Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

[bearcat]

View attachment 647144

https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1kbomz5/esplanade_west_of_market_st_looks_like_curb

Not my photo, but saw on Reddit. An update on the progress here.

 

[Northern Light]

https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1kbomz5/esplanade_west_of_market_st_looks_like_curb

View attachment 647820

Not my photo, but saw on Reddit. An update on the progress here.

A fine update, but I think you inadvertently hit 'thumbnail' when adding the pic.

Let me bring the full size photo forward:

 

[nfitz]

One is usually best to avoid annoying those who have power over you so this sounds pretty sensible reaction to me. (Even though I disagree with the Province's opinion!!!)

Assuming that council directs staff in that way.

Also the province didn't ban bike paths. Just that the removal of lanes be studied for the impacts on vehicle traffic, avoid impacts, and get approval.

Looking at the Wellington project - https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...astructure/douro-st-wellington-st-bike-lanes/ - as far as I know, all that's left is the stretch on Sudbury Street - which is only a 2-lane street already! It's mostly parking that would be eliminated, not lanes.

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Looking at the Wellington project - https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...astructure/douro-st-wellington-st-bike-lanes/ - as far as I know, all that's left is the stretch on Sudbury Street - which is only a 2-lane street already! It's mostly parking that would be eliminated, not lanes.

The hope is that it be extended east of Blue Jays Way, where Wellington is a one-way with 4 lanes between driving and parking.

The conversion is a no-brainer to anyone but the Ford government.

 

[nfitz]

The hope is that it be extended east of Blue Jays Way, where Wellington is a one-way with 4 lanes between driving and parking.

I'm not finding anything about that project. Or anything in the council minutes (though not the easiest search term).

Do you have a link?

Though a chunk of that is 2-way, with 3 lanes in one direction, and 1 in the other. And another piece has parking with the 4th lane blocked by a (removable) bump-out/bicycle rack for years. Not long after that is the section with the streetcar on it - and I'm not really in favour of putting bike paths along streetcar tracks - I'd sooner that get the ROW.

Perhaps they should suspend the bike lane over the train tracks.

 

[reinventingthewheel]

I'm not finding anything about that project. Or anything in the council minutes (though not the easiest search term).

Do you have a link?

Look no further than UT:

Coming this fall:

Consultations for the Wellington Cycle Track eastward extension, Davisville, and Yonge northward extension . (no meeting dates/surveys posted yet)

For clarity, the Wellington extension to York is tentatively planned for 2025 (next year).

Further extension to the east (Scott or Church) is currently on the secondary list. Staff have already given some thought to this section.

That is all to say it’s desired, in the pipeline, and hopefully in consultation now. I would lean on NL for any up to date info on that though.

 

[nfitz]

Look no further than UT:


That is all to say it’s desired, in the pipeline, and hopefully in consultation now. I would lean on NL for any up to date info on that though.

Thank, I see the post - but no link to city or council documents.

My concern is staff are ignoring council. But I see nothing for them to ignore.

 

[Northern Light]

I'm not finding anything about that project. Or anything in the council minutes (though not the easiest search term).

The Wellington project (eastern extension) was only approved in principle, as part of the 2025-2027 City Cycling Plan.

It was intended to be implemented at least to Simcoe this year; and ultimately, to at least York, and possibly out to Scott.

The implementing by-law has not been passed, and it has not yet gone to consultation.

TO Inview still shows the project for this year, but has not been updated.

The Map from the Plan is here:

Bright red solid line - New or Major upgrade proposed - near term.

https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/8746-TEY-2025-2027.pdf

Simple Description:

https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/96eb-2025-2027-Cycling-Program-Table.pdf

Index of Reports/attachments for the 2025-2027 plan.

Agenda Item History 2024.IE14.3

Agenda Item History 2024.IE14.3

secure.toronto.ca

 

[innsertnamehere]

Wellington St is honestly a great street for cycling infrastructure. It's way over capacity as an automotive street and is perfect to give up vehicle space for cycling. It should be brought right across to Front St.

Unfortunately the City just reconstructed Wellington between Church and Yonge which will make that connection tough..

If you ask me, Wellington should have been the original target for cross-city cycling infrastructure instead of Richmond/Adelaide. Leave those as the primary vehicle streets across downtown with a high vehicle capacity, and take capacity off of Queen, King, and Wellington to prioritize other modes.

 

[Northern Light]

Wellington St is honestly a great street for cycling infrastructure. It's way over capacity as an automotive street and is perfect to give up vehicle space for cycling. It should be brought right across to Front St.

Across to Church/Front was considered, but its a complex intersection..

Ultimately the choice was to go with the Esplanade as the main route in S/E downtown (north of the rail corridor), and Wellington in the West, the remaining issue was how to make the connection between the two.

Scott is the most likely choice, but we're not there yet.

Unfortunately the City just reconstructed Wellington between Church and Yonge which will make that connection tough..

Its not really an obstacle. IF you remove the southern most lane of traffic, that section could be modified in the one block east of Yonge fairly easily.

If you ask me, Wellington should have been the original target for cross-city cycling infrastructure instead of Richmond/Adelaide. Leave those as the primary vehicle streets across downtown with a high vehicle capacity, and take capacity off of Queen, King, and Wellington to prioritize other modes.

Richmond and Adelaide were chosen for two reasons:

1) No streetcar tracks.

2) Less retail demand, therefore easier to remove street parking, where required.

The desire is to keep major cycling routes at least every other arterial road, if feasible.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Per Councillor Amber Morley's latest e-newsletter, construction on the Etobicoke Creek Trail under the QEW could start this fall and be finished by late Spring 2026.

https://mailchi.mp/0e6b002f648c/doo...bicoke-creek-trail-work-and-more?e=1548e20de6

 

[DSCToronto]

They have finally returned the (temporary) raised TTC stop to The Esplanade bike track just west of Lower Sherbourne so will, I assume, soon get the mini-jerseys back on the street to separate the bike track more definitively.(All were removed for the 2024 water project.) However, I am still puzzled as to why they are putting all this 'temporary' stuff back as they are planning to make a permanent raised track on The Esplanade when they (finally) do the upgrade to David Crombie Park starting in fall 2025. Surely easier to do the (permanent) track now and the park later?

 

[sche]

Not sure if this has been posted before (did some quick searching but didn't find anythign), but I was browsing the City of Vaughan's website today and found out they have some pretty good plans for bike lanes, cycle tracks and even protected intersections (!) on a number of collector roads in the Dufferin/Rutherford area.

Functional Designs | City of Vaughan

www.vaughan.ca

It is unfortunate that the cycle tracks turn into painted bike lanes whenever there are driveways. It's not ideal to have driveways and cycle tracks, but I really don't see how bike lanes are preferable. Nonetheless this is a big improvement, and I was quite surprised that Vaughan is willing to make these changes (especially considering the roads in this area really are not old and not otherwise in need of reconstruction). With some tweaks (especially continuation of cycle tracks across driveways) this is a great template for applying to collector roads all over suburban 416 and 905.

Some screenshots:

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Just found out on Bluesky this morning there will be a community meeting regarding the West Scarborough Railpath on Wednesday, May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warden Hilltop Community Centre, 25 Mendelssohn St. Not sure why it said Tuesday?

Community members looking for answers on city's plans for West Scarborough Rail Path – Beach Metro Community News

This map shows the proposed route of the West Scarborough Rail Path. A community meeting on the path is set for Wednesday, May 7, at the Warden Hilltop

beachmetro.com

 

[Northern Light]

Just found out on Bluesky this morning there will be a community meeting regarding the West Scarborough Railpath on Wednesday, May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warden Hilltop Community Centre, 25 Mendelssohn St. Not sure why it said Tuesday?

Community members looking for answers on city's plans for West Scarborough Rail Path – Beach Metro Community News

This map shows the proposed route of the West Scarborough Rail Path. A community meeting on the path is set for Wednesday, May 7, at the Warden Hilltop

beachmetro.com

I have to laugh at people's hyperbole.........its not unique to NIMBYs....

Really?

Every other area has one......... I mean I suppose all of North York has one, because of the Leaside Spur Trail......

But if that's the standard..............then.....this:

must count for all of Scarborough........ its the Upper Rouge Trail, today..........but it was a railway spur.

Scarborough Railpath Trail

May 11, 2024 The Scarborough Railpath, also known as the Upper Rouge Trail, is a 2.3 kilometer trail that runs from Upper Rouge Trail to Sewels Road. It follows the right of way for a short rail li…

hikingthegta.com