Denzil Minnan-Wong voted "yes" for the Bloor bicycle lanes.
HOWEVER, his attitude towards the bicycle needs very close watching.
From this
link.
Other councillors, while not philosophically opposed to the idea of bike lanes, have issues with the Bloor proposal.
Denzil Minnan-Wong isn't convinced Bloor Street is a suitable location and is concerned about bike lane "creep."
"Are there going to be bike lanes on Danforth next?" he asked reporters.
The Ward 34 councillor also wonders how, when the pilot project is over, it will be determined if the lanes should stay or not.
"The current proposal is a little short on creating clear parameters," Minnan-Wong said, although later he did say he would vote for the project with amendments.
Denzil Minnan-Wong gives me the "creeps". I think he is the "creep".
To answer his "question" about "Are there going to be bike lanes on Danforth next?", my answer is "I hope so!"
I agree, but even I have trepidations about doing lanes on Bloor, and I've been an avid supporter of lanes for decades. Give Wong the gong for voting yes, expressed concerns or not.
I'll say this: As someone who does incredible distance cycling for age and years of fighting cancer (fortunately Thyroid, I'm hyperactive, pays off this late in life) and recently returned to Toronto, many Toronto cyclists haven't a clue on road safety. I see it time and again, wearing helmets but thinking it makes them invulnerable as they fly through stop signs and traffic lights. And not a glance left or right, let alone behind them. And then they have the audacity to ting-a-ling their ridiculous metrosexual bells for me to get out of their way as they break the law, and worse, break decorum. Now I don't want to rant about that just for the sake of it, I blow them away on the straight sections, I know how to use my gears as well as muscles, they haven't a clue on such frivolities, but it *gets them into trouble* when they're not in the clear. On on most Toronto streets, esp main ones, you are *never* 'in the clear'. It's been years since I've been doored...because I presume every parked vehicle with someone in it could open that door in a second. And I'd best be ready to react in a split second, and know from constantly checking over my shoulder at any given moment if my best option is to *aim* for that person (You do not want to hit the door!) or swerve into the adjacent lane.
I see a lot of stupid cyclists doing truly stupid things. In Holland, Denmark, France...*in general* cyclists are more developed in their sense of protocol. Brits? Not so much. I've spent extensive time cycling there too, and many in the clubs are disciplined and aware, many of the hoi-polloi aren't. London is a nightmare.
And Toronto is not that much better. New York is *way ahead* in terms of decorum, albeit some areas are a battlefield, but New Yorkers in general are more relaxed about cyclists.
My fear is that this *isn't* going to work out on Bloor, and used as a weapon, as other posters have mentioned, to stifle the cause. I say "one block north or south if possible" for Bloor rather than right on it. Obviously that will be discontinous, but where possible, it always makes for a better way through. Due to the concerns of congestion, I always do that anyway, and can bomb along some of the sidestreets, whereas on Bloor itself...it's Russian Roulette.
If done, it has to be done right: Separate lanes *on the inside* of parking, not the outside. The US does it on the inside in many cities, especially in California, and it works very well. Mind you, San Diego is the only city I've been in where the traffic lights have sensors for the bike paths to change in your favour. Anyone grow a beard while waiting at Cherry and Lakeshore for the lights to change? Toronto will blame it on the inadequacies of cyclists (and there are many) when in fact it's the shortcomings of a third world cycling infrastructure.
I have concerns on Bloor St lanes. I suggest looking at alternatives that will work, not forcing the issue on those that won't.
