As the Rob Ford era gradually—if not gracefully—recedes into memory, the development of cycling routes is again becoming a focus for the City of Toronto, with the Transportation Services division now in the process of developing a comprehensive new 10-year plan for a city-wide cycling network.
The first phase of public consultations is now complete, with over 10,000 Torontonians having completed the city's initial online survey, while over 3,500 cyclists used the City's app to input data from 59,000 bike trips. Feedback and data gathered from public input has guided the creation of the draft map (below) now being used as part of the second phase of consultations.
A screenshot of the current online survey, image courtesy of torontocyclingnetwork.metroquest.ca
With a framework of popular routes drawn up, the City's current, phase two survey asks participants which corridors should be prioritized for new bike lanes and improvements to existing infrastructure. The draft Cycling Network Plan map has identified several of the city's major arteries—including Yonge, Bloor/Danforth, and Lake Shore Boulevard—as candidates for the new, city-wide cycling paths.
An existing bike lane on Adelaide, image by Marcus Mitanis
Following this ongoing round of consultations, phase three will see public meetings and drop-in events to allow direct stakeholders a chance to provide their input, gradually finalizing which new routes should be added, and which existing routes should see significant upgrades.
Public engagement plays a crucial role in determining the future of Toronto's cycling infrastructure, with the improvements outlines set to be roll out over the next decade. The current phase of consultation is under way until July 31st, and a link to the survey is available here.