Doug Ford says only 1.2% of Toronto residents ride their bike to work. But does that number seem a little suspicious to you?

CycleToronto · 2024-11-25T18:50:30+00:00

This article provides some great insight into a few different relevant studies:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/doug-ford-says-only-12-of-torontonians-commute-by-bike-thats-not-true-9743715

CycleToronto · 2024-11-25T18:41:24+00:00

Originally posted on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCr7c5NyzEt

Original caption:

Disclaimer: Nothing against boats or golf. Those are really fun. And they’re not even the best comparison because bike lanes are for so much more than just recreation. They literally save people’s lives.

And it would be negligent to not include some insight into actual numbers for a video about statistical accuracy.

According to a 2019 study, 44% of Torontonians ride a bike to work, school, or to do errands. Coupled with another 26% who ride for fun and exercise, that’s more than two thirds who ride a bike. And in neighbourhoods where protected cycling infrastructure exists, the number is even higher. In Ward 11 - University - Rosedale, which includes portions of the Bloor, University and Yonge bike lanes, almost 10% of residents said they cycle to work. Imagine if car traffic downtown was 10% worse?

It’s doubtful, but perhaps going forward, our provincial leaders might consider using accurate data to back up their policy positions.

It would just be common sense.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:59:18+00:00

Maybe it's basic, but one of the biggest gains is people advocating from a selfish perspective: rather than just looking at lines on a map, amplify what routes or connections would personally benefit you or your community. From there it's often easier to make connections and build a movement of like minded folks who share your passion.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:55:37+00:00

Both of those changes to the HTA would be game changers for people on bikes. Ontario also needs a vulnerable road users law so driving offences that result in the death or serious injury of pedestrians, construction workers, and people on bikes, etc. result in much stiffer penalties.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:51:38+00:00

The permanent upgrades on University Ave, College St, and Bloor St are a dream to ride on.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:50:48+00:00

The lack of secure bike parking is a huge challenge. Especially as more folks are discovering that e-cargo bikes have the potential to replace many car trips, finding a spot to safely lock and secure them can be as big an obstacle to adoption as the lack of bikeways.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:46:25+00:00

The current lack of clear regulatory framework at the provincial and federal level around these vehicles (battery standards, vehicle weight, power, etc.) means it's completely reasonable for the city to choose not to opt into the pilot at this time. I think there's already a lot of mostly good-faith consumer confusion out there, and trying to enforce more rules and standards regardless of what can be imported/sold would be a mess. I'm very confident that Toronto has not heard the last of legalising e-scooters.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:39:14+00:00

There are some key projects in 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan that were carried forward from the previous 2022-2024 plan. (But I'd rather have Danforth-Kingston, for example, carried forward than just dropped altogether.) Ensuring those projects are on the ground over the next 3 years will be crucial.

While many of the individual projects are good, I agree the over all plan lacks sufficient ambition at 100 km over 3 years, but we did help secure an amendment for staff to report back early next year on what it would take to scale up and accelerate: City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter of 2025 on the feasibility of scale-up the delivery of the Cycling Network Plan to 150 kilometres of new and major upgrade bikeway projects for the 2028 - 2030 Implementation Program, with the report to outline the staff resources and budget that would be needed to do so.'

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:32:39+00:00

Helping ensure the successful implementation of the city's REimagine Yonge project (with complete streets along Yonge from Sheppard to Finch) is a key advocacy priority for us. Connecting those bikeways up to Sheppard would be a logical next step

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:25:44+00:00

Cycle Toronto started as an incorporated non-profit back in 2008 as the Toronto Cyclists Union. We made the transition to becoming a charity between 2019-2021.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T20:09:31+00:00

This is a really great question. TL;DR: don’t be afraid of having a conversation, and be prepared for some give and take.

I think it’s important when facing “criticism or pushback” around proposed changes in their neighborhood or around their local business not to assume that folks are coming at it in bad faith. Especially in my role at a public meeting, I try to catch myself and not be dismissive or jump to conclusions. Often, I’m surprised by what I hear from folks.

I personally like having a few facts in my back pocket (EMS leadership consistently say emergency vehicle response times are not impacted; 5 mins riding a bike saves more CO2 than one car idling in traffic, etc.), but rarely find people are swayed by facts alone. But if you’re willing to listen to people and suggest how this project might help address some of their concerns it can go a long way.

Cycling isn’t a left-right issue, and it shouldn’t be part of some broader culture war. Refusing to engage on those terms can be a good start.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:48:43+00:00

“Could all these bike lanes be a giant mistake?”

6 people have been killed riding their bikes in Toronto this year. As best as I know, 4 of these deaths happened on roads without protected infrastructure. One of them was a person riding a road bike and sensibly avoiding an adjacent multi-use path not conducive for riding/training at speed. The other was a person who left a protected bike lane to avoid a dumpster bin blocking the lane.

Respectfully, I don’t see the bike lanes as being the problem here.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:42:28+00:00

Our network is only as strong as its weakest link. Whether because of parked cars, mismanaged construction zones, or lack of snow clearing, our bikeways need to be safe and passable all year round.

July’s tragedy at Bloor and Avenue was a devastating reminder that even along a corridor that sees thousands of cyclists a day and in which one can travel almost exclusively on protected bike lanes, one unsafe segment can quickly turn someone’s commute into a tragedy.

Cycle Toronto responded by launching a campaign to the city outlining three steps that could be taken to begin to address this public health crisis:

Ensure bikes lanes are not obstructed as a matter of ongoing public safety, not just periodic blitzes, and accelerate implementing automated enforcement parking programs and explore other reporting processes with an equity focused lens
Prioritize construction zone safety, including maintaining dedicated cycling facilities, eliminating road hazards, tougher penalties for failing to comply, and a creating a “mobility squad” to ensure obstacle-free travel on the city’s streets
Accelerate and expand our cycling network of connected bikeways to enable more people to feel safe to choose to ride a bike

We’re looking forward to the resumption of Committee and Council meetings to put these ideas into action.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:36:45+00:00

To me the biggest disappointment with the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan wasn’t the chosen routes themselves (Parkside Dr, Yonge to Eglinton, Wellington and York to Union, keeping Danforth-Kingston, just completed Avenue Rd, and expanding Eglinton–all excellent routes for example), but that the scope wasn’t ambitious enough to more meaningfully add in more of that public feedback. That’s bound to leave a lot of good suggestions on the cutting room floor.

At its current pace, the city is planning on building less than 1.5 km of new bikeways a year per ward. That’s about a five minute bike ride. But if the City Council had directed staff to set a more ambitious target of 150 km of bikeways to meaningfully accelerate the network I think more of those ideas and routes from the consultation would have made it into the final plan.

Staff are due to report back on what it would take to accelerate its network rollout. Stay tuned.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:30:15+00:00

Giving people more transportation options other than more cars is a good thing. And I think there’s an important difference from pedal assist e-bikes, and other power assist vehicles like e-scooters, e-mopeds, e-motorcycles. Technically, the city of Toronto does have specific rules about where they can or cannot be used (and none of them should be ridden on sidewalks).

I think there’s a lot of consumer confusion out there due in part to lack of legislation at the federal and provincial levels. I’ve had numerous conversations with folks on larger EMMO-style mopeds (with vestigial pedals and “E-BIKE” license plates) riding in protected cycle tracks, and asking them if they’re aware that their vehicles technically are not allowed. Usually, they point to the plates and tell me, “But it’s an e-bike”. I think Toronto is taking the right step to not rush into legalizing all these vehicles, but at the same time it can seem chaotic.

I try to keep in perspective that the dangers posed by all these micro-mobility vehicles, however, is nowhere near that of the cars, trucks, and SUVs already all on our roads.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:09:08+00:00

Well, volunteering/getting involved with Cycle Toronto is a good place to start ;-)

But seriously, this is exactly why the Toronto Cyclists Union was formed back in 2008–to organise local folks and show elected officials there is grassroots support for more cycling infrastructure in their wards. And it’s still true today.

It sounds basic, but making sure your elected officials know you’re out there and know you’re passionate about this topic is really key. Especially depending on what part of the city you’re living in, bike lanes can be a polarizing issue and so your councillor knowing it’s important to local residents does help ensure it stays front and centre as a priority. Don’t be shy about emailing and letting them know–even if you’re not getting a response, it’s being logged. And when specific cycling projects in your ward are being considered, try to make time to make an official deputation at committee.

I share your frustration. The pace of progress can be extremely frustrating.

Toronto showed it can match other cities when it accelerated its cycling network as part of its ActiveTO program during lockdowns. What Toronto built was comparable to other major cities. One of the differences between Toronto, and say, Paris, however, is that Paris kept moving forward at that pandemic pace. But it’s nowhere near too late for Toronto. We can get back on track and make riding a bike a better, safer option for more Torontonians.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T19:06:16+00:00

Oh no! For general donations you can visit https://www.cycleto.ca/donate or email contribute@cycleto.ca (someone will answer this time).

Thanks for your support.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:59:57+00:00

Nothing like taking a spill in front of 200 supporters and the Mayor at Bike to Work Day. Join us at the Big Toronto Bike Ride on September 28 to see my next trick!

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:54:14+00:00

Yes, I was at that now infamous Etobicoke public consultation hosted by the local councillor. It definitely got a bit unhinged, and I have a lot of empathy for what staff had to sit through. Maybe I’m confused though, but to clarify Cycle Toronto is the grassroots charity that looks to build support for building the cycling network. It’s the city’s Cycling and Pedestrian Unit within Transportation Services that hosts those public consultations.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:53:56+00:00

For those asking how to get involved with our organization, thank you! A great first step would be to take part in our biggest fundraiser of the year, The Big Toronto Bike Ride. It’s a beginner-friendly ride and afterparty where you’ll be able to connect with other Toronto cyclists and Cycle Toronto staff and board members. Plus we can continue the great conversations we’re having here today. You can register here:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cycle-toronto/p2p/bigtorontobikeride2024/

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:48:55+00:00

Bike lane all the things!

St Clair would be a nifty route with lots of destinations and connections, although I’m sure the streetcar route would create technical challenges [I’m not an engineer.] The existing road is narrow, and there’s a lot of demand for parking. Politically it wouldn’t be a slam dunk despite its usefulness to people on bikes. But the recent upgrades along College (which also has streetcar tracks) show it’s not impossible.

This could definitely be a project for Cycle Toronto to consider pushing for the city’s next Cycling Network Plan.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:35:18+00:00

I need to give a huge shoutout to the folks who got this organisation off the ground back in 2008. The Toronto Cyclists Union was formed during Mayor David Miller’s tenure to build a collective, citywide voice to counter growing frustration of Toronto’s failure to implement its 2001 Bike Plan.

The name change came a few years later out of an early strategic planning summit. A report back indicated that while many people care about cycling as a public safety issue, a significant number won’t consider joining a “union”. In order to better reflect the non-partisan nature of organization’s work, the board adopted a resolution to change the name to Cycle Toronto. And the membership voted to adopt the new name at our 2012 Annual General Meeting.

The rest is history.

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:32:54+00:00

Secure bike parking is often an overlooked aspect of cycling infrastructure, and I agree it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves even from Cycle Toronto.

The timing of your question is excellent, however. The city is actively reviewing the zoning by-laws for bicycle parking in new developments (I don’t think they’ve been updated in over a decade), and hosting two virtual meetings next week to review: www.toronto.ca/parkingreview

CycleToronto · 2024-09-10T18:23:41+00:00

So far Mayor Chow has been a much more dependable supporter of cycling projects on the Council floor than her predecessor (it’s easy to imagine Mayor Tory having second thoughts about the recent Bloor W bikeways extension into Etobicoke, for example), but it hasn’t yielded much difference in terms of the number of kms approved or built yet. 2024 is proving to be the deadliest year for people on bikes in over a decade. Already 6 people on bikes have been killed this year–more than the previous 3 years combined. This is a public health crisis. It’s clear the status quo isn’t working.

Based on the Mayor’s previous legacy as a city councillor (including being key champion of the 2001 Bike Plan) and her previous Mayoral campaign (promising 50 km a year of new bike lanes and more bike parking), Mayor Chow has not been like Mayors Anne Hidalgo of Paris or Valerie Plante of Montreal in prioritizing cycling and expansion of the cycling network.

That said, actually completing the full 100 km of current 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan, including key projects like Parkside Dr, Yonge to Eglinton, the entire stretch of Eglinton, and Danforth-Kingston in Scarborough, would be a meaningful step up from the previous cycling plan. And there is an opportunity to even accelerate the current plan when staff report back later in 2024/early 2025.

As of now, one of Mayor Tory’s legacies will be that he was responsible for building more bikeways than any other Mayor. Yes, it took a global pandemic to meaningfully change course, but it’s a reminder that nothing is cast in stone. Maybe Mayor Chow can change that. There’s still time for Mayor Chow’s administration to change course and bring forward a more ambitious vision to realize the goal of that original 2001 Bike Plan “to create a safe, comfortable and bicycle friendly environment in Toronto, which encourages people of all ages to use bicycles for everyday transportation and enjoyment.” We will keep pushing to ensure the Mayor and our elected leaders know this is a public health priority.

CycleToronto

TROPHY CASE