Results tagged “publicworksandinfrastructurecommittee”

With rights come responsibilities. That was the refrain, over and over and over again, from councillors who spoke at the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee yesterday in favour of a motion by Michael Walker (Ward 22) to develop a cyclist licensing program. According to Walker, "licensing would provide for more effective enforcement of the applicable laws and clarify collision situations" [PDF]. Though the debate was largely framed as stemming from concern about cyclists' well-being (given that cycling does come with dangers, said several, it is incumbent upon the City to do its level best to mitigate those risks through a programme of education and regulation), underlying it was palpable anger and frustration on the part of at least some councillors with regards to how cyclists comport themselves on our city's streets. "Licensing is a barrier to entry," protested Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union, and we got the impression that that was exactly the point.

Score one for the cycling community. After an intense and late-breaking campaign, and with a crucial assist from Councillor Kyle Rae, bicycle advocates have successfully introduced bike lanes into a major redevelopment plan for Jarvis Street. Yesterday afternoon the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) voted to remove the centre, reversible-direction lane of traffic, and use the freed-up space to install bicycle lanes in both directions from Bloor to Queen.

At the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) meeting this morning, councillors debated the Roncesvalles revitalization project that has been under discussion in that community for the last while. (By some counts, the conversation has lasted at least five years.) The proposal calls for curb bump-outs and transit platforms, in the form of sidewalk extensions, at several points along the avenue. Though the environmental assessment of the streetscape plan has been a matter of some controversy within the community it was unanimously endorsed in today's vote, with all four members of PWIC present at the time (Councillors Carroll, Giambrone, Palacio, and Perks) speaking in its favour.

"To create an urban environment in all parts of the city that encourages and supports walking," states Toronto's Pedestrian Charter, the City "upholds the right of pedestrians of all ages and abilities to safe, convenient, direct and comfortable walking conditions" and also "provides and maintains infrastructure that gives pedestrians safe and convenient passage while walking along and crossing streets."