Results tagged “bikelanes”

We all know that columns in the National Post will, by virtue of the publication they're in, have a tendency to be contrary for the sake of contrariness. There's nothing wrong with contrariness: playing devil's advocate for an unpopular idea can stimulate public debate and give us real ideas for positive change.

Following a protracted day of heated debate over a plan that should really have been a no-brainer, City Council wisely passed the measure that would remove the reversible centre lane of traffic on Jarvis Street (one which should never have been added in the first place) in return for a four-kilometre stretch of curbside bike lane. Opponents complained that not many cyclists use Jarvis Street and it was therefore unfair to add a few minutes to Rosedale commuters' travel time; proponents say that the street operates like a downtown highway, and that the unusually narrow lanes are a deathtrap for cyclists—and therefore a deterrent. Drivers gripe that people on bikes are aggressive; cyclists answer that eighty kilos of pugnacity is no match for 2,000 kilograms of steel. And so on, and so on. The acrimony between cyclists and automobilists may have yet to be assuaged, but even kids in kindergarten learn the importance of sharing.

"Uh, I'm gonna hold that one up," said Councillor Bill Saundercook, raising his hand to put a hold on item 21 at last Wednesday's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting. The report in question was "2008 Bikeway Network Program – Phase 5 Installation of Bicycle Lanes [PDF]," and it's likely that committee chair Glenn De Baeremaeker tensed up in the split-second before Saundercook, with perfect comic timing, dropped his punch line: "Just kidding."

City Council finally voted on the vexed question of Annette Street cycling infrastructure, and after a fairly easy-going discussion approved full bike lanes in a 20-11 vote. Councillor Saundercook's bid to delay implementation of the bike lanes in favour of the lower-impact (and less safe) sharrows for two years failed. Councillor Heaps, chair of the Cycling Committee, introduced the motion which restored city staffers' original recommendation for full bike lanes, and was strongly supported by Councillors Perks and Giambrone. The 209 citizens who wrote in to council, every single one of them in favour of bike lanes rather than sharrows, and the cycling advocates that have tirelessly made their case to the community, deserve equal billing for bringing this one home.

Photo by Dylan Passmore from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

For the last few weeks of the summer, Torontoist is investigating ideas that we could benefit from pillaging from others. Last week we looked at Madrid's integration of public libraries and public transit, as well as their insistence on keeping a more humane schedule for workers. This week, we'll examine Amsterdam's method of accommodating—and legitimizing—different modes of transportation within their small city grid.

When the City of Toronto issued a press release last week detailing its TTC strike contingency plans, cyclists quickly noticed that alongside the proposals for parking restrictions and pleas for employers to allow workers to use staggered schedules, "cycling" and "bikes" were mentioned exactly zero times. Spacing Toronto's Adam Chaleff-Freudenthaler reported yesterday:

Jarvis Street, circa 1910. (City of Toronto Archives)

A line of high-fiving cyclists paraded along the city's newest bike lane Monday morning. Then, without warning, a gust of wind tangled the whole thing, nearly sending every set of pedals flying.

One day, if bicyclists and the groups that represent them like TaketheTooker get their wish, a bike lane spanning the length of Bloor and Danforth Streets might be a reality. Until then, Rick Conroy's masterful manipulation, above, will have to do.

Every weekday, Torontoist is facing off local memes and blog drama in a tournament-style ladder and you, the reader, decide the outcome. View the full ladder here. Today's matches, Region III + IV, Quarterfinals:

501 Queen streetcar vs. The Environment
Kensington Market vs. Bike Lanes

Every weekday, Torontoist is facing off local memes and blog drama in a tournament-style ladder and you, the reader, decide the outcome. View the full ladder here. Today's matches, Region III + IV, Quarterfinals:

The Annex vs. Bike Lanes
Taste of the Danforth vs. Kensington Market
The Environment vs. IllegalSigns.ca
Lower Bay vs. Queen streetcar

Every weekday, Torontoist is facing off local memes and blog drama in a tournament-style ladder and you, the reader, decide the outcome. View the full ladder here. Some highlights: ROM Crystal's sharp edges cut Miller's Hair (104 - 101): In the closest and most depressing match of the tournament so far, a napkin sketch gone wild shears the mayor's golden locks from atop his head. The late game upset may qualify for a recount on suspicions of steroid use, yes? Toronto Islands sink The Beaches (95 - 91): The ultimate NIMBY showdown sees the neighbourhood with an identity crisis get denied like a cross-harbour bridge. Today's matches, Region III + IV, 3rd Round:

The Annex vs. Island Airport
Leafs Fans vs. Bike Lanes
Taste of the Danforth vs. Turnitin.com
Nuit Blanche vs. Kensington Market
Congestion Charge vs. The Environment
Dufferin Grove vs. IllegalSigns.ca
Lower Bay vs. IKEA North York
Spadina North Station vs. 501 Queen Streetcar

Each weekday for the next two weeks, Torontoist is facing off local memes and blog drama in a tournament-style ladder and you, the reader, decide the outcome. View the full ladder here. Some highlights from Saturday's matches: 416 trounces 905 (95-12): In perhaps the most dramatic victory of the evening, the Toronto area code showed up the surrounding suburbs in a true show of telecommunications muscle. Miller's Hair buries Zombie Walks (59-47): The closest match, with the mayor's seemingly flawless haircut against the undead, Miller's golden wave came out on top. Only time will tell whether it can compete against the major league Layton's mustache. Today's matches, Region II, 1st Round:

The Annex vs. Skunks
Island Airport vs. Belinda Stronach
Leafs Fans vs. The Club District
Rob Ford vs. Bike Lanes
Street Meat vs. Taste of the Danforth
Turnitin.com vs. Jane Pitfield
Nuit Blanche vs. TIFF
Crack vs. Kensington Market