Toronto to consider bike-specific traffic signals and bike boxes

Toronto transportation staff has been planning new bike-specific traffic control signals to go along the 30 km of new trails in our suburbs, and for downtown is planning bike boxes at five locations downtown on College, Bloor and Harbord.

The traffic lights will enable cyclists and pedestrians to more quickly cross the major arterial roads when on the trails and will allow cyclists to cross with their own crossing beside the crosswalk. If you happen to live near the new trails in North York and Scarborough, it wouldn't hurt to call your councillor to let them know you think this is a great idea. Let them know that you, as a cyclist, actually exist and happen to live in the suburbs. It's amazing how often councillors claim that no on cycles in their ward.

As for the bike boxes, take a gander at this video on how they work. Bike boxes allow cyclists to filter to the front so they can make quick left turns or merge easily back into the bike lane after the intersection instead of being stuck behind all the cars. There are no right turns on red allowed with bike boxes, but this matters little where there are lots of pedestrians crossing.

From transportation services:

Please note that the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, at its meeting of June 15, will be considering a staff report seeking authority to install 13 new traffic control signals and road alterations to enhance 5 uncontrolled trail crossings, related to 30 kilometres of new trails and 4 kilometres of upgraded trails along the Finch Hydro Corridor, Gatineau Hydro Corridor and CN Leaside Rail Corridor, across the North York and Scarborough Districts. A link to the staff report is provided below.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/pw/agendas/2010-06-15-pw34-ar.htm
PW34.9 "Traffic Control Signals and Highway Alterations - Bikeway Network Trail Projects"

In addition, at its meeting of June 22. Toronto and East York Community Council, will consider a staff report to implement "No Right Turn on Red" regulations at the following intersections. Related to the introduction of bike boxes, and a pedestrian priority phase (scramble).

  • College Street and Spadina Avenue;
  • College Street and St. George/Beverley Street;
  • Harbord Street and Spadina Avenue
  • Harbord Street/Hoskin Avenue and St. George Street; and
  • Bloor Street West and Bay Street.
    http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/te/agendas/2010-06-22-te35-ar.htm
    TEY35.76 "Right Turn on Red Regulations"

    Both report will then be considered by City Council at its meeting of July 6 and 7.

    Anyone wishing to submit correspondence related to either of these reports, or make deputations, should contact the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto ON M5H 2N2 or call 416-392-8016.

    Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these two reports.

herb : 15 years 3 months ago
Tags: bike infrastructure, Bike plan, city hall

Sharing the Bike Lane

Oooooh its Pooooh

In the many years that I have been riding a bicycle in bike lanes, I have had to share them with a lot of things. From rickshaws, to inline skaters, to joggers…oh yeah cars and trucks and those other things, all sorts of things.

I have become pretty tolerant to all forms of these transportations. I still give the stink eye to cars, inline skaters in the bike lane, but for the most part I have made my peace with them. I have discovered that the things I put my hands on turn and I can navigate around most obstacles, except for what I came across this morning.

I have taken to morning rides on my bike before I go to work. It’s about a 20km ride that takes around an hour. Part of the route is over the train tracks on the Sorauren bridge. This morning I almost ran over some horse poo-poo.

This could have been a dangerous and disgusting situation. Nothing worse than wiping out on some manure. Well, I only know one group of people who ride horses in the city and that be the police.

I remember one time asking a cop who cleaned up after their horses when they crapped on the road. He looked down at me from his mount, with disdain in his voice he told me, "that’s what city works is for.” Well, city works is not doing its job and the police are crapping in bike lanes, so isn't it time that we retired these horses?

The only time they are used for anything is to beat on protestors. Do we really need horses in an urban environment now that we have police who can actually ride bikes? With cuts to the city budget, the city can’t afford to clean up after the cops, so maybe we should get the horses to wear diapers, so they can stop crapping in the bike lanes. There is enough to worry about.

Derek Chadbourne : 15 years 3 months ago
Tags: bike lane, bullshit, police

Bike Train Grows again

[Editors: We'd like to welcome the Bike Train staff who'll be updating us on what's new with this unique service.]

The Bike Train has come along way since its inception as a idea in founder Justin Lafontaine's head. The Bike Train now works with 3 rail companies and has routes that criss-cross the province.

Toronto Niagara GO Transit Bike Coaches

The service that began as four weekends of service to Niagara with volunteer staff and a baggage car commandeered for the occasion has now blossomed into a regular service. After 3 years of working with VIA Rail on the Toronto-Niagara route, the Bike Train is now partnering with GO Transit to service cyclists looking for transportation to the Niagara peninsula.

The expanded 2010 schedule now includes Friday evening, weekend and holiday service every weekend between May 21 and September 26. Perhaps more exciting still is the addition of 'bike coaches'. The well marked bike coaches mark a significant shift for GO Transit from a purely commuter rail service, to a holiday and outting service for those looking to escape the city by bike. Each weekend and holiday departure will feature two of the new 'bike coaches', in which the bottom row of seats on the bi-level cars have been removed and racks for 18 bikes have been installed. The Bike coaches bring the number of space for bicycles to 64 per departures, a boon for cyclists and advocates of intermodal transportation.

[img_assist|nid=3975|title=Toronto Niagara Greenbelt Express Bike Train|desc=|link=node|align=center|width=500|height=359]

The Niagara GO Train service provides cyclists with access to the 140 km Greater Niagara Circle Route, countless country roads and numerous entry points to the Greenbelt. For cycling information, visit www.biketrain.ca

The Bike Train continues its expansion on other fronts with new routes to North Bay and Windsor/Essex County. The new routes provide easy and accessible cycling getaways for those looking to get out of town. More information is available on the www.biketrain.ca

Toronto-Niagara *Greenbelt Express *Info

Destinations: Toronto, Exhibition, Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls

Dates: Friday evening, weekend & holiday service from May 21 to Sept 26, 2010
Schedule: visit www.biketrain.ca for more information.

BikeTrain : 15 years 3 months ago
Tags: cycle touring, GO Transit, infrastructure, transit, transportation options