[Monarch Butterfly]

European cities are reducing their "default" urban speed limits to 30 km/h, unless otherwise signed. If the signed speed limit is 40 or 50 km/h or higher, there are segregated cycling lanes.

Toronto needs to change their default speed limit to 30 km/h, down from 50 km/h. Streets can still be signed for speeds over 30 km/h.

If we have to use signs, then start with 30 km/h on residential streets without sidewalks. Since pedestrians have to share their residential streets without sidewalks with SUVs, then reducing the speed limit makes it "safer" for cyclists as well. Streets around hospitals, schools, and parks also should be a good starting point, reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h.

Would be better if residential streets were redesigned ideally for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The current suburban street design is for the "safety" of speeders, so they speed.

If we are forced to remove the cycling lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, then reduce the posted speed limit down to 30 km/h. For safety for everyone.

 

[nfitz]

Toronto needs to change their default speed limit to 30 km/h, down from 50 km/h. Streets can still be signed for speeds over 30 km/h.

They pretty much have in many areas. The 50 default is silly, as most roads are either 30 or 40 - so they need an inordinate amount of signage.

 

[TRONto]

Does the city have numbers for university? I think it's probably the best done section in the city.

I remember during the covid peak when pretty much everything was closed or illegal the daily volume was ~500 per direction?
Though I don't think it's grown substantially or even dropped since then from my own experience


Based off what numbers? The most common source I see is bike share.
My beef was that the bloor *extensions* didn't really grow usage above the initial modest jump (and extra 100-250 people a day)

The University upgrade was just completed and it wouldn't be appropriate to judge from 2024 numbers. As I have stated a few times, it's best to judge Toronto cycling numbers *starting* from summer 2025 (assuming the bike lanes don't get ripped out downtown) as we now have a decent semblance of a protected bike lane network.

 

[TRONto]

Does the city have numbers for university? I think it's probably the best done section in the city.

I remember during the covid peak when pretty much everything was closed or illegal the daily volume was ~500 per direction?
Though I don't think it's grown substantially or even dropped since then from my own experience


Based off what numbers? The most common source I see is bike share.
My beef was that the bloor *extensions* didn't really grow usage above the initial modest jump (and extra 100-250 people a day)

Found usage #s for you. City released a report in November: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-250545.pdf

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

They pretty much have in many areas. The 50 default is silly, as most roads are either 30 or 40 - so they need an inordinate amount of signage.

The gallop is the fastest gait of the horse, averaging about 40 to 48 kilometres per hour (25 to 30 mph). When the horseless carriage showed up, the powers that be decided that no one would need to go faster than that. Instead, it became the "normal" speed for the automobile in cities.

 

[ShonTron]

I don’t get the sense that Martin “How Governing Has Changed Doug Ford” Regg Cohn is well respected by the serious journalists at The Star. But the paper’s opinion section has grown and has shifted right, with people like Matt Gurney and convicted felon Jamie Watt now regular contributors. Even Jen “Relax, Doug Ford Will Be Fine” Gerson’s now writing for the Star.

 

[Northern Light]

I don’t get the sense that Martin “How Governing Has Changed Doug Ford” Regg Cohn is well respected by the serious journalists at The Star.......

I can't speak to what others there have to say........... but I'm not fond of Martin.........he fancies himself an intellectual............and not particularly partisan.

I find him vapid, and lazy. Its not that he's centre-right, or w/e, I can be fine w/that if you do your homework and provide well evidenced thoughts and preferences.

But Martin seems to mistake his musings, impulses and instincts for being well informed, which I find he usually is not.

(we may have had a chat or two over the years........... I gave up on him)

, with people like Matt Gurney and convicted felon Jamie Watt now regular contributors. Even Jen “Relax, Doug Ford Will Be Fine” Gerson’s now writing for the Star.

I certainly don't agree with either Gurney or Gerson across the board, and hell, probably not the majority of the time either.

But both are capable of intellectual coherence and making a thoughtful case for something when the mood strikes them.

Jamie Watt, on the other hand is an openly partisan hack, who has never demonstrated much, if any, intellectual heft.

 

[chrisw]

While there might be too many 30 km/h signs, I think it might be a good idea. As there will be people who don't know that the speed limit is 30km/h.

 

[nfitz]

While there might be too many 30 km/h signs, I think it might be a good idea. As there will be people who don't know that the speed limit is 30km/h.

This is true. Especially as it reminds people frequently.

 

[UntitledCyclist]

Wow, this forum really slows down in the winter, eh? Not that I'm adding much. Just less new infrastructure to discuss I guess, and folks who hang up the wheels for a bit.

I am wondering if anyone has more specifics on where Doug Ford is planning to remove Bloor West bike lanes? I see that the passed Bill 212 itself just says "Bloor Street" – not even Bloor West – so does that indicate Ford is planning to remove all 14 km of lanes on Bloor, but leaving the Danforth as is? This makes little sense to me, but neither does anything about this plan. I'm hoping for any fact based intel about the planned removal locations, rather than assumptions, but I'll take what I can get!

Gotta figure out where the resistance will start.

 

[Northern Light]

Wow, this forum really slows down in the winter, eh? Not that I'm adding much. Just less new infrastructure to discuss I guess, and folks who hang up the wheels for a bit.

I am wondering if anyone has more specifics on where Doug Ford is planning to remove Bloor West bike lanes? I see that the passed Bill 212 itself just says "Bloor Street" – not even Bloor West – so does that indicate Ford is planning to remove all 14 km of lanes on Bloor, but leaving the Danforth as is? This makes little sense to me, but neither does anything about this plan. I'm hoping for any fact based intel about the planned removal locations, rather than assumptions, but I'll take what I can get!

Gotta figure out where the resistance will start.

Normally, this would actually be a fairly busy time as the City pushes consultations out the door in advance of construction season.

For obvious reasons, this year is different.

A lot of projects have been publicly paused.

Some privately as well, but many are still being worked on quietly, but with the notion that there needs to be more go-forward clarity before the projects are pushed to consultation/tender.

 

[northyorker1]

Found usage #s for you. City released a report in November: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-250545.pdf

View attachment 626170

If I'm reading this correctly, even the best performing bike lanes (College) have only 1 bike per minute, per direction, on average? (3710 / 24 / 60 / 2)
What a waste.

 

[BejewelledCarp]

If I'm reading this correctly, even the best performing bike lanes (College) have only 1 bike per minute, per direction, on average? (3710 / 24 / 60 / 2)
What a waste.

You are reading it wrong. That is about the University bike lanes, not College. The 3710 is the average daily cycling volume on University Ave between College and Gerrard in August 2024.

It seems that in that stretch, in Aug 2024, there was an average of 2.6 cyclists per minute. That seems pretty good to me, especially considering that is over 24 hours... the majority of those trips are probably during weekday working hours.

Also, how is it a waste? A waste of what? This road is still a multi-lane highway with parking.

 

[northyorker1]

You are reading it wrong. That is about the University bike lanes, not College. The 3710 is the average daily cycling volume on University Ave between College and Gerrard in August 2024.

It seems that in that stretch, in Aug 2024, there was an average of 2.6 cyclists per minute. That seems pretty good to me, especially considering that is over 24 hours... the majority of those trips are probably during weekday working hours.

Also, how is it a waste? A waste of what? This road is still a multi-lane highway with parking.

2.6 cyclists per minute in both directions, so only 1.3 per minute per direction, in August. Conveniently omitted stats for January/February.

 

[UntitledCyclist]

Normally, this would actually be a fairly busy time as the City pushes consultations out the door in advance of construction season.

For obvious reasons, this year is different.

A lot of projects have been publicly paused.

Some privately as well, but many are still being worked on quietly, but with the notion that there needs to be more go-forward clarity before the projects are pushed to consultation/tender.

Thanks. Can you provide any list or highlights of what has been "publicly paused?" (never mind privately). It's an obvious knock-on effect of the horrendous meddling of this foul and corrupt provincial government, but I haven't heard much from the city about pausing anything – not that that they would spend much time on that kind of PR.

What it says to me is the impacts of this policy will go far beyond whatever they deign to rip out (which I still don't clearly know) to cast a chill on years of previously planned and studied bike installations. It's a generational fuck up that will make it harder for those of my generation as we get older, to maintain a more carbon friendly, and healthy biking lifestyle, and will make it harder still for younger folks like my kid, who are coming up now in an anti-cyclist bikelash environment. It's just so heartbreaking.

**ETA: I sort of meant to post over on the OTHER cycling forum about protected lanes. Even though this issue goes beyond that focus, that channel seems to be more active in general, and a better place for specifics**