Let Infrastructure Committee Know Cycling is Important

Lots of people bike down a roadway on a sunny day

Next week, the City Council’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) will debate several items that could help improve healthy and affordable movement in Toronto. The following items on the agenda are in particular need of support.

Centennial Park Master Plan

The Centennial Park Master Plan update includes a host of changes that will be implemented in the Etobicoke park over the next 20 years, if it is approved. Cycling improvements proposed include a multi-use path along Centennial Park Boulevard (and a road diet) in the west and a bike lane on Centennial Park Road in the east. Many new multi-use paths are proposed within the grounds as well as better signage and curb cuts to make crossing roads easier. These will all make enjoying the park by bike much easier, and Cycle Toronto has three supplementary recommendations:

  1. Prioritize building bike lanes and multi-use paths earlier in the plan so safe mobility is accommodated as soon as possible
  2. Plan to clear all of the bike lanes and multi-use paths of snow
  3. Create safe cycling connections to the south and east
    • Install protected bike lanes on Rathburn Road over Highway 427
    • Upgrade Renforth Drive painted bike lanes with concrete separation
    • Continue the installation of cycling infrastructure from Centennial Park Boulevard onto Mill Road, south to Bloor Street

Email IEC RE: Centennial Park
Sample email at bottom of page

Scarborough Cycling Plan

Scarborough has been largely excluded from cycling improvements in the past, reducing people’s ability to lead healthy lifestyles, decrease transportation costs, and decrease environmental impact. Based on the recent report out of the University of Toronto Scarborough, “The Scarborough Opportunity” (which Cycle Toronto and other organizations advised on), there is now a call for a comprehensive walking and cycling plan for Scarborough, similar to our Move365 Connect Scarborough campaign.

One project in this plan could be a protected bikeway along Galloway Road to connect from Guildwood Parkway (AKA the Waterfront Trail) to Coronation Drive to help make the road safer for concerned residents. Cycle Toronto recommends extending this north past Kingston Road to Lawrence Avenue, which will provide better access to local businesses, Galloway Road Public School, and the ravine system.

Bringing much needed upgrades to public spaces in Scarborough is going to face opposition; we need you to share support for safe cycling and walking in Scarborough. Please, email your support to IEC.

Email IEC RE: Scarborough Cycling Plan
Sample at bottom of page

Improving Winter Access to Parks

Toronto saw a significant expansion of winter maintenance in parks last winter. Now, we could potentially see that expanded further. The proposal would have more facilities maintained during the winter including more snow clearing on multi-use paths that are vital parts of our transportation network. The proposal would also look to explore different snow clearing methods in environmentally sensitive areas, such as our ravines, which cannot be salted due to the environmental impacts. Making our parks more accessible year-round will help people lead healthier, happier lifestyles while enjoying nature within the city limits. Show your support by emailing IEC.

Email IEC RE: Winter Access
Sample at bottom of page

Safe Cycling on Lake Shore E & Lower Don Trail

With the demolition of the Gardiner East ramps and the massive flood mitigation project in the Port Lands comes disruption to one of the busiest multi-use paths in the city: the Lower Don Trail along Lake Shore Boulevard E. This trail connecting Downtown with East York is scheduled to be closed for at least three years. During the closure, a detour is to be provided on Cherry, Villiers, and Commissioners Streets as well as Carlaw Avenue, though the route has not been fully-protected yet.

The project team must ensure that this is a physically protected detour that keeps thousands of trail users safe. If you rely on or use this route, be sure to email so the project team knows how important this is.

Email IEC RE: Lake Shore E trail detour near the Don River
Sample at bottom of page

Sample emails

Centennial Park Master Plan

TO:

iec@toronto.ca, mayor_tory@toronto.ca

CC:

councillor_holyday@toronto.ca, info@cycleto.ca

SUBJECT:

I support 2021.IE25.10 - Centennial Park Master Plan

BODY:

Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

 

There are many great improvements proposed in the Centennial Park Master Plan update. The addition of many cycling routes, signage, and safety improvements throughout the park will make it a much more enjoyable place to be. However, I am concerned about how I will get to the park; I keep thinking of the Automated Speed Enforcement on Renforth Drive right beside the park that racked up over 5,400 speeding tickets including someone going 89 km/h in a 40 km/h zone. I have three suggestions on how to improve accessibility:

 
  1. Install bike lanes and multi-use paths early during the plan to accommodate mobility now
  2. Clear all bike lanes and multi-use paths of snow 
  3. Create safe cycling connections to the south and east
    1. Protected bike lanes on Rathburn Road over Highway 427
    2. Upgrade Renforth Drive bike lanes with physical protection
    3. Continue installation of cycling infrastructure from Centennial Park Boulevard onto Mill Road, south to Bloor Street
 

Thank you,

 

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR POSTAL CODE OR ADDRESS]

Scarborough Cycling Plan

TO:

iec@toronto.ca, mayor_tory@toronto.ca

CC:

councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca, info@cycleto.ca

SUBJECT:

IE25.19 & IE25.20 - I support safe cycling in Scarborough

BODY:

Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

 

I support moving forward with a concrete plan for improving cycling and pedestrian networks in Scarborough. Enabling people to easily walk and bike places will allow my family, my neighbours, and myself to lead healthier and happier lives. It will make it more affordable to get around too! It’s time Scarborough starts to see the investments other parts of the city have already started to see.

 

As part of this plan, I support protected bike lanes on Galloway Road. It will make a good community connection and make the road safer for everyone using it whether they’re driving, walking, using a mobility device, or riding a bike. I’d like to see the project extended north to Lawrence Avenue so that people can better access business on Kingston Road, the ravines, and Galloway Road Public School.

 

Thank you,

 

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR POSTAL CODE OR ADDRESS]

Improving Winter Access to Parks

TO:

iec@toronto.ca, mayor_tory@toronto.ca

CC:

info@cycleto.ca

SUBJECT:

I Support 2021.IE25.11 - Improving Winter Access to Toronto's Parks for 2021-22

BODY:

Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

 

Last year was a big improvement to snow clearing in our city — it made it a lot easier for me to be healthy and ride my bike in the winter — but there’s still a long way to go. Increasing access to parks and park facilities in winter can only improve how healthy and happy the people of our city are. We need to pay special attention to multi-use paths in our parks and ravines as they are a vital part of our transportation network. In many areas, especially outside of downtown, these paths are the only safe cycling routes and people rely on them to get to school and work.

 

Thank you,

 

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR POSTAL CODE OR ADDRESS]

Safe Cycling on Lake Shore E & Lower Don Trail

TO:

iec@toronto.ca, mayor_tory@toronto.ca

CC:

councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca, info@cycleto.ca, MShenker@waterfrontoronto.ca

SUBJECT:

2021.IE25.14 - There must be a safe detour for the Lake Shore E trail

BODY:

Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

 

The Lower Don Trail along Lake Shore E is a crucial route for me. There must be a safe detour in place that is physically protected from large construction vehicles and cars. It must include clear signage and be kept free of dust, puddles, and snow. Please do not close this important connection across the Don River for people walking and cycling without ensuring there is a suitable detour in place.

 

Thank you,

 

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR POSTAL CODE OR ADDRESS]

By ry.shissler@cycleto.ca on Oct 22, 2021

  ConnectScarborough, Centennial Park, winter maintenance, Lower Don Trail, Port Lands, action alert