Re: Bike lanes on Bloor have increased driving time and boosted number of cyclists, Feb. 24
Bike lanes on Bloor have increased driving time and boosted number of cyclists, Feb. 24
It’s great news that the bike lane on Bloor is being used by thousands of residents who can now cycle safely in the city’s core.
Motorists who face longer driving times might consider the extra time in their cars both an investment and a cue.
It’s an investment because it allows for the development of a sustainable mode of transport that is healthy, affordable and climate friendly. And it’s a cue for motorists to consider other options like transit, car-pooling, or cycling (even if only for part of their trips).
As a city, we might also finally acknowledge — as other cities have already done — that driving downtown in a single-occupant vehicle is a luxury we can no longer afford.
Albert Koehl, Toronto
I’m very encouraged by the Bloor bike lane data. Nearly two-thirds of residents and businesses say the lanes are acceptable with respect to traffic flow and parking. Sixty-three per cent of motorists now feel comfortable driving next to Bloor cyclists, compared with just 14 per cent in 2015. And the number of cyclists using Bloor has risen by an impressive 36 per cent.
The lanes aren’t perfect; they’ve coincided with a slight delay in car travel times. But staff are working to fix this. In the meantime there’s much to celebrate. In just half a year the lanes have substantially increased bicycle use and made friends with drivers and retailers. What other recent project has done so much good in such a short period?
Gideon Forman, Toronto
The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
