Cycling in Toronto must become safer. It also needs to be about more than just getting from point a to point b. If done right, the addition of stronger cycling infrastructure can be a catalyst for better urban design and neighourhood revitalization.

In Ward 20 residents, institutions and businesses have come together to explore how to make riding a bike downtown safer and more beautiful. There is still detailed design work to be done on individual streets but there is generally strong support to build a comprehensive network of separated bike lanes along the lines of the upgraded lanes on Sherbourne.

- Harbord,Hoskin ave

- Simcoe st

- Peter St

- Wellington st

- Fort York blvd, Bremner

- Portland

Have all been green lighted by the community and city council. They are approved for separated lanes. We are only waiting for the Cycling Unit in transportation to act.

We are also waiting on the results of the downtown transportation study, started in the last term of council, abandoned and now restarted this term, to report out on the future of Adelaide and Richmond streets. There is a possibility for seperated lanes on both or either of these streets. The study will also examine whether these streets remain one-way or revert back to two-way between University and Bathurst.

These to streets are not great places to walk or ride currently.  They are also streets designed as thoroughfares not places to be. We cannot continue tolerate the expressway like approach to using these anymore. The neighbourhood has changed and continues to transform. We need the roads to become complete streets. Destinations in their own right.

Cycling can, in fact, should play a role in this evolution. Separated bike lanes, integrated with a stronger pedestrian realm is a must.

We have set aside funding for streetscape improvements. Bike lanes, bike parking, plantings and connectivity are all important components of a good plan.

I support exploring these issues specifically, and separated bike lanes generally. They are a critical component of the future for the street. But they must form part of a comprehensive re-thinking of the streets and not just a single use and isolated gesture.

If all we build is a bike lane then all we will have accomplished is building a by-pass. This is not good planning nor will it serve riders well. It should never be about getting from a to b. It should be about building complete streets that accommodate choice in as safe and as beautiful a way as possible. Why would we pass by that option? I look forward to moving forward on the proposal. Completely!