Bike lanes get broad support from merchants and customers in the Bloor West and Annex neighbourhoods along Bloor Street. According to the recent study by the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation and Clean Air Partnership, 62% of Annex visitors prefer a bike lane, and 58% of Bloor West visitors prefer either a wider sidewalk or bike lane.
Meanwhile the City will be soon choosing who will be conducting an environmental assessment for a Bloor Danforth bike lane. The Globe makes it seem that this is a new decision but the plan to do an EA started a while ago. The request for proposals for the EA study went out already in January. The ball got rolling on this long ago but the media has make it seem like a shocker.
And speaking of shockers, mayoral candidate Rocco "No bike lanes in my city" Rossi, still opposes the very idea of a bike lane on Bloor, stating "Bloor-Danforth is as major an arterial as you can get, from one end to the other. I think it would be a disaster."
An earthquake in Haiti is a disaster, Rossi. Someone ramming and killing a cyclist on Bloor is a disaster. Cyclists aren't going to disappear just because you want them to. A bike lane on Bloor simply means the cyclists who are going to be on that road anyway are going to be given just a bit more breathing room.
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, a cycling fanatic who chairs the Public Works committee, said he is not worried that council's political complexion could change dramatically enough after the election to halt a bikeway on one of Toronto's most important east-west thoroughfares.
"The Bloor-Danforth route will happen, from the East end to the West end ... And we will all survive," he said. "It is not as radical, I think, as some people would try to pretend it is. We're not trying to declare war on anybody."
Apparently you're a "fanatic" if you happen to bike to work. No one says "He's a automobile fanatic" just because someone commutes by car.
Comments
dngm (not verified)
Bike lanes, not just for bikes, but for cars!
Thu, 03/18/2010 - 11:55The persuasive argument should be that it gives cars more room if there are bike lanes, because we'll now be out of their way.
Personally, I would prefer a "car lane on Bloor" campaign. You know, give them their own space on the road.
dances_with_traffic (not verified)
I somehow read that "surprising" piece
Thu, 03/18/2010 - 13:37Media writers are just a bunch of gossip columnists. Everything is shocking and surprising and scandalous...nobody is an expert or qualified in the field. What a frivolous joke those people must feel they are.
I think there was even a "clever" allusion to the war on cars/bikes at the end... rolls eyes
p.s.I don't consider the authors here as such, since they are out there biking t.o. and do have relevant knowledge.
AnnieD
Careful what you ask for
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 09:37dngm, a "car lane on Bloor" campaign sends the message that bikes would not be allowed in the "car" lane. Bike lanes fill up with puttering Sunday rider types so many cyclists prefer to ride in the "car" lane even when there's a bike lane on the road. It's fine to say that a bike lane will keep "most" cyclists out of the way, but I wouldn't want a campaign that suggests that no cyclist will be using the other lanes. Wide bike lanes that allow fast cyclists to pass the slower cyclists would be nice...
hamish (not verified)
unreported bad news with EA seems averted
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 18:58There was a very strong likelihood that whichever consultant was going to get the task was being clearly instructed by the City to AVOID looking at bike lanes as a solution between Ave. Rd. and Christie, part of the fall-out from the Bloor Visioning Process which didn't really see bikes. After a bit of fussing it seems that Councillor Vaughan's office is now working towards correcting the omission and it is/was curious that the part of Bloor in question is coincidental with his ward ie. Ave. Rd. over to Christie are the boundaries.
anthony
Don't call Rossi a "right winger"
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:48It seems Rocco Rossi doesn't like the term "right winger" being applied to him.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/782894--don-t...
Whatever.
Perhaps he has a very different idea of arterial roads are than the rest of us. But in most of the communities that exist in this city, often the only way to get to them is on road designated as arterials. In some cases, the only way to get through the community is on arterials.
But just as importantly, the arterials are where many destinations are actually located; certainly retail, but also doctors offices, employers, often schools, community centres and libraries are located on arterials.
Which makes me wonder: Just what kind of "cyclist" is Rossi that he doesn't want to be able to get to these destinations [safely] by bike?
Rossi cannot be a utilitarian cyclist. He must be a recreational rider, the kind of cyclist that goes out for weekend putters around the neighbourhood for 'fitness,' or as a mere pastime. Any one who rides a bike as a means of transportation would not cut off people [or themselves] from such valuable connections to other communities, nor would they cut others [or themselves] from the many worthwhile destinations within these communities. The only rational or logical explanation is that Rossi doesn't use a bike as a means of transportation.
But this is Politics; neither ration nor logic has nothing to with politics.
4 Season Cyclist (not verified)
Rossi right of centre by his own description
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:40That's OK. It's just a label. I'm pretty right wing too. Also a dyed-in-the-wool libertarian if that helps someone pigeon hole me. It doesn't say much about whether I think there should or should not be bike lanes on Bloor - Danforth.
How about no bike lanes on Bloor - Danforth? Paint sharrows right down the centre of the right lane. Lots of signage and public education reminding motorists they must share the road safely with 'vulnerable road users', including acknowledging the right to the left lane in order to pass or prepare for a left turn (we have this with or without bike lanes). Sanctions up to and including lifetime driving bans for those who resort to physical intimidation with a deadly weapon to keep legitimate road users off 'their' road (emotional maturity should be a requirement for licensing). Reduce and enforce speed limits to safe levels for the mix of legitimate traffic. Some motorists won't cooperate? 40kph. Really what's the hardship? Ticket motorists and cyclists with equanimity.
Cyclists already have the right to travel vehicularly on arterial roads. They have the right to take an entire lane if they judge it's best for their safety. Arguing there should be no bike lanes because it's 'too dangerous for cyclists to be on those roads' or 'causes congestion' is ignoring the fact cyclists are already there, the current HTA, the strong direction society is moving, and the responsibilities that have always (supposedly) gone along with being licensed to operate a motor vehicle in a public space.
Municipalities can restrict specific roads to cyclists. However if a route is prohibited to non-motorized traffic it must be redundant to some other practical route allowing travel between the same points. Otherwise the authority of the state to restrict the privilege of operating a motor vehicle starts to conflict with the right to travel.
If someone doesn't like to share the road with cyclists they can just stay on the controlled access highways. Sort of the motorist's equivalent to bike paths. The route doesn't start at home, doesn't often go just where you're going, but at least only motor vehicles are allowed. You can tow your car to the nearest 400 series highway behind a team of clydesdales, go for your little recreational drive, then tow it home again. If that's not an acceptable option you can use percherons or belgians. ;-)
Seymore Bikes
Open Invitaion
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 22:23Who is going to invite the contrite Mayoral Candidates for the Group Commute Ride that kicks off Bike Month? If Rocco Rossi is a "cyclist" then he should be right at home in the public spotlight on the morning on May 31.
Seymore Bikes
Open Invitaion
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 22:24Who is going to invite the contrite Mayoral Candidates for the Group Commute Ride that kicks off Bike Month? If Rocco Rossi is a "cyclist" then he should be right at home in the public spotlight on the morning on May 31.
Greg Heller (not verified)
Rocco is not "Right Wing"
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 13:05Herb ...you need to get your facts correct before you start spouting off. First of all Rocco is not "right wing". He is a centrist that supports fiscal responsibility. Secondly, Rocco supports bike lanes, but as was pointed out by Anthony, he does not believe that they belong on major roads. As an avid cyclist, I would love to see more bike lanes. However, we need to determine where the best streets are for them. If we place them on busy arterial roads, where traffic will be slowed down and congested, we are going to create drivers with Road Rage ...i don't know about you, but I don't like driving with pissed off car drivers. Finally, someone did not "ram and kill" a cyclist on Bloor St. The so called "cyclist" was drunk and tried to strangle Michael Bryant. It was unfortunate that he was killed, but his actions tainted all of the good cyclists on the streets of Toronto.
If we want to win over both the politicians and citizens of Toronto, it will be easier to do with well thought out arguments and facts. This is not a war between cars and bikes, cycling is taking over the city and we have many converts, however there are still thousands of cars on the streets and there has to be a happy medium. Let's think before we speak (or write) so that our words are not used against us.
4 Season Cyclist (not verified)
Getting your facts straight?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:54Mr Sheppard may not have shown an even disposition after being assaulted but I haven't read any suggestion until your post that he was trying to strangle Mr Bryant. We'll all have to wait for the evidence of course. However if you're not just an apologist for the motorist in this case you might want to look at some of the video (on the web) leading up to Mr Sheppard hanging onto the side of Mr Bryant's car in an apparent attempt to prevent his assailant from leaving the scene.
http://bryantwatch.wordpress.com/2010/03/
"Video evidence shows Bryant deliberately rammed his car into Sheppard from behind before attempting to flee the scene of the attack. Sheppard grabbed on to his car and Bryant fled with Sheppard attached.
"Witnesses then say that Bryant sped away at about 90 km/hr on the wrong side of the road. He mounted the curb and intentionally drove into obstacles to knock Sheppard off his car. Sheppard died from the resulting multiple collisions."
Mr Sheppard may have been trying to reach the keys, may have been grabbing the steering wheel, but only one person had his foot on the accelerator.
herb
Rossi doesn't care about the needs of cyclists
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:19By any popular political metric, Rossi is right wing. But that might be beside the point, because there are bound to be right wing cyclists who also think Rossi is full of shit when it comes to cycling.
You and Rossi make it appear as if no one had ever really thought about bike lanes. ("Oh, Rossi, I never really thought about it that way! Maybe I shouldn't have ridden my bike on College all those years! I will sin no more.") It's very clear that Rossi, and yourself, haven't bothered to consult, or don't take seriously, the transportation planning experts who've been going around the world looking at the best practices, coming up with a Bike Plan and implementing it. No indeed, let's take Rossi's word on the subject over the transportation experts. After all, he's a self-described "cyclist".
We don't need a debate on this issue because Rossi hasn't done his homework, hasn't presented any evidence, and hasn't come forward with any well-thought out arguments.
The fact is: it is impossible to create a bikeway network for Toronto without using arterial roads. There are simply not enough continuous side streets. And even if there were (which there aren't) cyclists want to be on main streets, and they will continue to be on main streets, whether or not a bike lane is there.
I challenge you to create an alternative bike route (like the ones I've done) that can replace an existing well-used arterial route such as College or Bloor. I'm willing to bet that you'd have to bend the rules of physics in order to come up with a quick and direct alternative route that won't extend a cyclist's commute time by 3 times or more.
(Greg, you seem like a nice enough guy from your blog. You bike a lot; you just moved from Oakville. Perhaps you just don't understand the needs of urban cyclists. Maybe you should just take a gander at a Toronto bike map first before you jump on the "bike lanes only on side streets" bandwagon. That wagon never had wheels to begin with.)
anthony
Ban the term "avid cyclist, " use better words
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 17:11See
http://psystenance.com/2010/03/22/down-with-avid-cyclists/
and
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/03/down-with-avid-cyclists.html
I've noticed that people who happen to ride a bike for transportation never, ever, use that term to describe themselves, nor do they let other people describe them that way. They also don't use the term "cycling enthusiast." However, I will note that I've met a few of the people I've met who happen collect bikes have used the term "bike enthusiast" to describe themselves whether they actually rode the bikes or not.
On the other hand, I've noticed that hobbyist riders, that is fair-weather weekend riders and racers, seem to be the only ones to use that term.
I can think of no other activity where the adjective "avid" is used to describe the people who partake in that activity.
On the flip-side, I've heard many great expressions used by cycling advocates to describe themselves (and each other), and has included such wonderful and fantastic words like: adventurous, agile, ardent, arousing, brave, burning, bustling, crusty, daring, driving, dynamic, eager, effective, effective, efficacious, electric, energetic, energizing, enthusiastic, exciting, exertive, exuberant, fanatical, fanatical, fearless, flowing, full of life, gritty, gutsy, high-powered, high-spirited, impassioned, influential, intense, intent, keen, nervy, obsessed, passionate, potent, pushy, rabid, rousing, spirited, stirring, strong, successful, tenacious, tough, unabashed, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, vehement, vibrant, vivacious, and zealous. I have found that the people who are involved in cycling advocacy to be the most interesting group of people I've ever had the pleasure to know. When such amazing words, like the ones I've listed, are used to describe them, how could they not be?
Tom Flaherty
Thinking is Fun
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:18Well done Greg, spoken like a true blue Rocco Rossi supporter. Do you know why there is no “Centrist” party in politics? Because, it allows candidates to skate all over the political map, but that may seem attractive to someone who lacks any of his own ideas.
Rossi can’t be for Bike Lanes and against them at the same time. The fact is Bike Lanes don't work effectively unless they are part of a larger Network, and sorry but that includes the odd arterial road. But you can incite misguided public fervor by pissing all over the proposed Jarvis lanes right?
Rossi has come out against the expansion of Public Transit because of the problems associated with the St. Clair project. He has come out against city Unions because of peoples frustration with the TTC and Garbage Collectors. Again, these concepts are all about criticizing others as opposed to putting your own plans on the table.
And don't get me started on the selling off of Public Corps. - that's right out of the Conservative playbook.
These seem like pretty “right wing” ideas to me Greg, but maybe I’m confused. Either way, if your looking for “facts”, Rossi’s platform is void of them; I guess all that pandering takes up a lot of political real estate.
Seymore Bikes
How to dismantle a Greg using Facts instead of Opinions
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:00Greg,
How could you be so wrong?
Allow me to make the following corrections to your post:
1. Cyclists use arterial roads as a means of direct travel just like cars. Most side streets don’t really need Bike Lanes due to their traffic volume, but Bike Lanes on arterial roads greatly improve the safety for the many cyclists that use them.
2. Bikes don't cause road congestion, cars and other large automobiles do. You should also consider that 80% of all cars in rush hour have a single occupant and take up about 10 times the space that a cyclist does.
3. Michael Bryant killed Al Sheppard - notice how I left out the 'labels' Greg? I'll let the video and eye witness accounts stand as suitable evidence before I stoop to pass judgment on something I was not witness to, and I strongly suggest you do the same.
I find it shameful that you would accuse another of "spouting off" with incorrect facts, then offer false and seemingly biased misinformation to support your points Greg; but I'm not sure they are really your points, perhaps they are simply the poorly conceived notions of the man you rushed to defend.