Kipling and Islington TTC Station Revitalization

Hot on the heels of last week's West District Design Initiative public meeting, there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes to the Islington and Kipling transit stations.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Open house: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Presentation: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd (map)
More info here and here.

The main reasons for the revitalization of these stations are: 1) Free up the Islington Station lands for better re-development, 2) Move the Mississauga Transit terminal west from Islington to the new Kipling regional bus terminal, 3) Expand Kipling station into more of a regional bus terminal, and 4) Improve access to these stations for buses, kiss-n-riders, disabled people, etc.

Q: As a cyclist, why should I care?

Well, there are many reasons! The documentation online has a distinct lack of any mention of cycling amenities. Come to the meeting and tell Ward 5 Councillor Peter Milczyn, the TTC, Mississauga Transit, GO Transit, and the city planners that you want them to consider the following ideas (add your own too!):

Bike Plan at Kipling/Islington
• Implement the bike plan. Not only are these stations being re-designed, but the surrounding roads and land are being completely re-shaped. This is the perfect opportunity to implement these missing pieces. If you look at the Bike Plan map (right), you'll notice the whole area is mostly planned (dotted) lines, not implemented (solid) lines. I would love to see a bikeway installed on the hydro corridor leading north out of Kipling Station, even farther than what's shown in the Bike Plan.
• Bike access to transit stations. In addition to implementing the Bike Plan, all transit stations should be easily accessible to cyclists coming from all directions. This will encourage more cyclists to ride to the stations rather than driving or getting dropped off. This will help solve the kiss-n-ride congestion and parking issues around these stations.

Destroyed bikes at Islington

• Expand and improve bike parking. We need more secure places to lock up bikes around these stations. Install more post and ring racks in well-lit areas near the station entrances, create covered bike parking, install bike lockers, etc. Bike parking at these stations has been shameful in the past (see photo). It's not likely that cyclists will be allowed to bring their bikes on board TTC/GO during rush hour anytime soon, so secure parking is vital.
• Transit and active transportation priority. The Islington / Kipling / Six Points area is being redeveloped into what is essentially "downtown" Etobicoke. It will be very well serviced by transit (TTC, GO, Mississauga Transit). Pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users should be given priority when planning and implementing a city centre plan like this.

Even if you can't make it to the meeting, please contact Councillor Milczyn, the TTC, GO, and Mississauga Transit to let them know you want them to take cyclists into consideration when redesigning these stations.

Thanks to Transit Toronto for some of the info and links.