http://player.vimeo.com/video/22886687
On first view cycle tracks (separated bike lanes) seem to be just about cyclists, but in New York and elsewhere it's been found to provide great benefits to pedestrians and to street life. They help create islands of refuge for pedestrians crossing wide roads; they provide a barrier between pedestrians and car traffic and they get all ages, young and old onto bikes and other mobility devices (like wheelchairs).
For Toronto, the proposal to build cycle tracks downtown would help provide this well-rounded benefit. From NOW:
“Many cities are implementing this type of separated infrastructure, and they’re seeing really great result in terms of safety for all road users,” says Andrea Garcia, director of advocacy and operations at TCU. “It creates these low-stress bikeways that encourage folks who are on the fence about cycling to pick up a bike and start using it. It’s not the first time [separated bike lanes] have been proposed, but it’s the first time they’ve really been championed in this way.”
Comments
W. K. Lis
This film would be a horror
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 06:50This film would be a horror film for the Ford brothers and his clique.
Larry (not verified)
I would hope that the Fords
Fri, 05/20/2011 - 01:22I would hope that the Fords could tell from this film that this kind of thing could work here and that it does not kill business or aggravate congestion.
Mr. S. (not verified)
I'd be happy with no
Fri, 05/20/2011 - 08:52I'd be happy with no infrastructure, and the cops and courts doing their jobs on the real threats to life and limb: ash-hats in cars. Works here in Tokyo (half the injury and death rates, with far worse traffic).
Random cyclist (not verified)
Fantastic video. Dream of
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 23:41Fantastic video. Dream of having goodies like this in Toronto someday!
Keep pressuring those politicians and keep biking!
Seymore Bikes
NYC has developed and created
Fri, 05/20/2011 - 22:54NYC has developed and created so much cycling infrastructure in the last 5 years that it serves as a model for other cities to follow.
Joe R. (not verified)
Cycle tracks are the only
Mon, 05/23/2011 - 04:28Cycle tracks are the only segregated bike lanes I care for because passing remains possible and they're great for one way streets.
hamish (not verified)
Judging by the width of the
Tue, 05/24/2011 - 11:58Judging by the width of the street in the first frame, only Richmond/Adelaide of the four being proposed actually match road conditions in NYC and elsewhere. Surely road width is a big factor in figgering out where to put these?
mgiles100
A very informative video.
Tue, 05/24/2011 - 12:26A very informative video. Perhaps this could be adopted in the not too distant future in our fine city; everyone "sharing the space", pedestrians, cyclists and cars. What a concept...
Tejvan (not verified)
In Oxford there are so many
Wed, 05/25/2011 - 11:12In Oxford there are so many different kinds of cycle lanes, some work well, others are not good. This is useful video for practical lanes which make real difference
Clark Nikolai (not verified)
hamish: Surely road width
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 02:22hamish:
> Surely road width is a big factor in figgering out where to put these?
Sometimes. It depends on if there are other options for cars. If there are (usually are) then you can have them give up a lane. They'll gripe for awhile but if you do it right they won't be truely inconvenienced much.
Another important factor is the grade when going up a hill. This will be a factor in a lane being used. Here in Vancouver there is Ontario Street which is an official bike street but many people instead use Quebec Street one block over because the slope is more gradual. It would have been better to choose Quebec street in the first place at least for part of that route.
I think that any good thing that is being worked on nowadays needs to prepare for schlock radio/tabloid "journalism" attacks. Eventually they do get bored of you and move on to other things to create drama and controversy but you need to be able to survive that time. Also you need to watch out for political opportunists who may not have any platform but just want power and look around for a juicy controversy to attach themselves to.
The last time I was in Toronto I was impressed by how potentially perfect a city it is for biking in. Much of downtown is relatively small and flat. You just need to make some lanes. A few major separated lanes and then regular lanes on calmed streets connecting to them.