Changes to route along Taylor Creek / Don Valley
I was cycling along Taylor Creek today and was disturbed to find that concrete slabs have been placed along the path blocking the access to the car park at the DVP end. Bicycles and pedestrians are being funneled off the road and onto a footpath. New road markings and signs have also appeared. Recently the road under the DVP was repaved and a new, raised footpath was installed. This footpath is narrow and goes around a blind corner so it is not surprising that cyclists are being instructed to dismount when using the footpath. What is surprising is that a shiny new sign is in place identifying the footpath as a "shared" cyclists and pedestrians path and the intention is clearly to force cyclists to get off the road and walk along the path thru this section. I would have preferred them to have designated the footpath for pedestrians and put up warning signs to cyclists and motorists to beware of oncoming traffic around the bend. This is a heavily used commuter trail and it doesn't look like anyone has actually assessed the impact of what they are doing (no surprise I guess!)
Does anyone know if we are legally required to use the footpath rather than the road? Will I get a ticket if I ignore the signs?
I am familiar with that stretch and understand your concern. I can't answer your questions, though.
But to get the issue addressed, I'd suggest you take it forward to the monthly TCAC meeting at city hall (with photos and a sketch of the site) and ask for answers. Stress the safety concern and let the committee take it through the City's bureaucratic labyrinth for resolution..
So after bicycles are guided onto this footpath that is a "please dismount" zone at the Taylor Creek parking lot, how do they get to the Don trail north or south? Where does this footpath lead to? Cyclists have to leave it and get back on the roadway at some point....
At the T-intersection just to the west of the underpass, the northbound trail goes along the northbound road over the old concrete arch bridge. The southbound trail comes north off the westbound road to the west of the T-intersection with the northbound road. (Boy, you'd think this would be easier to describe!)
What I'm getting at is that access to both the northbound and southbound Don trail means you have to ride on the roadway. That's the same roadway that you're not supposed to access at the Taylor Creek parking lot.
Unless the City has designated the roadway to the parking lot as autos-only, I don't see any legal issues riding along it. You have to ride along it as part of the Don trail anyway.
The barriers are a really bad idea. I bet that there will soon be dirt paths going from the Taylor Creek path to the parking lot. If there's a curb, I'm sure cyclists will be jumping it.
I kind of doubt that TCAC would be a useful venue for this. The Bike Union, and local bicycle user groups, would be a better place to start.
You've got the key player in bike infrastructure planning right in the room to talk to - Dan Egan, "manager of the city’s cycling infrastructure and programs" . Your presentation shows that the recent work in the park is unacceptable to cyclists as it creates safety issues and defeats the purpose of bike planning. The committee members are cyclists and understand the issues and will be supportive to your cause.
I suppose Dan will explain the background WHY this screwy design was done. I would not be surprised if it was the parks department that is responsible for the implementation and he may wash his hands as it's out of his bailiwick.
This is the chance for the committee to accept the problem and run with it. This can take the shape of calling upon the originators of the atrocity to stand in front of the public at the next meeting and explain their works. That is the chance to get a commitment for change.
It will take a little time, but the city is a complex animal and if you want to rectify a poor planning decision, you need to put in effort and time. Sorry...
By the way, key advocates for cycling will all be in the same room: the bike union, TCAT, Anthony, Hamish, and a few other regulars of that Monday evening event.
Hi Guys,
This is because of the Coxwell Sewer Project. The park road under the DVP was infact deepened and strengthened to allow heavy earthmoving equipment to pass and reach the jobsite at the end of the parking area. The footpath was maintained to allow pedestrians and cyclists and all park users to safely pass even when a piece of heavy machinery was in the underpass. The jersey barrier (concrete slab) is for your protection, and the safety of all park users. Now, if you wish to carry on your complaint:
1) Call 311 Toronto.
2) Email Parks, Forestry & Recreation. Dan Egan is with Transportation Services, not PF&R. The best person to speak with might be a staffer named Roger Macklin. However, 311 Toronto will also be able to direct you to the proper person.
3) Email Councillor Ootes. It's in his Ward (29).
4) Email 29bikes.ca , Ward 29's Cyclist Union group.
5) Relax. No one is forcing you to do anything; you are equally within your rights to use the park road as a vehicle, or the multipurpose shared path as a recreational cyclist. Either way, cyclists must yield to pedestrians in parks, and it's a good idea to ring your bell constantly or whistle a tune or call "cyclist" or "rider" as you go around that "blind" corner. And be prepared to yield way yourself.
The Coxwell Sewer Project will be complete in a short while. Bear with it.
Brian
Looks like you got the insights that explain the whole thing. Good advice - hats off to you!
Sorry, I should have chilled out for a day before starting this thread - I went through again this morning and it's not as bad as I thought. They were actually laying the concrete slabs as I went past yesterday and I had to squeeze through a narrow gap- this morning it is clear that you can cycle past quite easily. So long as there are no legal issues with ignoring the "shared path" signs then all is well with the world! On the plus side the newly paved surface is wonderful.
I still think the signage is wrong - it's not a shared path, it's a pedestrian walkway (which has improved safety for pedestrians and children on bikes, no question!).
....wasn't so good. I made a deputation about the Boulevard Club bollards on the Martin Goodman Trail. So did another group. So that was two deputations. Dan Egan said "I think it's fine" and TCAC shuffled off some concerns to other committees. Needless to say, nothing was done until the bollards had to be removed to do winter snow removal.
I did a thorough presentation (as much as five minutes would allow, anyway) and got nowhere. That was a few years ago. Maybe things have changed, but I'm not holding my breath.
I rode up there today.
There is no reason you couldn't ride on the road. The supervisor of a City of Toronto construction crew pointed out that it wouldn't be fun to encounter construction machinery on the narrowed road.
Yes, it does say "Cyclists must dismount under the bridge". In about five minutes, I saw almost ten cyclists ride through (and this is at 11AM on a workday!) and none dismounted. So there! I don't know what will happen when it really gets busy on a weekend afternoon, though.
The pathway appears to be a raised berm, held together by an overall covering of asphalt. It does not look permanent. (Whoops, time's up on this computer)