lanes promised].
• 2010 On-Street Bikeway Network Installations. Jarvis Street bike lanes. Bloor Viaduct bike lane widening. Rathburn. Moore Avenue. Westhumber [where's that?] Lappin-Hallam [years after the unofficial sharrows]
• Bike boxes
• Dufferin Street Tunnel and bike lanes. [we need bike lanes under all underpasses in the city!]
• Multi-use Trail - Hydro corridors (see above). Bayview re-paving trails.
• State of Good Repair survey - we may see something come of this in the near future
• Some roads repaired, including Harbord and Davenport.
• Spadina - edge marking scrubbed but new on-street marking designed for cyclists will be installed in the Spring. [Sounds like they haven't settled on sharrows yet - what's up their sleeves?]
• Studies: Bicycle Cordon Count
• Events: Think Bike Workshops, Bike Awards, Coldest Day of the Year Ride, Bike Month
• And some other stuff - look it up on the link yourself.