More city building

Keeping with the theme of the last post, another essay on a small but significant test of political committment to city building - it ran on the Toronto Star's website opinion page today.

More than bike lanes at stake

Toronto City Council this week will discuss whether to create designated road space for cyclists on Annette Street between Runnymede Road and Jane Street. But that discussion is about more than a few hundred metres of potential new bike lanes in one neighbourhood. It is also a significant test of council's political leadership and commitment to building a better Toronto.

One of the measures of a healthy and prosperous 21st-century metropolis is having efficient and sustainable modes of transportation. With intense traffic congestion throughout our city and an aging public transit system, Toronto has much work to do.

Our challenge is magnified by the growing threat of climate change and the impacts of poor local air quality. Consider that in the last five years alone, Toronto has suffered through 110 "smog alert days." One of the key drivers of smog is carbon emissions created by automobiles. As someone with asthma, I am one of the many who suffer the consequences on these days.

While there is no one solution to these issues, following the lead of such cities as Chicago, Paris and Copenhagen by encouraging greater transportation via bicycle is clearly one component of a successful strategy.

Whether commuting to work, running errands or meeting family and friends, travelling by bicycle is an inexpensive, healthy and environmentally sustainable mode of transit for both individual and city.

In 2001, city council approved a bold plan to increase cycling as a mode of transportation. The centerpiece of the Toronto Bike Plan was the creation of 495 kilometres of new bike lanes across the city.

Bike lanes are intended to create a climate of accommodation on our roads. They provide designated space for cyclists while prohibiting motorists from using them. Cyclists are provided with buffer room between themselves and automobiles, and in turn are much more visible to motorists. Studies show bike lanes reduce cycling accidents and encourage more travellers to choose cycling as their mode of transportation.

However, to date, only 85 kilometres of such lanes have been created. The current debate over continuing a planned bike lane on Annette, westward from Runnymede to Jane, may explain why.

In spite of a city staff recommendation and widespread community support for continuing the planned bike lanes along Annette, city council will be considering a motion from the public works and infrastructure committee – and advocated by the local councillor – to implement "sharrows" instead. Sharrows are glorified pavement markings intended to "encourage" shared use of the roads between motorists and cyclists. No specific designation of bike lanes would be created under this scenario, with a review of the sharrows being held in two years.

The primary concern expressed over the option of extending full bike lanes is that such a move will reduce on-street parking along Annette, a result that some argue will have negative ramifications for area businesses and residents. However, a city staff report indicates that even with the reduced number of parking spaces, there is still sufficient parking to meet demand. In fact, parking will still be provided on one side of the street at all times and the amount of available parking will actually be increased during the high-traffic morning and evening rush hours. Currently, parking is prohibited in this area during these times. That prohibition is eliminated under the proposal for new bike lanes.

Given the facts surrounding these options, the city's own bike plan and the large show of public support for continuing the bike lanes west along Annette, the only impediment to a progressive decision from council is political will.

As a city, we need to ask ourselves, what do we aspire to be? What are the limits of our ambitions? And when opportunities present themselves for positive change, do we move forward purposely or timidly? Council should be encouraged to consider these questions as part of its discussion on new bikes lanes for Annette Street.