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The above is in regards to comments received during the posting of bill 212 (bike lane removal bill for short here), on the Environmental Registry.

The substance from the above link:

1734974360438.png
 
@Northern Light how are you feeling these days with it all?

In one of her year end reviews Mayor Chow was saying she hopes to work with the Premier, called him out saying "we are stronger working together" and hopes to reach a compromise (remove some, keep some).

Now since the Bill passed i don't think I have heard Ford or Prabmeet speak a word of it.

I still think the Etobicoke lanes are gone no matter what but have you heard any other rumblings?
 
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Changes to Bloor bike lanes at Dufferin coming to community council wrt construction (stage 1) of the tunnel to Dufferin Station: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.TE19.22

"City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of the north side westbound bicycle lane, the north side westbound traffic lane, 1.5 metre wide portion of the eastbound left-turn lane, and the south side eastbound bicycle lane on Bloor Street West, between a point 4.8 metres west of Dufferin Street and a point 58 metres further west, from February 28, 2025 to January 31, 2026 inclusive."

"Furthermore, since the time of the original approval, the developer has modified the traffic management plan by reducing the width of the construction staging area, in order to maintain a 1.2 metre wide bicycle lane on the north side of the roadway."


Looks like the lanes on the north side will get protected by a jersey barrier. Covered walkway on the south section for people on the sidewalk

1734980422708.png
 
Changes to Bloor bike lanes at Dufferin coming to community council wrt construction (stage 1) of the tunnel to Dufferin Station: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.TE19.22

"City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of the north side westbound bicycle lane, the north side westbound traffic lane, 1.5 metre wide portion of the eastbound left-turn lane, and the south side eastbound bicycle lane on Bloor Street West, between a point 4.8 metres west of Dufferin Street and a point 58 metres further west, from February 28, 2025 to January 31, 2026 inclusive."

"Furthermore, since the time of the original approval, the developer has modified the traffic management plan by reducing the width of the construction staging area, in order to maintain a 1.2 metre wide bicycle lane on the north side of the roadway."


Looks like the lanes on the north side will get protected by a jersey barrier. Covered walkway on the south section for people on the sidewalk

View attachment 621579
1.2m bike lane? i guess its something, but wasnt there a discussion a few pages back about the minimum width of a bike lane?
 
1.2m bike lane? i guess its something, but wasnt there a discussion a few pages back about the minimum width of a bike lane?

Yes, and generally, that would be considered to be 1.5M for a painted-line version.

1.2M is certainly not something that would be approved as a permanent design.,

Is it arguably wide enough for single-file traffic riding cautiously? I hope so.............. But that's certainly pushing it.
 
Better than the sharrows on the eastbound lane.

I think most bike handlebars are about 70 cm across, so a 1.2 m bike lane gives you 25 cm on each side of your bike. Not a lot if you have to swerve around an obstacle, but better than being in a car lane with drivers trying to beat the light as it's about to turn amber.
 
Aurora is building a MUP on Yonge Street from Bloomington Road to the GO train bridge.

 
A few weeks ago I contacted the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to ask them if we were going to see updated e-bike Regulations to try to separate out 'e-bicycles' and e-bicycles. I noted that california has just improved/changed their Regulations. SEE: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=312.5.&lawCode=VEH


I was pleasantly surprised to get a response today:

"Thank you for your e-mail regarding e-bike regulations in Ontario.

The province recognizes the importance of new vehicle technology as it can potentially expand mobility options for Ontarians and can provide an environmentally friendly way to travel. In Ontario, a power-assisted bicycle (e-bike) is specifically excluded from the definition of motor vehicle under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and is instead deemed to be a bicycle. E-bike operators, just like bicyclists, must follow all the rules of the road as they apply to conventional bicycles, with additional requirements including a minimum operating age of at least 16, mandatory helmet use, a maximum speed of 32 km/h and a maximum weight of 120 kg. In alignment with conventional bicycles, a licence, vehicle registration, plates, or insurance are not required to operate an e-bike. Riders of e-bikes may choose to have insurance coverage under their homeowners or automobile policy. E-bike operators not covered by these policies, may consider obtaining separate coverage, even if it is not required by law. E-bike insurance policies, like bicycle insurance policies, provide coverage for injury, liability and property damage caused by the e-bike or caused to the e-bike.

Furthermore, e-bike operators who do not obey the rules of the road can be charged and fined. In the event of a collision involving a bicycle or e-bike, police will determine if an offence has been committed and lay charges where appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, the cyclist can be held accountable for any damages through the court system.

You may be pleased to know that Ministry of Transportation (MTO) continues to explore enhancements to our e-bike laws within the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024 (SRCA) which received Royal Assent on November 19, 2024. Upon proclamation, these amendments will create regulation-making powers under the HTA to allow e-bikes to be categorized into distinct classes, with each class having prescribed operator and vehicle safety requirements. Please note that any changes to the current e-bike law would be posted to the Ontario Regulatory and Environmental Registry for public feedback prior to finalizing any amendments.

Please be assured that as part of MTO’s commitment to improve road safety and compliance, we regularly review our policies and practices to see if they are in keeping with current research findings and best practices worldwide. Furthermore, we will keep your email on file to inform future considerations on this topic.

Thank you again for sharing your concerns and I hope this information is of assistance."
 
I've seen about 6 people make that mistake in light snowfall, mistaking the bike lane as a right-turn lane.
It doesn't need to be snowing for people to make this "mistake" at Dundas WB turning north onto Broadview. Drivers will occasionally use the bike lane to avoid waiting for the light.
 
Could this be a nascent cycle track staked out along Overlea Blvd?

View attachment 618856

I meant to report back on this.............

The current work will include a partial, but not 'ideal' cycling facility from Millwood to Thorncliffe Drive (West).

So its a short segment, and not being built in its final form, its being built in such a way to simply allow the shift of Overlea to allow for O/L construction. The final version will come later.
 

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