Ward 14 is a cycling community. Whether for getting around the City every day or enjoying our parks, valleys and waterfront—pedal power is the way to go.
More and more residents are choosing to cycle to get to and from work, but the City is not keeping up with the demand when it comes to installing cycling infrastructure and expanding or even maintaining the bike lane network. I am working with my colleagues on Council and advocacy groups like Ward 14 Bikes and Cycle Toronto to advance the cycling agenda at City Hall.
Destination Danforth
Danforth Avenue from Broadview Avenue to Dawes Road has been temporarily transformed in order to better support local businesses, provide safe mobility options for all road users and enable people to maintain physical distancing. Installation began in July 2020.
Changes include streetscape improvements (painted curb extensions, planters, art installations, etc.), cafe seating in the curb lane, curbside separated bike lanes, 24/7 parking on both sides of Danforth, one traffic lane in either direction and turn lanes at intersections.
Learn more about Destination Danforth here: http://councillorpaulafletcher.ca/destination-danforth/
The Danforth Study
The City of Toronto is undertaking a Complete Street and Planning Study of Danforth Avenue, one of the most recognizable and major avenues in the City.
The full study area will span a six kilometre stretch of Danforth Avenue between Broadview Avenue and Victoria Park Avenue. Within that stretch, there will be three types of studies undertaken including:
- Complete street study (Broadview Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue) to examine the roadway width and review options for a complete street design and the potential for on-street protected bike lanes in order to improve road safety.
- Economic and retail study (Broadview Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue) to provide an understanding of the economic environment of the area and issues faced by retailers along Danforth Avenue in order to support and promote economic vitality.
- Planning study (Broadview Avenue to Coxwell Avenue) to identify future city-building opportunities, guide new development, and enhance the public realm and quality of place.
Learn more at: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/planning-studies-initiatives/danforth-avenue-planning-study/
Dundas Bike Lanes
The Dundas St. East bike lanes are getting an upgrade between Broadview Ave and Kingston Road.
In 2020 I made a request to City staff (with Councillor Bradford) to look at short term upgrades that could be completed quickly and for a timeline for a more comprehensive upgrade of the Dundas Bike Lanes between Broadview Ave and Kingston Road.
Transportation staff began pavement markings and the installation of curbs and other separations in November 2020. This round of upgrades will consist of:
- increasing protection at signalized intersections broadly in line with the pilot design at Dundas and Jones, with concrete curbs, bollards, and set back stop bars for vehicles
- adding concrete curbs and bollards in current no-parking areas
- reducing the width of the vehicle lanes (which are currently wider than standard) to create a buffer zone for the cycle lanes
- adding additional pavement markings to no-parking areas near intersections to help prevent parking in the bike lanes
These steps can be completed quickly and without the need for additional consultation. A full consultation on a more comprehensive upgrade will be undertaken in 2022. Read the full staff report online.
Cycling Groups
Ward 14 Bikes
Ward 14 Bikes is the official cycle advocacy group for Ward 14. The former Ward 29 Bikes and former Ward 30 Bikes groups merged after the 2018 municipal election. Visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ward14bikes/
Cycle Toronto
Cycle Toronto is a member-supported not-for-profit organization that works to make Toronto a healthy, safe and vibrant cycling city for all. We are focused on advocacy, education and encouragement, as we work to shape policy and infrastructure, and build community to transform our city’s cycling culture. We engage a diversity of people in our work, pursuing evidence-based solutions that make cycling a viable option for all Torontonians. https://www.cycleto.ca/
