Bike plan

I'm sure there's some interest out there on this. Any great ideas?

Call for submissions - Deadline November 5, 2008

Call for submissions (PDF)

It should have been easy.

The construction season is fast coming to a close. And as many of these construction projects end, the bike lanes are being put down. Just today I noticed that bike lanes have been installed on Royal York between Manitoba and Cavell; just the road markings and signage is missing. South Kingsway/Queensway Interchange (SKQI) is nearing completion and then bike lanes can be installed there, too. The same with the contra-flow lane on Stanley, and many other projects around the city.

The next scheduled Public Works and Infrastructure commitee meeting on Friday October 10th at 9:30am. The agenda is available. The only bike lane on this agenda is the Annette Street bike lanes.

We know cyclists' lives are considered cheap. Jonathan Goldsbie in the Eye Weekly's "Kill a cyclist, pay $110", explains well cyclists' frustration and anger that their lives are worth little once they step onto a bike. And, to add insult to injury we pay $110 if we don't have a bell. Where is the proportion in that?

Only since Metrolinx started calling for secure indoor bike parking at all "Mobility Hubs" has the city and the TTC have finally gotten the message that cyclists would like safe and secure bike parking at subways stations. The fact that it's been in the bike plan for years, and that the entrances to the subways stations are littered with bikes locked to every available surface just wasn't getting the message across well enough for them. So allow me to pass on my thanks to Metrolinx.

At the last Public Works and Infrastructure meeting, Councillor De Baeremaeker asked to make a part-time bike lane. We found out at the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee (TCAC) meeting that he had backed off of this idea, and we will be getting a full-time bike lane. But I thought it was in interesting idea that is worth considering.

Last night at the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee meeting a motion was floored to create an Ontario Cycling Advisory Committee. But it was killed by the very person who brought it forward, and yours truly.

The rationale for killing it? Guests who invite themselves for dinner are not often made to feel truly welcome.

Today Metrolinx is unveiling its official plans for the regional transportation policy. Cycling is featured within these plans. But we need to go farther, much farther.

On Monday, I went to the public consultation meeting for the Bike Plan implementation in Ward 25 (Don Valley West).

Lawrence and Mt Pleasant Public Meeting

Location Correction: The meeting is at 2 Strathgowan Crescent (at the corner with Blythwood)