Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[bedoozled]

It's dog or human shit (this is on the sidewalk BTW). I've filed so many 311 reports but it never abates. There's also an epidemic of sidewalk cycling & vehicles on the sidewalk which I guess only enforcement would help, but IMO they should do away with on street parking entirely (like between Lansdowne and Dufferin) and rehabilitate the sidewalks, which are in extremely poor shape (like dips, cracks, curb cuts) and also plant a tree or two. There is next to no shade at all. I guess you can tell I'm pretty fired up about what it's like to use Dupont!

 

[turbanplanner]

Not Toronto but this area has been like this for 3+ years in Ajax. What idiot came up with this

 

[TwinHuey]

Received this morning from Cycle Toronto (see the link to the petition at the bottom of the screenshot). I signed.

For those who are not aware, Danforth Kingston is a proposed 12 km cycle track running from Victoria Park to Scarborough Golf Club Road.

Danforth Kingston 4 All - Sign our Petition

www.danforthkingston4all.ca

 

[DSC]

 

[evandyk]

When I used to commute by bicycle, I occasionally used Dupont as an alternative to Bloor to get to and from downtown (because of boredom), and it never felt safe at all...

When I was doing group road rides, we used to often take Dupont to go E-W across the city because it has fewer lights than Bloor. It's safe enough if you're in a group and going fast, but I never bike along it by myself.

Not that Bloor was that safe back then before the bike lanes. It was slower, but a lot more cars turning and parking/opening their doors.

 

[evandyk]

The biggest safety improvement on Dupont for all users would probably be to install red light cameras at every intersection.

 

[UntitledCyclist]

This afternoon from the Millwood/Leaside bridge. Concrete barriers have been installed on the SB (west) side! And they have painted bi-directional tracks here. NB has not had concrete installed as yet. Also, they have finally closed the E-W pedestrian crosswalk that showed green to crossing traffic at the same time as the walk signal.

Behold!
View attachment 600769

I wonder why they went with dashed lines, especially as they ground off a solid line that was already there from the old unidirectional lane. Maybe that's the current standard for bidirectional bike lane markings. I suppose it is done to allow people to pass slower riders when safe – because NO one would ever cross a solid line (like on the MGT) to pass Or maybe it's just to save money on paint!

 

[Northern Light]

It's dog or human shit (this is on the sidewalk BTW). I've filed so many 311 reports but it never abates.

I got no obvious solutions there.

There's also an epidemic of sidewalk cycling & vehicles on the sidewalk which I guess only enforcement would help, but IMO they should do away with on street parking entirely (like between Lansdowne and Dufferin) and rehabilitate the sidewalks, which are in extremely poor shape (like dips, cracks, curb cuts) and also plant a tree or two.

I just used Street View to look at the Lansdowne to Dufferin section............the sidewalks aren't actually that old for the most part. Some are definitely too narrow, and I'd happily support removing street parking here. No harm in asking for that in the survey, or emailing the Councillor.

For that section it would be Councillor Bravo's office.

The best streetscape opportunities here will be how they buffer the edges of any street parking they do provide, as they now have a design for that w/o having to do reconstruction or move the catch basins. These can include trees.

* edit to add, the sidewalks beside the Galleria development will be rebuilt as buildings complete, by the developer, and those will be wider, with streetscape improvements.

There is next to no shade at all. I guess you can tell I'm pretty fired up about what it's like to use Dupont!

Good! Fill out the survey and email the councillor!

 

[bearcat]

Thanks for the advice @Northern Light! I wrote a long and detailed email with many photos to Councillor Malik, I will post an update if I hear back from her, or 311.

This is the reply I got from Councillor Malik's office:

"Thank you for your email.

I share your concerns with road safety at Blue Jays Way between Wellington Street and Front Street.

On your behalf, I reached out to City staff regarding the condition of this stretch of road and requested a status update on road resurfacing plans. This is the response I received:

“Our Transportation Services Operations and Maintenance staff have been working on plans to complete major road maintenance repairs on Peter St and Blue Jays Way from Front St to Richmond St W, including the cycling facilities.

There are ongoing utility works in the area this year impacting our ability to perform work at this time. That noted, planning to complete the major road maintenance repairs in 2025 is underway.”

Thanks again for reaching out, Dmitri. I hope thi"s was helpful."

So perhaps something will be done next year?

Still waiting to see what response I get from 311.

 

[vic]

Got a flyer in my mailbox (near Davenport and Symington) for the Dupont Complete Street project. They must be flyering a pretty huge area today.
Separate surveys for businesses and residents are posted now.

Dupont Complete Street

Phase 1 surveys are now closed. Phase 2 Public Consultation is planned to begin in Winter 2024/2025. The City of Toronto is proposing the installation of a Complete Street on Dupont Street between Dundas Street West and Davenport Road. Complete Streets enhance road safety and accessibility for...

www.toronto.ca

 

[Carpe Diem]

A visual update on the lower Don Trail for this thread. The paved portion is now painted for directional use. In a short City TV piece on the old Eastern Ave. Bridge removal it was noted that crews were finishing work on the trail, after which time the demolition crew would come in to remove the old bridge. So this stretch is in fact paved for multi-use. It ends under Queen St., nothing north is complete.

 

[turbanplanner]

Went to drop off a package on Kipling, noticed the fire truck used the centre lane to drive past the gridlock. Wonder what measures can help accomplish that if the centre lane is removed?

 

[PL1]

Went to drop off a package on Kipling, noticed the fire truck used the centre lane to drive past the gridlock. Wonder what measures can help accomplish that if the centre lane is removed?

View attachment 602459

In Germany, drivers must create a Rettungsgasse ("rescue lane") in stopped traffic. Simple, and it works.

 

[turbanplanner]

Do we realistically think people will do that?

 

[bearcat]

Went to drop off a package on Kipling, noticed the fire truck used the centre lane to drive past the gridlock. Wonder what measures can help accomplish that if the centre lane is removed?

View attachment 602459

A bicycle lane wide enough to accommodate a fire truck. Replace the center lane with a bidirectional bike lane the width of the center lane (obviously flip the position of the former center lane with one of the curb lanes first). Very easy for bicycles to get out of the way onto the sidewalk and grass on the side of the road for an approaching firetruck.