May 26, 2020 - Toronto Mayor John Tory is proposing to fast-track the implementation of 40 kilometres of cycling infrastructure, city-wide across Toronto.
As part of ActiveTO’s restart and recovery planning, a report released today, asks Toronto Council to approve the accelerated installation of approximately 25 kilometres of new bikeways, for a total of approximately 40 kilometres of on-street cycling lanes in 2020.
If approved, Bloor Street East, University Avenue/Queen’s Park Crescent and Dundas Street East would be among the first to be expanded quickly via temporary installations.
As the city gears up for summer, Toronto Council has the opportunity to install the new cycling infrastructure in a matter of weeks with delivery of other network implementations continuing on the accelerated timetable – see map of expanded network here.
This infrastructure is a key component to supporting healthy and sustainable communities and will connect cyclists to many of the area’s hospitals and health care facilities as well.
The expanded cycling network is designed to allow people on bikes to move around Toronto safely with flexibility considering changing traffic volumes, and the evolving needs of residents and businesses in the wake of the pandemic.
The report seeks Council authority to install cycle tracks on Bloor Street West, from Shaw Street to Runnymede Road, in addition to the following ActiveTO cycling projects:
- Bloor Street from Avenue Road to Sherbourne St, Cycle Track
- Dundas Street East, from Sackville Street to Broadview Avenue, Cycle Track
- University Avenue / Queens Park, from Adelaide Street to Bloor Street, Cycle Track
- Huntingwood Drive, from Victoria Park Ave to Brimley Road, Bicycle Lane
- Brimley Road, from Kingston Road to Lawrence Avenue, Cycle Track
Danforth Avenue, from Broadview Avenue to Dawes Road, Cycle Track - Bayview Avenue, from River Street to Rosedale Valley Road, Multi-Use Trail
River Street, from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue, Multi-Use Trail - Wilmington Avenue, from Finch Avenue to Sheppard Avenue, Bicycle Lane
- Faywood Boulevard, from Sheppard Avenue to Wilson Avenue, Bicycle Lane
The initiative is supported by SickKids, University Health Network, Sinai Health Systems and Doctors for Safe Cycling, representing many physicians from downtown hospitals, who requested protected bike lanes for healthcare workers, clients and others to commute safely by bike.
Watch ActiveTO video here.
