Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[enter username]

Back to Overlea Blvd, it looks like the curb is being moved inward, and that the bus bay near Millwood was removed. There is no sign of a bike track on the initial asphalt pour, but I wonder if it will go between the sidewalk and the new curb.

 

[Midtown Hank]

West side of Davenport from Bedford to DuPont is done, excluding 321 Davenport

View attachment 619490

While I don't dispute the benefit for placing bike lanes on Davenport, these are the exact type of bike lane that cause inaccessibility issues for the disabled. I understand they are cheaper than elevating the lane to the level of the sidewalk, but they are a serious barrier for wheelchairs and those with visual impairments.

 

[Northern Light]

While I don't dispute the benefit for placing bike lanes on Davenport, these are the exact type of bike lane that cause inaccessibility issues for the disabled. I understand they are cheaper than elevating the lane to the level of the sidewalk, but they are a serious barrier for wheelchairs and those with visual impairments.

You've made this argument more than once now.

I'm going to suggest that its time to move on.

The problem you'll face making it aside from the obvious (this is a pro cycle-track thread and forum).........is that the most well known disability advocate in Ontario (and by far the most annoying) David Lepofsky would adamantly oppose your idea of putting the cycle track on level with the sidewalks, and has excoriated the City for that where/when its been done.

The City is left in a no-win position......

I'm an open minded soul..........so if you want to advocate for a different design.........I'm happy to listen....but you're going need to bring evidence of actual danger, not perceived danger, and an alternate design choice that will meet the needs of cyclists and perform better for those with physical challenges.

Elsewise this is one of two preferred design-styles going forward, each of which will attract criticism from some, but without any better solutions on the table.

 

[txlseries4]

The problem you'll face making it aside from the obvious (this is a pro cycle-track thread and forum).........is that the most well known disability advocate in Ontario (and by far the most annoying) David Lepofsky would adamantly oppose your idea of putting the cycle track on level with the sidewalks, and has excoriated the City for that where/when its been done.

and in fact he did just that last year, which @Midtown Hank might be interested in reading about here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/blind-advocates-toronto-bike-lanes-1.7034433

 

[Midtown Hank]

You've made this argument more than once now.

I'm going to suggest that its time to move on.

The problem you'll face making it aside from the obvious (this is a pro cycle-track thread and forum).........is that the most well known disability advocate in Ontario (and by far the most annoying) David Lepofsky would adamantly oppose your idea of putting the cycle track on level with the sidewalks, and has excoriated the City for that where/when its been done.

The City is left in a no-win position......

I'm an open minded soul..........so if you want to advocate for a different design.........I'm happy to listen....but you're going need to bring evidence of actual danger, not perceived danger, and an alternate design choice that will meet the needs of cyclists and perform better for those with physical challenges.

Elsewise this is one of two preferred design-styles going forward, each of which will attract criticism from some, but without any better solutions on the table.

I appreciate how unwelcome some of my opinions are, but understand that we come from different life experiences & perspectives. I have no problem being an outlier in a pro cycle track forum, as that is exactly who should hear about the well meaning but unintended impacts to their advocacy.

I did see the David Lepofsky piece on the cbc a long time ago and appreciate his perspective, but his views also differ from mine. My perspective has never been one of safety, but rather one of accessibility. Placing bollocks on roads is akin to putting up fencing or railings on sidewalks for pedestrians.

My suggestion for a different design (in this particular case) is to simply remove the bollocks and replace them with paint, while deterring cars by keeping the flexi-poles (or unflexible ones) in place. I could navigate by stopping between the poles to unload a wheelchair and its occupant (yes offloading would temporarily occupy the bike lane). Not installing the bollocks would be cheaper.

BTW, I appreciate your knowledge and contributions to this site, so will heed your advice & move on.

 

[Northern Light]

My suggestion for a different design (in this particular case) is to simply remove the bollocks and replace them with paint, while deterring cars by keeping the flexi-poles (or unflexible ones) in place.

This suggestion will not be popular with the City or with Cyclists. Aesthetic issues are part of that, but also the perception that the posts are inadequate for purposes of cyclist safety (easy'ish for large vehicle in particular to run over on purpose or by accident).

I could navigate by stopping between the poles to unload a wheelchair and its occupant (yes offloading would temporarily occupy the bike lane). Not installing the bollocks would be cheaper.

BTW, I appreciate your knowledge and contributions to this site, so will heed your advice & move on.

How would you feel about this design on Danforth that incorporates a mid-block loading zone which can be used for deliveries or for accessible loading/off-loading?

You can see that room has been set aside that doesn't block traffic (it replaces parking) and the cycle track temporarily rises to sidewalk/curb height only for that specific spot.

This design is contemplated as part of many cycle track projects on wider roads, where gapping parking can afford the space while maintaining both the cycle track and vehicle lanes.

It wouldn't be available on every block, but would be available mid-block in larger blocks.

PS, the one here is temporary, but permanent designs would be built with reconstruction.

This is generally being done at bus stops as well.

 

[DSC]

I appreciate how unwelcome some of my opinions are, but understand that we come from different life experiences & perspectives. I have no problem being an outlier in a pro cycle track forum, as that is exactly who should hear about the well meaning but unintended impacts to their advocacy.

I did see the David Lepofsky piece on the cbc a long time ago and appreciate his perspective, but his views also differ from mine. My perspective has never been one of safety, but rather one of accessibility. Placing bollocks on roads is akin to putting up fencing or railings on sidewalks for pedestrians.

My suggestion for a different design (in this particular case) is to simply remove the bollocks and replace them with paint, while deterring cars by keeping the flexi-poles (or unflexible ones) in place. I could navigate by stopping between the poles to unload a wheelchair and its occupant (yes offloading would temporarily occupy the bike lane). Not installing the bollocks would be cheaper.

BTW, I appreciate your knowledge and contributions to this site, so will heed your advice & move on.

Even if cheaper, I am not sure that 'placing bollocks on the road' is likely to prove at all useful, bollards might be better but ..

 

[nfitz]

Not installing the bollocks would be cheaper.

Well, it would cut education costs. And perhaps there'd be less fuss in society about removing them later on. But that's not important right now.

 

[Midtown Hank]

Even if cheaper, I am not sure that 'placing bollocks on the road' is likely to prove at all useful, bollards might be better but ..

Thank you. Yes.

 

[Midtown Hank]

This suggestion will not be popular with the City or with Cyclists. Aesthetic issues are part of that, but also the perception that the posts are inadequate for purposes of cyclist safety (easy'ish for large vehicle in particular to run over on purpose or by accident).



How would you feel about this design on Danforth that incorporates a mid-block loading zone which can be used for deliveries or for accessible loading/off-loading?

View attachment 620514


You can see that room has been set aside that doesn't block traffic (it replaces parking) and the cycle track temporarily rises to sidewalk/curb height only for that specific spot.

This design is contemplated as part of many cycle track projects on wider roads, where gapping parking can afford the space while maintaining both the cycle track and vehicle lanes.

It wouldn't be available on every block, but would be available mid-block in larger blocks.

PS, the one here is temporary, but permanent designs would be built with reconstruction.

This is generally being done at bus stops as well.

Looks like a good solution. Didn't see that on Davenport pics. Moved on.

 

[Northern Light]

Looks like a good solution. Didn't see that on Davenport pics.

I don't know that it was incorporated on Davenport.

Moved on.

That's good, I simply wanted to make you aware of what might be a win/win option, so you know what to advocate for, and you even have a picture you can pull, when cycling projects come up for consultation.

The people you need to connect with are the City Cycling Unit, and particularly when projects are at an early design stage, and there's more flexibility as to how to make things work.

 

[robmausser]

Even if cheaper, I am not sure that 'placing bollocks on the road' is likely to prove at all useful, bollards might be better but ..

View attachment 620522

Pretty low on my list of images I expected to see on this forum

 

[robmausser]

Just an update on this segment of the Finch Trail:

Finch Corridor Trail - Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue

The City of Toronto is planning to build a multi-use trail along the Finch Hydro Corridor from Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue . This trail connection will run 1.6 km within the hydro corridor on the south side of McNicoll Avenue (see map tab). The trail will provide a safe route for...

www.toronto.ca

December 2024
The tender has closed, and construction on the trail is expected to begin in March 2025.

Metrolinx has said the cost of the trail will now double in price. They aren't involved in its construction in any way but still wanted to try to get the city to give them more money.

Doug Ford is actively looking into how the trail can be converted into a north-south highway.

Ok those last two are too believable to be seen as satirical, so im joking to be clear.

 

[turbanplanner]

Just an update on this segment of the Finch Trail:

Finch Corridor Trail - Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue

The City of Toronto is planning to build a multi-use trail along the Finch Hydro Corridor from Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue . This trail connection will run 1.6 km within the hydro corridor on the south side of McNicoll Avenue (see map tab). The trail will provide a safe route for...

www.toronto.ca

Metrolinx has said the cost of the trail will now double in price. They aren't involved in its construction in any way but still wanted to try to get the city to give them more money.

Doug Ford is actively looking into how the trail can be converted into a north-south highway.

Ok those last two are too believable to be seen as satirical, so im joking to be clear.

I did a quick google search but didn't find anything on costs just that it was tendered.

Contract: 17ECS-TI-110LR

 

[Northern Light]

Just an update on this segment of the Finch Trail:

Finch Corridor Trail - Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue

The City of Toronto is planning to build a multi-use trail along the Finch Hydro Corridor from Birchmount Road to Pharmacy Avenue . This trail connection will run 1.6 km within the hydro corridor on the south side of McNicoll Avenue (see map tab). The trail will provide a safe route for...

www.toronto.ca

Oh no.............

Look who the winning bidder was:

Hey, @DSC ...............they weren't even the lowest bidder..........somehow the two lower bidders were disqualified so that Sanson could pick this one up.....

From the report:

Source: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ba/bgrd/backgroundfile-249025.pdf

Cough.....