We're getting our Transit City (with hopefully some bikes thrown in)

Our new streetcar?Our new streetcar?The TTC has just put onto display a Bombardier streetcar at the Ontario Science Centre and launched the website My New Streetcar to get the public's feedback on what we want in our streetcars. As the current fleet ages the TTC will be replacing hundreds of them.

And with the recent capital budget devoting more money to transit, and with the other amazingly big news today announced by the province, the TTC will be able to start putting in place their Transit City plan of light rail criss-crossing the city.

Bike hanger on streetcarBike hanger on streetcarIt's our duty at I Bike T.O. to focus on the bike angle: the new buses being purchased will all have bike racks on the front, but we're hoping that there'll be a place for bikes on the streetcar. After all, people might want to transfer at times even if they have a bike.

You can leave your pro-bike racks/hanger comments on the website. (It's probably a given that any new streetcar will be a low-rider with wide doors and thus accessible for wheelchairs, large strollers and, luckily, bikes.)

herb : 18 years 2 weeks ago
Tags: bike-accessible, streetcars, TTC

Next Exit - Anything Better

I took a detour this morning to stop in at the site of the ghost bike where a cyclist was fatally hit one week ago.

It's intersections like this, Bayview and the 401, that make it clear why so many people are stuck driving cars in this part of the city. Not many people have the courage or skills to ride a bike under the 401, with cars changing lanes, squeezing, accelerating and jockeying for first place on the on ramp. So many of the problems in the area become evident when you place yourself at one side of the 401, and try to figure out a good way to cycle to the other side.

Bayview and 401 area mapBayview and 401 area map

There are very few places to cross the 401 in this end of the city. I usually cross at Yonge, 2 km to the west, where there's a small pathway. The nearest crossing to the east is about 2.5 km, but you need to go at least .5 km south to cross a railroad track and cross a river in order to get to that path.

If you live at the densely populated Bayview and Sheppard, and work at Sunnybrook Hospital, you have very few realistic options. You either ride under the 401 with all the Bayview traffic, or don't ride a bike at all (and likely choose to drive a car).

Another physical boundary is the river valley near Lawrence and the Bridle Path neighbourhood. Lawrence ends just east of Bayview, so cyclists are forced onto Bayview to get to Post Road in the north, or to Sunnybrook in the south.

Bayview is a very busy street. Everyone with a car knows that Bayview is faster than Yonge, and sometimes faster than the 404, even though it's often backed up at every intersection. Cars and trucks go from 5 km/h to 80 km/h and back down to 5.

Bayview has a narrow curb lane. A cyclist depends on car drivers to pull well into the left lane to pass. This is usually ok, but pretty intimidating when the cars speed up.

There are all these problems, yet Bayview is the road cyclists choose to use. It's not because it's an attractive route. It's the only choice.

As I stood there this morning, looking at my map for 10 minutes trying to figure out an alternate route, I saw that if I didn't want to take an extra half hour to get to work, I'd have to take Bayview. So I waited for the cars to be held back by a red light and raced under the 401 before anyone caught up with me.

I've added a new section to our forum. It's a place for you to put what you think needs to be the priority project for bike infrastructure in your ward (or the ward you cycle through). Let's face it - the city is not going to implement everything in the whole city all at once. So make suggestions, start a discussion about what are the most critical connections or components needed in your part of the city.

darren : 18 years 2 weeks ago
Tags: advocacy, suburbs

Cyclist Profile - Kirsten the legal aid administrator

Name / Occupation / Age

Kirsten Heyerdahl, Administrator, General Counsel at Legal Aid Ontario, 27

What do you use your bike for?

Commuting to work, getting groceries, getting to my ultimate frisbee games.

How often do you ride?

Almost everyday, but I am still mostly a fairweather biker.

How long have you been commuting by bicycle and what made you decide to do it?

Since April, 2007. I got sick of standing in lines for the streetcar, and seeing the bikers whiz.

Can you give a brief description of your route?

I take the College Street bike lane from Bathurst to University, and then go south along University to Dundas Avenue. The lanes are well paved, though the traffic is heavy -- both on the street and the bikes in the lane! I use my bell often.

What's the best thing about commuting by bicycle?

Not feeling like a sardine on the streetcar.

Any advice for new riders?

Get a bell! It is a great way to communicate with fellow bikers to warn them when you’re passing and an empowering tool when cars are inconsiderately stopped in the bike lane.

What would you say to convince someone who is considering commuting by bicycle to get on board their bike?

It’s a greener way to commute: more green in your pocket and less polluting from commuting.

What do you like about biking in Toronto?

That not only does it get me around quickly, I feel part of a sacred subculture banding against cars!

And dislike?

There are not enough bike lanes, even on major routes! Many cars are not used to sharing the road and some bikers are road hogs too.

What's your favourite piece of cycling kit/clothing/gadget?

My giant sunglasses, so that I block out the sun as well as the grit and dust kicked up by cars.

How could the City help you enjoy riding more?

Increase the number of bike lanes! Create bike lanes in a separate part of the street so that bikes don’t have to share the road with cars.

How did you start biking?

I’ve had a bike since I was a child. I grew up in High Park, so I biked in the park with my family and around the Humber river when I was a teen.

What sort of bike do you ride?

It’s purple 18-speed mountain bike. I got it when I was 13 because I loved the colour. I still love it.

Helmet or no helmet?

Helmet!!! It saves me time on doing my hair too.

Bikelane or no bikelane?

Either, depends on whether it exists or not.

Note on the picture: Kirsten caught my eye as I rode by U of T's Convocation Hall and saw what I thought was someone picking up their degree with their bike on the red carpet! In fact, Kirsten was picking up tickets for her sister's convocation. Her sister has just graduated with a Master's of Art History. Congratulations Kirsten's sister!

Crossposted to Spacing

tammy : 18 years 2 weeks ago
Tags: profiles