Toronto pimping bikelanes to the film industry for motortard parking?
What goes on?
Friday I notice St George bikelanes north of College filled with the telltale cones that inform a production crew has lain claim to the neighbourhood. Saturday indeed they have. Bikelanes are overrun by trucks and cars, most not in direct support (ie. not the rigs).
West of University the College westbound bikelanes are repurposed as production vehicle parking. A chalkboard informs "Bikelanes closed. Cyclists use caution".
Hello City of Toronto. What genius concluded it was a "Good Idea" (tm) to repurpose something already overused and underbuilt established for safety reasons for the convenience of what? Filming a production? A car commercial maybe?
On which note one might note the Queen St north sidewalk west of Phoebe was full of Audi on Friday evening. Strange looking pedestrian to me. Who puts the rubber stamp of approval on crap like this? Pedestrian and bicycle space should not be for the benefit of car marketers. We have enough problems with sidewalks full of parked cars already.
Alright. Between Soho and Spadina. In front of the handmade soaps / former home of the big gates area.
To: councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca, councillor_heaps@toronto.ca
Subject: Permits to use bike lanes for movie shoot support vehicles
Dear Councillors
About 15:00 Friday afternoon I noted the southbound bike lanes on St
George St between Russell and College blocked with lettered orange cones
commonly used by film productions to stake out space. Saturday about
16:00 I noted bike lanes through this area blocked by both these cones and
motor vehicles. There was no shortage of available parking in the area yet
these vehicles were parked blocking the bike lane.
More concerning, about 19:40 I noted film production support
vehicles completely blocking the westbound bike lanes on College between
University and Kings College. A chalk board at the head of the blockade
read "Bike Lane Closed Cyclists use Caution".
I would like to remind you gentlemen that bike facilities are
presently oversubscribed and under provided in this city. Arbitrarily
taking something out of commission provided for the safety and security of
a large group of our population for the business interests of a small group
that does little for this community does not appear to make a great deal of
sense. Production gaffers lug equipment from the trucks to where they are
needed on a given set. Requiring these support vehicles to park in spots
"less convenient" would certainly be more convenient than the potential
result of yet another altercation between a bicyclist and motor vehiclist.
Please reconsider this policy and consider the potential
implications of granting facilities provided for the safety of one group of
the electorate
for the convenience of another group that for the most part don't
contribute to the local economy.
Also of note Friday evening about 19:00 the north sidewalk of Queen
St west of Soho was blocked by an Audi on a pedestal surrounded by lights.
Although the sidewalk is generous in this location it still served to
obstruct a good amount of it given that it was placed at an angle. Motor
vehicles using pedestrian space is a serious problem in this city.
Tolerating this for a motor vehicle promotion seems incomprehensible to me.
Why is this happening?
Sincerely yours
Rather than have them park the vehicles elsewhere (which might not be possible - don't they run a bunch of wires from the vehicles to the filming sites?), I would prefer to have the car lane to the left of the support vehicles re-assigned to bikes. Film crews get their space, cyclists get their lane, and the only ones inconvenienced are the drivers who have many more options than cyclists for making a short detour.
Wasn't there some kind of policy that came out last year that when there is construction or other obstacles in the bike lanes, an alternate route needs to be set up with pylons?!? Did I dream that, or was this the enlightened policy of an entirely different city?
Makes sense Annie: They seem to have a tonne of bright orange pylons that they could easily use to guide cyclists through safely.
As the bike lanes are a joke in this city to start with--this is just more of the same. I can't tell you how many times when I was cycling in downtown that someone still ran me onto the sidewalk in a skidding halt.
I agree with the above common-sense cyclists who stated that the obvious solution was to orange cone a bike lane and let the cars share one lane as they must do if there's no bike lane at all.
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
Yes, sometimes these film shoots are real road and bike lane hogs.
The City is willing to sell cyclists out, and it does jeopardize the safety at times as the orange cones are well into the bike lanes.
I believe there's some rental revenues to the City - how much, and what's the sharing?
(We're coming up to April 1, trying for humour...)
I have no real problem with the rental of the bike lanes. They also rent out parking lanes and entire parking lots if they are within range of the production. It's revenue for the city, which means (hopefully) money for the people.
Cyclists shouldn't forget that they have the legal right to "take the lane" when they feel they cannot share safely. I definitely take the entire lane when passing production convoys, and I've never received any ire from the motorists behind me.
Bonus, empty lanes with traffic cones mean fun times weaving through them.
Hi there.
I'm a Toronto resident who has made use of bike lanes on occasion in the past, and totally understand the need for them and the great benefit they are to Motorists as well as Cyclists.
However, I also work within the Film Industry as a Rigging Gaffer, and have been working in film for 22 years.
The past 2-4 years have been tough ones for the Film industry in Toronto. We've seen production drop from a well over a billion dollar industry to unders 200 million a year. Alot of things have led upto that drop in production, and alot of good friends have lost their jobs, their homes, and had to change their careers due to the slump in Production in Toronto.
That's changing now though. Productions are returning to Toronto, due to the lower dollar, as well as the tax incentives that the provincal goverment offers.
However, it's still a fight to get productions to return to Toronto again, and we need all the help we can get in ensuring they return here.
continued in next post
A previous poster mentioned that we have cables that run from some of those trucks to the set. Which is entirely true. The trucks on the north side of college were powering the set, and providing direct support with lighting gear, grip gear, camera gear and other things. It's unfortunate that the bike lanes had to be closed and I do realise it's an impact on the community, however the location of the trucks was chosen due to the requirements of the set.
It was done on a Saturday, due to the availability of the location, we can't film there other then on weekends. The cones and trucks on St George, were to support an entirely different location of filming. There were 3 seperate sets within the U of T campus that were being filmed that day. So the trucks had to move around and we had to use part of St George at points too.
I totally understand how it's a bit of a pain for people who use thoes bike lanes frequently, trust me I have no ill will towards those who have voiced their concerns. What I would like to ask though, is you keep my family and the many of other familys who rely on the Film Industry for their livings, in mind as well.
Construction companies can close off entire lanes of traffic for months on end, and the city grants them the access to do that for free. We require a few days at times and productions have to pay a sometimes hefty sum for that ability. I don't think it's about the money though for permits. We try to ensure that we do the best that we can when it comes to those around us. We realise that we're intruding on others space, and I'd like to think the majority of the people in my Industry are very respectful of local residents and business owners.
However, at some point...if we can't park vehicles on the streets for a day or two at a time...then our city becomes less and less of a viable option for productions.
I appologise if you feel put out at all, I truly do. I just hope you can understand that there's always a multitude of variables that go into why we have to be parking in certain spaces at certain times.
With all respect. Thank you for letting us film on your streets.
:)
I was just curious so I thought I'd reply to your post.
What part of the Film Industry do you feel does "little for this community"?
It pays my wages, it enables me to pay my taxes, I'm a resident of this area your talking about. I don't understand what makes you think that film production has no support at all for the community. They spend money in the community, as well as employ people in the community...
As well just to clarify, there's only one Gaffer on a film crew. Grips, Electrics, Camera People, Locations Department, Wardrobe People, Hair/Makeup, Transport, Craft Services, Assistant Directors, Props, Special FX, Construction Department, Paint Department, Greens Department, and a multitude of other people are the ones you see lugging the gear to and from a set.
We're an entire industry. We're not one person lugging gear. We're 50-200 Toronto Residents per set that are gainfully employed and contributing to the community.
Just wanted to clarify that.
Blocking lanes for filming, construction, or other reasons is a necessary evil sometimes. As others said, a good compromise would be a requirement to mark a temporary lane with pylons.
Though I'd certainly draw the line at closing a bike lane for a car promotion. That's just stupid.
So long as we can bike safely I don't think folks complain much. So please, just take our needs into account and I shall honk and wave at you all as I go by:-)
In fact when I was hauling groceries some lovely man from a film crew helped pull my buggy over electrical wire hump thingy coming down Lansdowne. Now * that* impressed me.
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
Byrd. You have made your viewpoint known as have other commenters on this node. Bikelanes do not serve a safety function and as such other users should be granted licence to repurpose them at their whim. Any encouragement function they provide to reluctant would be cyclists is unimportant when considered beside the needs of the Byrd household and other benefactors of the film industry and in fact any other non bicyclist users of the bike lanes whether they live in Toronto or not.
That any bicyclist should be hurt or killed as a result of being forced into the regular traffic lanes is merely an "inconvenience" or "bit of a pain".
I am indeed very sorry to see how lightly you take the well being of others and how little empathy you feel when others are injured or killed by other motor vehicle users. I see that really sums up our situation as bicyclists sharing space on carterials with motorholics brandishing 3000 lb weapons. We are expected by these same motorholics to yield right of way whether the DOT HTA requires it in a given situation or not.
As such our carist policing is indeed a symptom of our carist society. It is the car that matters. Not the pedestrian flattened under its wheels or the bicyclist impaled on its hood ornament.
http://www.bikeblognyc.com/?p=2556
http://sockpuppet.ca/xray
You're over dramatizing this, geoffrey. You describe this like we aren't noticing the vehicles until we're right upon them and have no time to look around us as we merge with traffic.
The reality is, a cyclist comes upon a production convoy, looks at the traffic in the next lane and merges when it is safe to do so - just like any other person on the road. No one is going blatantly run you down while you take the lane and pass the convoy. The key is to take the ENTIRE lane so that if a car wants to pass, they have to change lanes or merge with oncoming traffic to do it.
dash: http://sockpuppet.ca/xray
Want to guess what happened? I'd taken the lane. In that case the Queensway and was westbound in the curb lane. Someone drove into the back of me. That coward concocted a story I had a "seizure" and managed to leave the scene without leaving contact information. The investigating officer accepted their story without consulting with me.
I've since come to the conclusion this type of collision is much more common than is statistically recorded. Tainted investigations are the norm. Motorists escape being held accountable far too frequently.
And yes. That is the Queensway. Not the QEW. It is a public roadway and not a limited access highway as some would have you (and I) think. Despite the expressway style cloverleaf at South Kingsway it is a public roadway with houses fronting on it.
I stand corrected. Apparently people WILL run you down.
I feel it's worth while to note that on a road like the queensway, no matter it's legal designation, I'd have walked my bike on the sidewalk or something.
Judgment calls have to be customized for each particular situation, but I still stand by my original advice.
It is true that Bike Lanes DO rock, and I agree that it is disrespectful for motorists to park in Bike Lanes, and I usually take the time to make this point (in a manner of my own choosing) when deemed worthy; but they are not an umbilical cord for cyclists. I honestly think that some people consider them life support for two wheel movement.
If you really believe that your safety is put at serious risk when not on a Bike Lane then get a Bus Pass or walk - just stay off the cracks in the sidewalk.
We cannot expect people not to abuse bike lanes if they are arbitrarily repurposed by various entities with or without the city's approval. If there is no education and enforcement elements introduced these issues will continue to arise.
Considering the comments of some here it would appear bike lanes are considered a luxury. This is not the case. They are on their own part of the education element informing drivers bicyclists are indeed entitled to road use and Toronto supports bicyclists road use even it its police are not always entirely on board.
By the city permitting groups other than bicyclists to use the bike lanes (for parking motor vehicles?!!!), the city is serving to undermine its own message. The city is in fact endorsing parking in the bike lanes by issuing permits to do so. Those casually passing a caravan of film support vehicles in a bike lane will see this exception and conclude they likewise should be entitled to park in bike lanes. This is reinforced when police and other city vehicles not on emergency calls do likewise.
Telling people to walk or get a bus pass is absurd. People are entitled to safe use of the roadways under the DOT HTA. That this code is ignored by many (most?) licenced motorists and these same feel entitled to intimidate or molest or mutilate other entitled road users including bicyclists and pedestrians either by intent or ineptitude is incongruous in this day and age. That our law enforcement officers tolerate and often participate in this behaviour is bizarre to an extreme.
Bike lanes are for bikes. If we begin making exceptions and tolerating their abuse we actively participate in the further marginalisation of bicycling as a mode of transportation.
Your exacerbation proclamation is acceptable, yet a tad on the dramatic side. New Rule - No Drama in Bike Lanes either.
If you really believe that your safety is put at serious risk when not on a Bike Lane then get a Bus Pass or walk - just stay off the cracks in the sidewalk.
Obviously, the number of times people skid out, are shoved into streetcar tracks and 1000's of other near misses cyclists are subjected to daily in this city is an abomination. When I was biking, I stopped trying to count the times some eejit tried to run me up onto the sidewalk or into the sewer grates because I would have stopped cycling.
This city is anything but bike friendly. Think about new bike riders. To learn to ride one safely, one has to ride somewhere. Yet the nearest safe cycling area for many in this city is 1/2-a mile+ away from where they live. I'm experiencing this problem right now.
A trike, because it is three-wheeled is very different than balancing on a bike. It takes, according to the research I read 30 miles or more, to stop trying to lean into curves and other such biking tactics. It turns and brakes more slowly. I need somewhere safe to cycle and learn if I want to go further than the local fruit stand.
If we are truly committed to getting people out on their bikes then we need hundreds of intersecting, convenient bike lanes since it is blatantly obvious that you don't need to know much about driving with bicycles on the road to get a drivers' license.
As I came down Sauraran last night I stopped at every stop sign. Of all the drivers I saw--Only one did.
Then there's the speed bumps. Argh.
Speed bumps and 4-way stops only exist because motorists are zooming through residential neighbourhoods in defiance of the law. Cyclists aren't knocking over little old ladies with their bundle buggys and squishing children who run onto the road after their toys, that's for sure.
If most motorists went by the law, half of the infrastructure to force them to obey it--wouldn't need to exist.
New Rule - No Drama in Bike Lanes either.
Drama?
The drama I'd like to see is thousands of cyclists and pedestrians painting big "X"s on cars in glow-in-the-dark nonwashable paint on every obnoxious git who is driving a murder machine while yapping on a cell phone.
That's drama.
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
Nothing would make me happier than a city full of cycling infrastructure. And although progress is being made, we are years away from implementing the Bike Plan, which will still be a limited network of bike lanes, paths, signed routes and sharrows.
There are good points being made here, points that will support strategy, lets not diminish them by injecting blurred emotions.
I consider the subject of cycling advocacy quite serious, and I encourage others to participate objectively when supporting it.
"Blurred emotions"?
This is a forum where people tend to discuss their experiences.
It is not a written submission to city hall.
So, of course people will discuss their feelings. Strategy isn't diminished by emotion--it's enhanced with it.
Otherwise, no one would be passionate enough to fight for it.
It's the same reason most citizens don't give a crap until someone they knows gets hurt or dies due to the crappy cycling conditions.
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:50:44 -0400
From: filmtoronto filmtoronto@toronto.ca
To: geoffrey@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Councillor Heaps Councillor_Heaps@toronto.ca,
Dianne Hilliard dhillia1@toronto.ca
Subject: Reply regarding bike lanes
Parts/Attachments:
1 Shown ~97 lines Text
2 OK ~78 lines Text, "HTML"
Dear Mr. Gies,
We are in receipt of your email dated March 23 to Councillor Heaps regarding
filming and the use of bicycle lanes for parking.
Permits can be issued to production companies to allow for filming and
parking in bicycle lanes. Signs are to be erected advising cyclists and
motorists that the bicycle lane is closed and to use caution. A notification
is sent to the Pedestrian & Cyclist Infrastructure Department. Whenever
possible we try to discourage parking where there are bicycle lanes but in
some cases this can not be avoided.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me or
our Film Co-ordinator, Pati Coukell at 416 338-3456. Thank you.
Rhonda Silverstone
Manager
Toronto Film & Television Office
Toronto Film and Television Office
City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Main Floor, North Rotunda
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
t. 416 338 FILM (3456)
f. 416 392 0675
filmtoronto@toronto.ca
www.toronto.ca/tfto
So there you have it. It is city policy to redesignate resources allegedly constructed for the benefit of an already marginalised group (bicyclists) for the benefit of a privileged few. In this case film barons. The safety and well being of bicyclists is less important than the margins of film barons. Why wonder why police are unwilling to act on complaints of bike lanes and paths blocked by motorists. "Bike Lane" is merely another means of disguising privileged parking in this city.
Green washing is alive and well here. Complain or publish photos depicting abuse and one is likely to receive an unwelcome visit.
I don't want to have our Bike Lanes knocked out by film crews, but the City is not giving handouts to wealthy film executives.
The reason behind production locations on city streets has everything to do with the revenue the City receives for renting this space, as well as the revenues and jobs that come as a direct result of the film industry in Toronto.
I want film crews to leave some space for cyclists - I don't think they need the whole street, perhaps a Paid Duty Police position could be required under certain conditions where a street becomes partially obstructed (i.e.: next to a street car line, busy areas, weekday use, etc.)
not a hand out?
where is the city with respect to lobbying the province to improve driver education with respect to accepting bicyclists as traffic and privileged road users? Where is the city with moving forward with the coroners report? where is the city with respect to lobbying the province to move forward on the coroner's report?
where is the city with respect to its own facilities for bicyclists? renting them out to the highest bidder? conveniently overlooking its own bylaws? ignoring the safety of the users and tax payers they were installed for in the first place?
when you pay by limb or life, will you still consider this less than a subsidy? who do you think will pick up the cost of your hospitalisation?
this is a tax and lottery on the citizenry. if you are not hurt, it doesn't. if you are and it does, tough luck. if you had a good health plan where you worked you might not gain too much debt. if you were an independant contractor you may have buried yourself. corporate welfare state is what is in effect here.
Yes Geoffrey, films are worth more than lives....(ughh)
Meanwhile back at the ranch....Let's shed some perspective on this:
$1,006,573,475; with the vast majority shot in TO.
So, although I don't like the fact that Bike Lanes are permitted to film productions, I recognize that one will need to put a very solid argument together if they hope to change the current practice.
Question: When you ride around Toronto, do you only ride along Bike Lanes?
Mr Flaherty
Thankyou for answering. You've made it clear the affluence of a few is worth more than the lives and ability to maintain livelihoods of others. The perceived safety of bike lanes is but a luxury to you. The significance of moving people to a more environmentally friendly form of transit inconsequential.
Sir, are you at all aware of the considered impacts of climate change? Are you at all aware of the affects of motor vehicle impact on the human body? Are you entirely inconsiderate of the level of mutilation even a small impact has on the human body? Were you the cowardly bastard who hit me and had the audacity to claim I had a seizure?
Yes films are good for the economy. Yet the argument about their economic spin-off can be applied to anything. Oil for example. When it was $150. barrel everyone who wanted a job had one.
I have yet seen an instance where bike lanes have been used for film parking that an alternative was not available. When they were filming in Moss Park they parked in the bike lanes on Shuter yet there was ample space for them on Queen or Jarvis.
To be clear;
I commute by bike in all seasons and in all weather, I ride to the store, and I ride most places, including rides around Toronto with my wife and children.
I am an active member of the TCU and Co-Captain in Ward 29.
I have clearly stated before that "Bike Lanes DO Rock" (my exact words from an earlier post on this topic)
I didn't hit you, and I'm not a coward, or a bastard for that matter.
Now then, you never answered my question.
Get off G. (again)!
I know Mr. Flaherty. My Father worked for Mr. Flaherty. You my friend are no Mr. Flaherty!
Answer the guy's damn question... dink.
I have not been convinced either way about film parking in the bike lane, though I tend to dislike it and think there are viable alternatives.
You brought up the point that you are a member of TCU and a Co-Captain in order to lend credibility to your take on this. I looked for some direction on topic on the TCU's web site. In their position statement they say this, "...Those vehicles provided with special exemption from the City of Toronto to park in bike lanes, such as public utility vehicles, should use pylons to re-create a safe bicycle lane around them..."
Apart from some of Geoffery's hot headed statements, why are you badgering a cyclist for wanting what the TCU wants? The TCU seems to have a very reasonable solution to this problem, is there no unity on the issue? Should you not be supporting Geoffery's concerns? Is it the position of the TCU that films have more value than any safety concern or is that yours alone?
I am stumped. The TCU has something that is very workable solution. Are the position statements just a bunch of words that sound nice together or do they really mean something?
My favorite position is that cycling infrastructure should be created and maintained whenever possible.
If you read my posts, you will find that I am against the current permitting of Bike Lanes for film productions, and since you asked, I agree with the TCU's position on how to deal with them. Further to that, I actually agree with Geoffrey's general concern about Bike Lanes, but I am not really clear on what his specific position is, nor does he offer any solution, or make expressed demands on the issue of permitting. So in short, I am not sure that Geoffrey wants what the TCU wants in this case.
I am not badgering Geoffrey, but I do think that his posts are often hysterical, and that is objectionable in my opinion. The basic challenge I make is this: If you believe the subject in question is serious then treat it accordingly, otherwise you allow your points to be dismissed as irrational (e.g: pimping children to movie moguls).
I only referred to my membership with the TCU and my cycling habits because I was being accused of being an ignorant and inconsiderate, un-environmental, cowardly bastard, that assaults cyclists, and thought that I ought to point out how grossly inaccurate those comments were. I think it is also fair to point out that while I am an active member of the TCU, my posts here do not necessarily reflect their expressed positions on cycling.
The TCU's idea seems unsafe... The trucks are already taking the bike lane, and creating a full sized temp bike land beside them will take out enough of the car lane that it will require them to cross the yellow line (this assumes a regular two lane road, as seems to usually be the case for many production convoy parking areas) for an unsafe amount of time to get past the convoy. This will cause traffic jams and an immense amount of driver frustration at best. Crashes at worst. Driver frustration levels are highly relevant, in this situation in particular, as we all know what drivers like to do when they're frustrated with cyclists (or with anyone, really).
I've always assumed that this was the reason an temporary bike lane is never created. Having temporary sharrows beside a convoy seems even worse because there's too high a risk of a pedestrian popping out between trucks, which means either smacking the pedestrian or smacking the cones - either one will result in a messy spill.
Having said all that, I can't think of any other viable solutions other than the cyclist taking the lane - to which G attempted with unsavory results. Taking the sidewalk is illegal (125 fine) and ultra dangerous in this situation because of the extra pedestrian traffic, and equipment littering the walk.
Ultimately, this is all stemming from a larger problem. Driver education needs to include how to respond to cyclists. Driver and Cyclist road etiquette needs to be reviewed, adjusted and enforced. In the mean time, cyclists have to continue choosing the safest option they can and hope for the best. (hardly ideal)
I envision the production trucks parked curbside, covering the width of the Bike Lane and perhaps 2/3 of the lane, so that's where you make a temporary Bike Lane with pylons and such. However, if there is no Bike Lane to start with, then lane taking is my preference; as was the case on Parliament earlier this week.
The way I understood it, the pylons would create a bikelane from what is left of the car lane and the cars would have to make a detour, or use only one lane in cases where they had two lanes to begin with. Judging by the poor connectivity of the Toronto bikeplan, it seems cyclists are regularly expected to make detours, so it doesn't seem like too much to ask of drivers in this situation. Whenever I've seen cars parked or stopped in a bikelane, I've always grumbled to myself "You wouldn't dare do that in the middle of a car lane". Well, in the past two weeks, there have been three incidents where a car stopped in the middle of the road to let passengers on or off. In one case, the car simply stopped in the middle of the lane behind Mt. Sinai hospital - it took a while for those of us behind it to realize they were waiting for someone to leave the building and make our way around. This morning, a driver stopped in the middle of the road on Shaw, making the driver behind him and myself wait while their kids piled out of the car - never bothered pulling over. The arrogance is getting scarier and scarier. But hey, the message I'm taking from this is that it's now OK to inconvenience drivers in the same way that cyclists have been inconvenienced in the past. So if it's OK to block a bikelane, then there shouldn't be any problems blocking a car lane.
I do hate parked cars in the bike lane.
But film sets have their purpose and reason for shutting streets down.
They frequently block street and sidewalk traffic as well. So does construction.
By your reasoning we should get rid of any street festivals that block bike lanes.
Deal and adapt, fight for your right without becoming a zealot.
This guy needs to get his meds adjusted.
How else can you be run down? Subtly?
P.S. No, it wasn't me either. Honest. Lighten up, at least a little
http://anticyclist.blogspot.com/
Recently there was construction on Queen right across where I had to go to get back in traffic from a left. That left no parking areas and a very narrow traffic area going west with no bike space.
I was a very good Trikester, I got off my bike and walked across the left which made the lovely traffic cop smile and wave. I then waited safely, got back on and pulled out with no traffic coming.
I had to take the whole lane for half a block. There was no leeway.
Yet, in this OBVIOUS situation, some eejit sat behind me honking for a half a block while riding my butt. If I had hit a pothole or my brakes for some reason I would have been splattered on his hood. What did he expect me to do? Levitate?
Even if there is parking lanes, I obviously can't maneuver in and out of them like a two-wheeler.
I suspect that sort of event is exactly why cyclists get so annoyed because I've had the same thing happen when the lanes are blocked by film crews and cyclists aren't taken into account.
Most of the time though, I guess due to my trike size, the fact it's unusual and they see cargo on the back, most drivers have been okay. And I have to say, other cyclists seem to think it's great fun:-)
HONKA! HONKA!
http://trikester.wordpress.com/
This is a good example why the city should have separated bicycle lanes.
And maybe some of the cycling groups could ask for some money from the production company. I know they pay local community people money to hush up.
And to the trike guy take up the whole lane and don't worry about it. We cyclist have to stop worrying about inconveniencing nasty automobile drivers.
I had a similar thing happen to me, I needed to take a lane for about 2 blocks during rush hour traffic. I'm a relatively quick and during rush hour I can easily match the speed of traffic.
Long story short, a frustrated motorist wanting to speed to the upcoming read was aggressively swerving and honking his horn behind me (essentially threatening me with his car, so I would get out of his way). Once I got to the read light a police officer who had seen this pulled up to me and told me I was breaking the law for blocking traffic (obviously no knowing the HTA as it pertains to bikes). Then said he would let me off with a warning witha very angry and heated tone of voice.
I was appalled, being threatened with a deadly weapon was of no concern to the officer and was the one being reprimanded for exercising my legal right to the road.
Although, taking the lane is our right as cyclists, and I still continue to do so. It can be a dangerous and place without protection from law enforcement.
That being said, I'm not concerned with film trucks parked in bike lanes. As mentioned above they serve a purpose, it is a rare event compared to the many people that block bike lanes without any sort of permission from the city. I would rather see members of the community to focus there passion on applying pressure to enforce currently laws and ticket the average motorist that uses the bike lane as a private parking spot.
Bike lane parking is supposed to be on the Toronto Police Services Board meeting agenda for November 19th.
Please write into the TPSB in support of increased enforcement of no stopping/parking in bike lanes. Send your emails of support to Joanne.Campbell@tpsb.ca and alok.mukherjee@tpsb.ca.
It is important to include specific examples of what risks you faced because of this behaviour.
Here is a link to the letter that got it on the agenda.
http://www.torontocranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/TP...
I've read a number of the posts and it surprises me that the undertone of some of the comments are of that of absolute entitlement. When film crews invade a neighbourhood, it affects everyone in that neighbourhood. When streets are overtaken, they are overtaken. The parking that once existed there, no longer exists, other than for the production crew on that particular set. This temporary invasion means that cars cannot park, or in some instances, cannot use those particular affected streets, This affects everyone, not just those on bicycles, but everyone.
Bicycle lanes are used about 9 months a year (difficult to ride on snow and ice - unless it is in the downtown core) and are bike free for about 3 months.
Miller has indicated that he will not be reoffering for the mayorship. No doubt, this will mean that someone other than Miller and his cronies will be elected.
The film industry creates jobs within this City and should not be comprimised because someone is offended on a Saturday afternoon.
A sense of entitlement is required in activism. It's about making that entitlement a little more visible, to fight off policies that take away our right to the road. City laws put us on that road, therefore we are entitled to full access to it, just as cars are.
As for bike lanes - they'd get used all year round if the city cleared them and the parking spots fully. By not clearing the lanes, cyclists can't use them, and by not clearing the parking spots, motorists use the bike lanes instead (and the city seems to be ok with this, for whatever reason.)
I'm fairly neutral on the subject of production vans. They make good coin for the city. I do however feel that use of the argument "it's my livelihood at stake, let me be" is supremely annoying. It's my personal safety at stake, let ME be.
Bicycle lanes are certainly used by bicyclists 12 months of the year. As are all other road and off road facilities. This "9 months" disinformation pushed by motor vehicle lobbies is disingenious at best. Overtly misleading seems to better describe this gesticulation.
Unfortunately motorists obsess on their own convenience with respect to road use and this is reflected in your comment. Parking a little further from the venue and carrying items a little further so as not to further endanger vulnerable road users is called for here. That you cannot see this as the safety issue it is rather than merely the convenience issue it is to you reflects how selfishly you regard common road use. We are not talking about convenience here! This is a matter of safety. Why should you claim the right to endanger me?
To Rodney
I ride year round. I come from Long Branch every morning to Bathurst St. I have only missed two days this year. It is how I commute.
This notion that cyclists are only out there 9 months of the year is erroneous. Similarily that they only ride in the downtown core in the winter. I see other cyclists daily on my commute.
I have had to fight attitudes like yours and am beginning to have some success. My Councillors assistant agrees that the Lakeshore Bike Lane should be cleared and has put pressure on to have it happen. I have posted it all on this site.
I was a 9 month cyclist for a long time. I began to ride all year once the Martin Goodman Trail was cleared.
Well I'm a everyday rain or shine commuter.
I use roads all the time. Every day. I occasionally drive if the need arises.
However i don't mind if part of the street infrastructure is taken over for special needs.
Whether construction, TV (I watch TV and TV needs locations in cities to be produced, so I won't be a NIMBY about it) or community events.
TV trucks take over roads and bike lanes, it doesn't bother me, it serves a need.
What does bother me when cars randomly park in bike lanes. Those are not special need exceptions.
STALINGRAD
Maybe I'm the odd one out. But frequently streets, sidewalks, etc are closed for movie production - this is just part of living in a city that does have a somewhat active film industry. Why should cyclists get a green-card on never having their infrastructure impeded upon?
Is this annoying? yes, but we need to pick and choose our battles on what we complain about.
If this was an extended closure going on for weeks, then yeah - an alternate would need to be setup like many others have suggested above. But if it's a day or two? use caution and make an alternate route.
It's isn't easy being reasonable, with mechanized gorilla yahoos like Geoffrey giving cycling a bad name..
I'm appalled just reading your account!
On the first of this month, I had a similar disgusting, outrageous interaction with an ignorant police officer -- yesterday I made an official complaint with the OIPRD.
Sadly, it seems too many of Toronto's police officers lack basic knowledge of the rights of cyclists and need to be educated.