consultation

UPDATE: This morning the City posted a West End Bikeways Project Summary (6.4MB PDF) in preparation for the meeting. Read on to see what's coming!

I Bike TO has previously reported on the City of Toronto's "West End Bikeways" project. On Tuesday March 10th, there will be a final meeting at 6:30pm at the Parkdale Public Library where the City will present and discuss some of the bikeway projects that they want to implement in 2009 and 2010.

A summary of the project:

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blockquote>The Toronto Bike Plan recommends a Bikeway Network that spans the city, creating a 2 km grid of routes that are accessible within a five minute ride from all residences. The Bike Plan acknowledges that there is a gap in the Network in the downtown west end, where streetcar tracks on east-west arteries, disjointed local streets, and railway corridors all pose challenges to accommodating bikeways.

Metrolinx, our former GTTA, released two "green papers" today. Both of them take an active interest in cycling as a commuting mode in the Greater Toronto Area.

The papers are available and the consultation is taking place through this website.

"Green Paper #2" looks at mobility hubs.

"Creating easier links between walking, cycling, auto use and public transit is a key element in improving people's ability to get around," MacIsaac said. "These hubs often foster vibrant employment and residential areas, and draw amenities such as entertainment, shopping and family services to their vicinity. This mix of land use and transportation can be mutually supportive and should be encouraged."

"Green Paper #3" is specifically interested in cycling and pedestrian issues.

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blockquote>"We have engineered walking and cycling out of many parts of our region