{"id":19640,"date":"2019-06-27T14:52:17","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T18:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/?p=19640"},"modified":"2019-07-23T17:34:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T21:34:16","slug":"tcat-responds-to-torontos-cycling-network-plan-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/tcat-responds-to-torontos-cycling-network-plan-update\/","title":{"rendered":"TCAT responds to Toronto’s Cycling Network Plan Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

On June 27, 2019 TCAT made a submission to the City of Toronto Infrastructure and Environment Committee regarding the Cycling Network Plan Update. (IE6,11<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Our submission described TCAT’s support for Toronto\u2019s Cycling Network Plan since it was approved in principle in 2016. However, we are concerned with its slow pace of implementation. The staff report has done an excellent job of developing a plan that can be implemented given the myriad of challenges that have been documented. The plan update includes a range of ways to improve rate of delivery, including more streamlining and neighbourhood clustering of routes and approvals. Addressing these challenges is critical in order to expedite the installation of safe bike infrastructure across the city.<\/p>\n

While we support all of the recommendations put forward by the General Manager, Transportation Services,\u00a0 we highlighted the following in our submission:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Cycling network plans are important for assisting in the process of where bike infrastructure should be prioritized given limited resources and staff capacity. However, the reality in a city like Toronto is that most streets, certainly every arterial street, needs to be made safer for people on bikes. Furthermore, the City\u2019s Complete Streets policy, adopted in 2014, and Ontario\u2019s growth plan, adopted in 2017, provide specific direction for ensuring the needs of all road users of all ages and abilities are reflected in new street design. Each and every time a street is reconstructed presents an opportunity that should not be missed, whether or not it\u2019s on the cycling network plan, to install safe cycling infrastructure.<\/li>\n
  2. Network connectivity is key to building a safe cycling network and extending existing bike lanes is a priority. We support the recommendation put forward by Cycle Toronto to prioritize building protected bike lanes on Danforth and extending protected bike lanes on Bloor West. TCAT was part of the team evaluating the impact of the Bloor bike lane pilot between Shaw Street and Avenue Road. Positive results were found in virtually every indicator that was evaluated in this comprehensive study, and we believe the full implementation of a bike lane throughout this entire corridor is completely warranted.<\/li>\n
  3. The strengthening of the Plan\u2019s focus on safety is welcome, with more detailed analyses of collisions, and initiatives linked to the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. However, safety should be even further prioritized and enhanced in the analysis methodology. Not only is it important to install bike infrastructure where collisions have occurred, but where it is clear that the current road design is not safe enough for cyclists and where people do not feel comfortable cycling. As mentioned earlier, this describes the majority of arterials in Toronto, that currently prioritize the fast movement of cars.<\/li>\n
  4. The plan update notes the overwhelming success of pilot bike lane projects on Bloor, Richmond and Adelaide yet does not feature pilot projects moving forward. Given the host of challenges facing staff in installing permanent bike lanes, pilot projects are an important interim step. The Vision Zero 2.0 Plan Update proposes a program for implementing interim geometric modifications in advance of planned permanent modifications through the use of paint, bollards and other temporary features. This is an extremely important strategy that should be prioritized for improving the safety of people cycling. Cost-effective and easy to install, these temporary features will not only save lives sooner but they provide a fantastic way to try out a design before it\u2019s made permanent. This is an important point of alignment between the Vision Zero 2.0 Plan Update and the Cycling Network Plan update, that could be strengthened.<\/li>\n
  5. The inclusion of the equity lens tool to update the network plan is an important new addition. Safe cycling infrastructure is needed across the entire city, not just downtown. Most people live in suburban environments and most of the short trips are made there. For those living without access to a car, particularly in suburban areas with infrequent transit service, cycling can fill an important transportation gap. In Toronto\u2019s TransformTO plan, the goal is that by 2050, 75% of all trips under 5 km will be walked or cycled. With most of these trips located outside the downtown, there\u2019s no chance we are going to hit that target unless we see change in suburban neighbourhoods.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Overall, we believe the City\u2019s Cycling Network Plan Update will result in progress towards expanding the bike network. We hope the Committee will adopt the recommendations within the Plan, and that City Council will continue to do everything it can to accelerate the implementation of bike infrastructure throughout the City that is safe and comfortable for all ages and abilities.<\/p>\n

    Read the full submission\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The Committee adopted the recommendation with amendments at its meeting on June 27, 2019. It was adopted by City Council<\/a> with amendments on July 16, 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    On June 27, 2019 TCAT made a submission to the City of Toronto Infrastructure and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":19509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19640"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19640"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19685,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19640\/revisions\/19685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcat.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}