Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[evandyk]

This is just all so stupid that it destroys any faith in government. Nobody could in good faith think that these three bike lanes have any material impact on congestion relative to all of the miles travelled in Toronto or the GTA every day. Getting rid of them will not be actually noticed by drivers, but it will make life worse for thousands of people who bike on them daily. It's just needless culture wars that don't actually help anybody on the government's side of the war, just harms other people.

 

[TheGrimSweeper]

This is just all so stupid that it destroys any faith in government. Nobody could in good faith think that these three bike lanes have any material impact on congestion relative to all of the miles travelled in Toronto or the GTA every day. Getting rid of them will not be actually noticed by drivers, but it will make life worse for thousands of people who bike on them daily. It's just needless culture wars that don't actually help anybody on the government's side of the war, just harms other people.

My thoughts exactly and Doug Ford's opposition should be hammering this home. He gets away with this stuff cause his opposition is non existent. They should be in front of the news and cameras everyday hammering out how dumb this all is.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

One option of civil disobedience could be for motivated safety advocates to repaint the lanes at night…

...time to take the Tooker.

 

[adys123]

This is just all so stupid that it destroys any faith in government. Nobody could in good faith think that these three bike lanes have any material impact on congestion relative to all of the miles travelled in Toronto or the GTA every day. Getting rid of them will not be actually noticed by drivers, but it will make life worse for thousands of people who bike on them daily. It's just needless culture wars that don't actually help anybody on the government's side of the war, just harms other people.

The drivers will in fact notice... worsening congestion. Because either the remaining cyclists will take up a lane, creating unsafe and regular merging conditions, or they will drive.

 

[evandyk]

I don't think congestion will get worse. Congestion is based on way more material things. The traffic on University is pretty much up to two things right now - (1) there's a huge construction site north of Queen's Park taking up a few lanes, creating merging and unmerging sites; and (2) the Gardiner is jam packed and there are traffic jams at the ramps. There is really no traffic between College and Queen.

 

[christiesplits]

Nobody could in good faith think that these three bike lanes have any material impact on congestion relative to all of the miles travelled in Toronto or the GTA every day.

You haven't talked to my dad in North York or relatives in Aurora, Markham and London!

 

[Towered]

If I ever wind up cycling again, I'm taking up the entire curb lane from now on, forcing cars to have to go around me, and I'll stick a big sign on my bike saying "You can thank Doug for this."

 

[taal]

WE DO. Through our Provincial taxes.

Good point But I meant more pointedly does the City of Toronto need to pay it self ? I don't see how that can be mandated ? If the province has to provide the city funds city can they leverage this - resurface roads/side-walks inflate the cost hugely so either they drop it or worst case if it's pushed we get something out of it at the least (that would still be conducive to adding the lanes back in the future) ?

 

[Towered]

And what is Strong Mayor Chow doing about all this?

 

[MisterF]

Strong mayor powers aren't intended to actually empower mayors. They're intended to help mayors aligned with Queens Park push provincial priorities through city councils.

 

[DSC]

And what is Strong Mayor Chow doing about all this?

The Strong Mayor is only (vaguely) strong in relation to Council and this 'power' was graciously given by the Province. Unfortunately, the City is under the thumb (or heel) of the Province so being strong is not 'recognised' if dealing with them.

 

[DSC]

Good point But I meant more pointedly does the City of Toronto need to pay it self ? I don't see how that can be mandated ? If the province has to provide the city funds city can they leverage this - resurface roads/side-walks inflate the cost hugely so either they drop it or worst case if it's pushed we get something out of it at the least (that would still be conducive to adding the lanes back in the future) ?

Press reports say that the PROVINCE will pay for the work. Will they also manage it? If the City are managing it I suggest they award the contract to Sanscon - that should mean it never actually gets done!

 

[evandyk]

You haven't talked to my dad in North York or relatives in Aurora, Markham and London!

A place of ignorance is not "good faith".

 

[PinkLucy]

If I ever wind up cycling again, I'm taking up the entire curb lane from now on, forcing cars to have to go around me, and I'll stick a big sign on my bike saying "You can thank Doug for this."

Please do. With or without booty shorts.

 

[kotsy]

Since the provincial government is stepping out of their lane to push this, is it possible to get the federal government involved to block this?