Comments Off on Bloor Viaduct Safety Report

By Val Dodge, January 13, 2009 7:19 am

Luke Siragusa and the rest of the Ward 29 Bikes team recently produced a professional-quality report (PDF) highlighting the safety issues faced by cyclists on the Bloor Viaduct. Conflict zones with cars exist at both ends of the Viaduct in both directions of travel, making this extremely popular cycling route less safe than it should be.

Luke’s report details the shortcomings of the Viaduct’s cycling infrastructure and offers simple, inexpensive solutions that can be applied in other conflict zones across the city.

It’s a shame that Toronto has let such dangerous conditions persist for so long when many of the fixes that Luke proposes come from the city’s very own bike lane guidelines and standards. Nevertheless, we have real opportunities here to raise awareness among cyclists, show City Hall what’s possible when citizens are engaged, and to improve a conflict zone between cyclists and motorists. Even pedestrians would benefit from improvements at both the east and west ends of the Viaduct.

Luke will deliver a brief presentation about his report to the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee meeting shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Monday January 19, 2009 in Committee Room 2 in City Hall. We hope to see the report’s recommendations adopted this year.

Comments Off on Welcome to Ward 29 Bikes

By Val Dodge, January 13, 2009 6:16 am

Ward 29 Bikes is on the air. Inspired by and affiliated with the Toronto Cyclists Union, we’ve been organizing and planning for several months leading up to our launch. This web site is intended to be a hub of information and activity for cycling in Ward 29. We invite all cyclists in Ward 29 to join us, join the Cyclists Union, and join cyclists throughout all of Toronto in making cycling in the city safe and fun.