The City of Toronto’s Innovative Approach to Adding Bike Lanes
Toronto has found a creative solution to navigate around provincial restrictions on implementing new bike lanes. Instead of removing vehicle lanes, the City plans to narrow them to make room for cyclists.
The Ontario government’s Bill 60 had effectively prohibited the creation of new bike lanes that would reduce motor vehicle lanes. However, in the City’s recent Cycling Network Plan update, they detailed a strategy to add over 20 kilometers of bike lanes without breaching the legislation.
By reducing vehicle lane widths to meet safety standards and promote slower speeds, Toronto aims to strike a balance between accommodating cyclists and maintaining car lanes. Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her approval of the compromise, emphasizing the importance of keeping everyone safe on the roads.
One of the upcoming projects includes adding bike lanes along a six-kilometer stretch of Kingston Road. The City’s plans show how they intend to integrate these lanes without compromising the existing vehicle lanes.
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, acknowledged the City’s approach, as long as vehicle lanes are not significantly impacted. The quarterly update on cycling infrastructure projects outlines various initiatives, including new bike lanes, cycle tracks, and multi-use trails, with an estimated cost of $30.4 million.
Keyphrase: Toronto bike lanes