.. in memory of cyclists lives lost at the hands of bureaucratic ineptitute/incompetence/uncaring. That policy can be sold to the highest bidder as it is every time bike lanes are rented out to self interests and the safety of users is abandoned in the interest of corporate profit.
When an already late and underbuilt bicycling plan is further weakened by the self interests of councillors who won't have their fellow truck drivers inconvenienced by being expected to be held accountable and accept bicyclists on Horner Ave. When parking is tolerated to a level bike lane markers are no longer installed as on South Kingsway. When Roncesvalles is designated for redesign with all of the present effective bicycling zone earmarked for removal for the benefit of larger sandwich boards on the sidewalks while TTC drivers are getting away with hit and runs on bicyclists . http://sockpuppet.ca/blogsplat/?q=node/13.
Some of us will be hit this year. Some of us will be hurt. Some of us will be hurt badly. Some of us will never be seen by our loved ones again.
Lay flowers on the city's banner on the railway grade separation at the foot of Roncesvalles Ave in memory of what was and what should have been and what has been and is promised and repromised before being finally designated for the benefit of motor vehicles.
Ward 6 is represented by Councillor Mark Grimes, who is best known to cyclists for his opposition to bike lanes on Annette St. at the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in September 2008. He also blocked bike lanes on Horner Ave., even though it was on the bike plan and is a road that allows no parking. He reasoned that it was too dangerous for cyclists because so may trucks turn at the corner of Browns Line and Horner. Councillor Grimes has first hand experience with this: Before entering politics he was president of his family trucking firm which routinely uses Horner Ave. “I've been in the trucking business, I know the turning radii of the trucks, it's too dangerous, I know somebody is going to get killed," he says. This has already happened even without the lane. The stoplight at Beta St. was installed because a pedestrian was killed there. Horner is a favourite for police speed traps with cars routinely being clocked at 40 to 50 km over the speed limit. All compromise solutions were ignored and the issue is back in the “study” phase. There is not yet a strong enough cycling community to get the type of support that led to action on Annette St.
Sounds like perfectly logical reasoning on Grimes' part. I'd want to pause and rethink the area too. However, it should be a situation where they go back to the drawing board and say "ok, so how can we control the traffic, pedestrians and cyclists in that area in a manner that makes it much more safe?"
He's just outright dashing all hopes. This kind of mentality from government reps the world over is disturbing and common.
Instead of saying no, come up with a solution that works for all. These are basic kindergarten social skills, doods.
Grimes is likely afraid that **any **changes will adversely affect traffic operations (at least as far as trucks go) on Horner.
The reality is that Bike Lanes would have minimal impacts to motor traffic operations on Horner, and most of these would be positive. However, a signifigant increase of cyclists on the road could have negative impacts for truck's turning movements. But I don't think that there's enough overall population and/or densiity of destinations to warrant *that* specific fear. And the reality is that Queens Quay (between Bathurst and Spadina) gets more truck traffic (specifically cement trucks, but still...) than Horner does. And more bus traffic, too. Probably more traffic overall. Queens Quay also has narrower motor traffic lanes and narrower bike lanes than what was poropsed for Horner. Yet Queens Quay currently works just fine. But that level of detailed traffic analysis has not yet been entered into the public record, and is likely something that advocates would have to take on themselves as Grimes would likely not support anything that could potentially support bike lanes on Horner.
Grimes may also be fearful of liability of the truck's operators. (ie the driver's and his company's) But I don't know for sure.
Yes, Horner's bike lanes are off limits. At least as long as Grimes is in power. Or until we can mobilize signifigant community support. Perhaps both! :-(
Doesn't City Hall decide on the approval of Bike Lanes? So Grimes (Councillor - Ward 6) doesn't have the authority to decide on Bike Lanes on Horner, he just gets his vote in Council.
I recall when Annette got approval that there was stiff opposition from Ward 13 Councillor Bill Saundercook. but City Hall approved the Bike Lane with a vote of 22 to 11.
Grimes was successful in getting the Bike Lanes on Horner deffered from the last Public Works Committee meeting on September 8th. Let's turn up the heat in time for the next meeting.
200 letters/e-mails were sent to City Hall in favour of the Annette St. Bike Lane - why wouldn't it work on Horner? Its a suitable roadway for a Bike Lane - and it would be a nice contribution to the Bike Plan.
Horner was brought forth for approval last year at the PWIC within an omnibus, but Grimes had it pulled out of that set while Renforth went forward at the same time. I suspect that this is _part_of the reason why he's no longer on the PWIC committee.
Staff are ?required/expected? to "negotiate" with the individual councillors on design and other matters that affect their ward before "surprising" councillors with these things at committee meetings. As Grimes made it quite clear that he could not support bike lanes on Horner, it's simply off the map (as previously described)
The new streamlined process makes it easier for staff to gain the approvals, but they end up doing a lot of their work in secret behind closed doors with each of the councillors, so we no longer know what ideas are being brought forth nor are we able to organize any support because of the short lead times involved. We now only find out about proposed bike project when the agenda for the PWIC meeting comes out.
Actually, Dan Egan does sometimes hint at some of the projects (something about Bloor/Danforth) at the TCAC meetings, however he's taken to playing his cards very close to his chest, and only lets out vague hints of what might be coming out of the City. We should expect some bigger announcements coming out during Bike Month. On the other hand, Gary Welsh is excited by what Dan and his team are doing, and gets giddy talking about it. Gary has been somewhat more willing to leak some of the things they've been working on, like bike trails along Hydro Corridors, however this will require provincial support, so it may become a longer-term project.
Get off! See progress. Statistically two unfortunate folks will die on their bikes this summer. This fine hedgerow (in photo) might just go along way to making that only one death. It faces car drivers remember and reminds them to watch out for unfortunate cyclists and sitting-duck pedestrians.
Don't look back in anger... look ahead and honour those who have lost their lives with a more positive attitude toward change.
Sir. The only progress is increased assertiveness within the bicycling and pedestrian communities. The resistance to accomodating bicyclists and other vulnerable road users including pedestrians on our "public" roadways and sidewalks has for the most part garnered lip service from the city and province. Sidewalks are still treated as parking areas by motorists. Bicyclists are still expected to get off roadways by motorists.
The city has made bold moves in the past. Among them giving the Royal York Rd bike lanes to Toronto Traffic for widening the road. Giving the South Kingsway bike lanes to motorholics for parking.
The Weston Rd and Scarlett Rd grade separated bikeways are but memories. I'd used these in my youth despite they were clearly in decline due to lack of maintenance even then. Bicycling Eglinton was a nightmare even then. MGT connected across the Harbour Castle for a time.
The Scarlett Rd bikepath was absconded by a golf course. The Harbour Castle broke MGT by using it for parking, then later by removing its on premises cab stand. Taxis took to standing on what had been the diamond lane.
The upside is it is the vigilance of the bicycling community that keeps a modicum of bicycling tolerance happening in this city. The downside is the motor vehicle insidioustry that is fighting this and buying the votes of councillors at every turn.
Comments
Jacob L.
Nice Shot Walking, cycling,
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 13:07Nice Shot
Walking, cycling, public transit all in one.
Anonymous (not verified)
Urban Repair Squad!
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 13:26http://urbanrepairs.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-easter-from-urs.html
These people do fine work.
Kevin Love
URS at Royal York
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 13:50I see that the URS's "bicycles permitted" sticker is still next to the main door at Royal York subway station.
geoffrey
What an excellent place to lay a wreath ...
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 15:42.. in memory of cyclists lives lost at the hands of bureaucratic ineptitute/incompetence/uncaring. That policy can be sold to the highest bidder as it is every time bike lanes are rented out to self interests and the safety of users is abandoned in the interest of corporate profit.
When an already late and underbuilt bicycling plan is further weakened by the self interests of councillors who won't have their fellow truck drivers inconvenienced by being expected to be held accountable and accept bicyclists on Horner Ave. When parking is tolerated to a level bike lane markers are no longer installed as on South Kingsway. When Roncesvalles is designated for redesign with all of the present effective bicycling zone earmarked for removal for the benefit of larger sandwich boards on the sidewalks while TTC drivers are getting away with hit and runs on bicyclists . http://sockpuppet.ca/blogsplat/?q=node/13.
Some of us will be hit this year. Some of us will be hurt. Some of us will be hurt badly. Some of us will never be seen by our loved ones again.
Lay flowers on the city's banner on the railway grade separation at the foot of Roncesvalles Ave in memory of what was and what should have been and what has been and is promised and repromised before being finally designated for the benefit of motor vehicles.
anonymous (not verified)
More on Councillor Grimes and his record on bike lanes
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 14:10Ward 6 is represented by Councillor Mark Grimes, who is best known to cyclists for his opposition to bike lanes on Annette St. at the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in September 2008. He also blocked bike lanes on Horner Ave., even though it was on the bike plan and is a road that allows no parking. He reasoned that it was too dangerous for cyclists because so may trucks turn at the corner of Browns Line and Horner. Councillor Grimes has first hand experience with this: Before entering politics he was president of his family trucking firm which routinely uses Horner Ave. “I've been in the trucking business, I know the turning radii of the trucks, it's too dangerous, I know somebody is going to get killed," he says. This has already happened even without the lane. The stoplight at Beta St. was installed because a pedestrian was killed there. Horner is a favourite for police speed traps with cars routinely being clocked at 40 to 50 km over the speed limit. All compromise solutions were ignored and the issue is back in the “study” phase. There is not yet a strong enough cycling community to get the type of support that led to action on Annette St.
dash (not verified)
Sounds like perfectly logical
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 15:07Sounds like perfectly logical reasoning on Grimes' part. I'd want to pause and rethink the area too. However, it should be a situation where they go back to the drawing board and say "ok, so how can we control the traffic, pedestrians and cyclists in that area in a manner that makes it much more safe?"
He's just outright dashing all hopes. This kind of mentality from government reps the world over is disturbing and common.
Instead of saying no, come up with a solution that works for all. These are basic kindergarten social skills, doods.
Darren_S
Horner off limits?
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 21:18So is Horner off limits to cyclists? It already has taken one cyclist's life.
I do not understand his radii position. Is it not universal to every truck at any corner it takes?
anthony
Sorry to correct you...
Mon, 04/20/2009 - 00:26It's taken at least two cyclists lives since I've moved to the area ten year ago. A young boy and a girl.
Darren_S
Wish...
Mon, 04/20/2009 - 10:48you were wrong.
Maybe Grimes will make it mandatory for all trucks using Horner to use sideguards?
anthony
Horner Opposition
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 03:44Grimes is likely afraid that **any **changes will adversely affect traffic operations (at least as far as trucks go) on Horner.
The reality is that Bike Lanes would have minimal impacts to motor traffic operations on Horner, and most of these would be positive. However, a signifigant increase of cyclists on the road could have negative impacts for truck's turning movements. But I don't think that there's enough overall population and/or densiity of destinations to warrant *that* specific fear. And the reality is that Queens Quay (between Bathurst and Spadina) gets more truck traffic (specifically cement trucks, but still...) than Horner does. And more bus traffic, too. Probably more traffic overall. Queens Quay also has narrower motor traffic lanes and narrower bike lanes than what was poropsed for Horner. Yet Queens Quay currently works just fine. But that level of detailed traffic analysis has not yet been entered into the public record, and is likely something that advocates would have to take on themselves as Grimes would likely not support anything that could potentially support bike lanes on Horner.
Grimes may also be fearful of liability of the truck's operators. (ie the driver's and his company's) But I don't know for sure.
Yes, Horner's bike lanes are off limits. At least as long as Grimes is in power. Or until we can mobilize signifigant community support. Perhaps both! :-(
Seymore Bikes
One Councillor = One Vote
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:19Doesn't City Hall decide on the approval of Bike Lanes? So Grimes (Councillor - Ward 6) doesn't have the authority to decide on Bike Lanes on Horner, he just gets his vote in Council.
I recall when Annette got approval that there was stiff opposition from Ward 13 Councillor Bill Saundercook. but City Hall approved the Bike Lane with a vote of 22 to 11.
Grimes was successful in getting the Bike Lanes on Horner deffered from the last Public Works Committee meeting on September 8th. Let's turn up the heat in time for the next meeting.
200 letters/e-mails were sent to City Hall in favour of the Annette St. Bike Lane - why wouldn't it work on Horner? Its a suitable roadway for a Bike Lane - and it would be a nice contribution to the Bike Plan.
anthony
Councillors are still Kings in their domain
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 12:21Horner was brought forth for approval last year at the PWIC within an omnibus, but Grimes had it pulled out of that set while Renforth went forward at the same time. I suspect that this is _part_of the reason why he's no longer on the PWIC committee.
Staff are ?required/expected? to "negotiate" with the individual councillors on design and other matters that affect their ward before "surprising" councillors with these things at committee meetings. As Grimes made it quite clear that he could not support bike lanes on Horner, it's simply off the map (as previously described)
The new streamlined process makes it easier for staff to gain the approvals, but they end up doing a lot of their work in secret behind closed doors with each of the councillors, so we no longer know what ideas are being brought forth nor are we able to organize any support because of the short lead times involved. We now only find out about proposed bike project when the agenda for the PWIC meeting comes out.
Actually, Dan Egan does sometimes hint at some of the projects (something about Bloor/Danforth) at the TCAC meetings, however he's taken to playing his cards very close to his chest, and only lets out vague hints of what might be coming out of the City. We should expect some bigger announcements coming out during Bike Month. On the other hand, Gary Welsh is excited by what Dan and his team are doing, and gets giddy talking about it. Gary has been somewhat more willing to leak some of the things they've been working on, like bike trails along Hydro Corridors, however this will require provincial support, so it may become a longer-term project.
anthony
Sideguards? How about "Trains"?
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 03:48You think grimes *wants* sideguards? He was salivating at the idea of running "Trains" -- on our roads!
I thought we already had a rail network for trains, but Nooo. Soon we'll see these cyclist killers on our streets!
dramaturge (not verified)
dink, dink, double dink
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 11:00RE: lay a wreath...
Get off! See progress. Statistically two unfortunate folks will die on their bikes this summer. This fine hedgerow (in photo) might just go along way to making that only one death. It faces car drivers remember and reminds them to watch out for unfortunate cyclists and sitting-duck pedestrians.
Don't look back in anger... look ahead and honour those who have lost their lives with a more positive attitude toward change.
dramaturge
geoffrey
Two deaths too many, ill considered motor mutilations aside
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 19:58Sir. The only progress is increased assertiveness within the bicycling and pedestrian communities. The resistance to accomodating bicyclists and other vulnerable road users including pedestrians on our "public" roadways and sidewalks has for the most part garnered lip service from the city and province. Sidewalks are still treated as parking areas by motorists. Bicyclists are still expected to get off roadways by motorists.
The city has made bold moves in the past. Among them giving the Royal York Rd bike lanes to Toronto Traffic for widening the road. Giving the South Kingsway bike lanes to motorholics for parking.
The Weston Rd and Scarlett Rd grade separated bikeways are but memories. I'd used these in my youth despite they were clearly in decline due to lack of maintenance even then. Bicycling Eglinton was a nightmare even then. MGT connected across the Harbour Castle for a time.
The Scarlett Rd bikepath was absconded by a golf course. The Harbour Castle broke MGT by using it for parking, then later by removing its on premises cab stand. Taxis took to standing on what had been the diamond lane.
The upside is it is the vigilance of the bicycling community that keeps a modicum of bicycling tolerance happening in this city. The downside is the motor vehicle insidioustry that is fighting this and buying the votes of councillors at every turn.
Anonymous (not verified)
repairing poor parking
Sun, 04/19/2009 - 08:21http://englishrussia.com/?p=2568