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Toronto's Ambitious Plan: More Bike Lanes Without Losing Car Lanes
4 Dec
Summary
- Toronto proposes over 20 km of new bike lanes by narrowing existing car lanes.
- The plan aims to comply with provincial legislation restricting bike lane construction.
- Concerns include potential parking loss and reduced speed limits on Kingston Road.
Toronto is advancing a significant proposal to introduce more than 20 kilometers of new bicycle lanes, employing a design that narrows existing car lanes rather than removing them entirely. This approach seeks to navigate provincial legislation that previously restricted the construction of new bikeways impacting traffic flow.
The city's strategy aims to connect existing cycling networks, primarily located outside the downtown core, and enhance current infrastructure. While Mayor Olivia Chow emphasizes this as an improved design, not a loophole, provincial officials have indicated support for such innovative solutions that accommodate both vehicles and cyclists.
Despite the ambitious scope, the plan faces some local opposition. Concerns raised by residents and council members include potential impacts on parking availability and reductions in speed limits. The proposal is slated for review by city committees, with potential approval by mid-December.
