Toronto considering 40 km of new bike lanes over 10 years
Posted September 18, 2015 1:53 pm.
Last Updated September 18, 2015 1:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city is considering adding nearly 41 kilometres of new bike lanes in the next 10 years.
Toronto city staff prepared a report for the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee that details the plan, including upgrades to nine kilometres of existing bike lanes. Councillors will discuss the report on Tuesday.
Among the proposals are studies on three major corridors, including Bloor, Yonge and Dupont streets.
The city is already conducting a feasibility study on Bloor-Dupont between Keele and Sherbourne streets. It will could also study two other corridors: Yonge between Finch and Sheppard avenues, along with a streetscape study; and Yonge between Bloor and Front streets, alongside a “Revitalizing Yonge” study.
City staff are also proposing a five-kilometre stretch of bike lanes on Bloor between Shaw Street and Avenue Road. A full list of the proposed lanes can be seen below:
The projected cost is $13.5 million, an increase of approximately $4 million than what was previous forecast.
Toronto currently has an 856-kilometre bike network, with 558.4 kilometres of on-street lanes and 297.4 off-road trails.
Toronto is already adding more bike lanes to the downtown core and commuters are excited, posting photos of the construction on social media. Cyclists are also showing why “bollards,” or any kind of physical separation from the street, is needed.
The Richmond Street lanes run from Parliament Street to York Street, and the Adelaide Street lanes run from Simcoe Street to Parliament. Both stretches of lanes will include flexible posts to separate lanes from the street.
Lanes are also being installed on both sides of Peter Street from King Street to Queen Street.
Both projects should be completed by the end of September, as long as the weather cooperates.
