Dear Councilors,
As a cyclist in the City of Toronto, I find it unfathomable
that "Sharrows" are being considered for the Annette St. bike lane from
Runnymede to Jane!!
A dedicated lane is the absolute minimum requirement to
provide some level of safety for the cyclist in a fundamentally hostile
transportation environment.
You do not endorse that pedestrian traffic "SHARE" the roadway
and like pedestrians, we also do not have a 2000 Lb suit of armour protecting
us.
Therefore, please listen to the majority of the residents who
voted for a bike lane in order to maintain a minimum safety level for cyclists.
Thank you for your action on this matter,
Annette St
Dear council,
Cycling home in the -1C chill tonight, I stopped at a red
light along Annette street. I surveyed my surroundings, enjoying my connection
with our city in the close up way that bicycling affords, and wondering at the
same time when the construction on Annette would be finished and the
co-existence between bikes and cars could begin. Funny enough that at that
moment a notice caught my eye concerning the very space i was occupying at that
moment. The notice and question about the future of full bike lanes all along
Annette (especially between Jane and Runnymede) left me feeling compelled to
write you tonight.
Drivers and walkers, citizens of all stripes, all want to be
able to feel safe on the streets of our city. Together we need to make effective
choices to reflect this. I believe in many cases you have already done this.
Full bike lanes along such a popular and lovely thoroughfare as Annette give
everyone the ability to travel safely and share the road in the most effective
way possible. Cars will continue to travel in the general centre of the road as
they are accustomed to do and will know that bicycles will have a designated
path of their own. Cyclists - including singles, parents with tots in tow and
young children who all live in the neighbourhoods north and south of Annette -
will have a reasonable and safe path to occupy.
Business owners along the route will also benefit from the
increased variety in traffic as cars can still access parking when necessary and
now cyclists will get a great view of all the things they need that are on offer
at these shops.
I believe the majority of you (and on some level, all of you)
find this choice as clear as I do.
Please support the continuing positive steps you have been
making in our city by choosing full bicycle lanes all along Annette street. We
can enjoy this safe and effective choice together, and share the many wonderful
neighbourhoods that span this little corner of Toronto.
Sincerely,
Junction resident
If studies show that parking availability is not an issue on
Annette.....
If the majority of local residents support proper lanes.....
If the city is serious about expanding bike lanes.......
There is only one possible choice for council.
Ward 13
I am passionately For any new bike lanes that can be
implemented in the city of Toronto. I've recently moved from Montreal where
their city has made significant progress in upgrading bicycling infrastructure
and recognizing the importance of supporting the cycling community. Toronto's
cycling infrastructure is, to me, slightly embarrassing for a city of it's size
and reputation.
Any new bike lanes that can be implemented in a reasonable
manner would help give cycling more exposure and help signal to drivers that
cyclists have a right to the road. Cycling can be a very safe, enjoyable leisure
activity - the implementation of more bike lanes would help display to citizens
of Toronto that cyclist safety is an issue the City cares about and, I believe,
would help coerce more drivers out of their protective, vehicular shells.
Please reconsider implementing the lane proposal for Annette
street.
SInce I live in the area, and would like to be able to use my
bicycle safely to get around my neighbourhood, I am shocked and saddened by your
recent backward-thinking decision to NOT add bike lanes to Annette between Jane
and Runnymede. Annette is a 40 km/hr route along most of it, do we really need
two lanes in each direction? Allow parking in the curb lane except at bus stops,
and add a bike lane between parking and car lanes.
Ridiculous. Why don't you approve a super "smart" centre to
deface the waterfront while you are at it?
It is my strong desire that the ‘full bike lane ‘ option be
chosen. I have two small children , 6 and 9 yrs. old. We frequently use Annette,
from Jane to Runnymede Road. Having a full bike lane would greatly facilitate
the safety of our bike travel back and forth to my children’s school (Humbercrest).
Thank you,
Sincerely
Durie Street
My family and I are in full support of the Annette Street bike
lane.
I am a resident of xxx Windermere Ave which is half a
block north of the proposed bike lane. My wife and I, as well as my seven year
old son would greatly appreciate a bike lane across Annette Street. We fail to
see how this issue has become so contentious given the community support behind
it. Having a bike lane on Annette Street is a natural link to the already
existing bike lanes in the area. Moving the bike lane north to St. John's Street
makes absolutely no sense.
Yours truly,
Windermere Avenue
Members of Council,
I am a resident of Ward 13 and I support the creation of new
bike lanes along Annette Street . However, this issue is about more than
potential new bike lanes in one specific neighbourhood. It is about the future
of our city.
Any healthy and prosperous city the size of Toronto must
develop efficient and sustainable modes of transportation. Otherwise, local
governments are tacitly supporting intense traffic congestion and increased
smog, both of which have negative implications on the economy and our collective
health. As someone who suffers from asthma, I am particularly vulnerable to the
consequences of smog alert days – of which we have suffered through 110 such
days in the past five years alone.
Whether commuting to work, running errands or meeting family
and friends, traveling by bicycle is an inexpensive, healthy and environmentally
sustainable mode of transit for both individual and city. Clearly then, cycling
is a transportation option that is worth encouraging.
This is exactly what the City of Toronto did in 2001 when
Council approved the Toronto Bike Plan, including the creation of 495 kilometres
of new bike lanes across the city. However, and as you are no doubt aware, only
85 kilometres of such lanes have been created to date.
In the case of Annette Street , I understand the major concern
expressed with the option of extending full bike lanes is that such a move will
reduce street parking. However, according to a City staff report even with the
reduced number of parking spaces there will still be sufficient parking to meet
demand. In fact, parking will still be provided on one side of the Annette
Street at all times and the amount of available parking will actually be
increased during the high-traffic morning and evening rush hours. Currently,
parking is prohibited in this area during these times. That prohibition is
eliminated under the proposal for new bike lanes.
This particular decision then on whether to extend the Annette
Street bike lanes – a plan that already has been supported by City staff and has
overwhelming support from local residents – represents a test of Council’s
commitment to the very idea of supporting alternative forms of transportation.
I encourage you to give thoughtful consideration to that
commitment, along with the facts surrounding this issue, as you undertake your
discussion on extending bike lanes along Annette Street . Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Queensway
I am a resident of Bloor West Village, and ride my bicycle to
work as often as possible in the warmer months. My family and I support the
installation of dedicated bike lanes along Annette St. from Runnymede to Jane,
which is part of my route to work. The dedicated bike lanes will make my commute
safer.
The added safety provided by a continuous network of bike
lanes would encourage me to ride more frequently, relying less on more polluting
forms of transportation.
Sincerely,
Windermere Ave.
I am writing in reference to item number PW19.8. I
I am appalled and dismayed by the fact that the city of
Toronto does not seem to be willing to implement fully the already agreed upon
bike plan. In not constructing a bike lane along the ENTIRE length of Annette
Street, the city is undermining its own agenda, jeopardizing the safety of all
cyclists, and preventing modern and environmental development. Annette Street is
the only reasonably and continuous east-west artery for cyclists in this part of
the west end. A continuous bike path results in a link to the Humber trail
through the residential area around Baby Point in the west and the proposed rail
trail to downtown in the east.
The protest of a very small number of businesses along Annette
Street regarding reduced on-street parking for customers is insignificant
compared to the benefit for citizens. High quality bike access might even
improve business for these establishments.
The city wide bike plan must be realized sooner than later in
order for Toronto to be(come) a truly livable city.
I would appreciate if this message could be forwarded to all
councilors.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
resident of Warren Park
Here is a copy of my letter - enjoy! Thanks for organizing
this appeal.
Ms Toft:
My name is XXX and I live on Evelyn Avenue north of Annette
Street. I am a cyclist, occasional driver, Mother of 2 children, and a patron of
many of the stores on Annette Street between Windermere Avenue and Jane Street.
I am writing to you to express my full support of designated bike lanes on
Annette Street between Runnymede and Jane streets.
- From my cyclist point of view - bicycle lanes are
necessary to ensure the safety of cyclists. I commute downtown twice a week
on my bicycle and utilize the College Street bike lane that runs from
Manning Avenue to Bay Street . This bike lane has "indented" parking spots
with the bike lane running to the left hand side of parked cars - similar to
"option 1" as detailed by Mathew Cowley of the City of Toronto public
consultation unit. I feel so much safer on the bike lane as opposed to "sharrow"
lanes and find that parked cars are aware of cyclists. It is also seems to
me, judging by the amount of people out and about, the shops along College
Street have not seen a decrease in business.
- From my occasional driver/patron point of view - I have
never driven to the stores on Annette Street between Windermere and Jane.
Those shops are too close to my home to warrant a car trip (distance =
approximately 3 KM). I either walk or take my bike. Yes, I have even carried
a big bouquet of flowers home on foot. Once, when I purchased a big item
from Windergarden (garden store on the corner of Windermere and Annette)
they had it delivered so there was no need of a car or a parking space.
Business owners need to realize the cyclists are shoppers too. Perhaps if
they provided bike racks they would see an increase in business.
- From my Mother of 2 point of view - I want my children to
feel safe and secure when we are out for a family bike ride. It is not fair,
nor safe for pedestrians to have them riding on the sidewalks (I also
believe it is illegal). I also want my children to grow up in a city that
supports alternative, green forms of transportation. I believe city
initiatives that reduce the amount of cars on our roads are positive in so
many ways (health, economic...). We need to look to the future and promote
transportation in all its many forms. This means one mode of transportation
is not better than the other (and hence gets more more privileges), but that
all need to work together synergistically. City streets need accommodate the
safely needs of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. If the city wants make
cycling more equanimous with car driving, bike lanes are a necessity.
I urge you to vote for designated bike lanes on Annette Street
between Runnymede and Jane streets. The infrastructure of our city and the
quality of our air depends on it
All good things,
Evelyn Avenue
To Toronto Councillors,
My name is XXX and I am a resident of Ward 19. I am writing to
you today to urge you to overturn the decision to put in sharrows on Annette
street and rather, support the installation of bike lanes.
Although I am not a resident of Ward 13, I have cycled through
the Ward many times with my children on trips to High Park and the Humber River
path. My son attended Annette Public School for middle school and my daughter
may also attend Annette when she goes to grade 7 next year. Today, my son
attends Northern Secondary at Eglinton and Mount Pleasant and has cycled to
school from our home near Christie Pits. The need for safe cycling
infrastructure is not a local issue - each decision affects cyclists throughout
the city.
As a cyclist and as a mother who would like to see safe routes
for children cycling to school, I am therefore extremely disappointed that
sharrows are being considered on Annette in lieu of bikelanes. Sharrows as
currently implemented in the City of Toronto put cyclists squarely in the most
dangerous part of the street: the door zone of parked cars. This is clearly the
case for the placement of sharrows proposed for Annette, as can be seen on page
20 of the Annette Street Presentation given on September 15, 2008:
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/public-consultations/pdf/annette-street-091508.pdf
The illustration shows a partially open car door abutting the
sharrow in the street. Since I have yet to see anyone squeeze through a
partially open car door such as the one shown in the illustration, I foresee
multiple dooring incidents along this stretch as drivers and passengers swing
their doors fully open in the path of oncoming cyclists.
This is exactly what happened to my 11-year old daughter while
cycling with me late this summer. Fortunately, she veered around the door and
avoided the collision, a move that would have put her in the path of oncoming
vehicles had I not been behind her and to the left to ensure that any passing
vehicles did not pass too close to her.
Other adults frequently tell me that they too would like to
bike to work but that they do not feel safe cycling in Toronto traffic. If
adults don't feel safe, how can we expect our kids to bike to the playground,
school, or to visit their friends? We have created streets that are so unsafe
that cycling has become the exclusive domain of adults, and only the bravest
among us, it seems. I urge you to vote for our children and help move the City
of Toronto bike plan forward - vote for bike lanes on Annette.
Sincerely,
Burnfield Ave.
I am very disappointed and upset that full bike lanes were
turned down along a portion of Annette St. I have recently moved back to Toronto
from Vancouver and I am trying to decide what neighbourhood I would like to
settle in, buy a house and raise a family. In my re-discovering of Toronto, I
consult the bike map and go and check out the areas that have proper bike lanes.
The neighbourhood surrounding Annette St is a great place, but the fact that
bike lanes are being blocked is a major black mark against the neighbourhood.
Why would I want to move somewhere my kids would be completely unsafe riding
their bikes?
If this City was acting like the "World Class City" it wants
to be, it'd have a lot more bike lanes and much better cycling infrastructure
already. It's about time they're investing in it. Biking is in fact NOT merely a
hobby, it is a legitimate mode of transportation, and a damn good one at that.
Business owners seem to be rather unaware of how customers get to their shops.
The assumption that everyone drives and has to park directly in front of the
shop they are going to is absurd in Toronto. A great number of people get around
by bike and by installing full bike lanes on Annette more bikers will use that
street (bike lanes typically increase bike traffic by 10-30%) thereby
potentially increasing local business owners' customer base. They just need some
bike parking!
Cities around the world have been waking up to the fact that
cycling is a great environmentally friendly, low maintenance, low impact mode of
transportation which allows a city to grow while avoiding worsening the air
quality and traffic congestion. Toronto is seriously behind most other major
cities and if we want to maintain our desirability as a place to live, we had
better get with the times!
thank you
I just want to express my support for FULL bike lanes on
Annette Street, as opposed to the shared lanes being proposed. I find it
disturbing that after a majority of residents expressed support for full bike
lanes, such a weak solution is instead being pursued. I am a father of a three
year old and a 10 month old, and my wife and I are hoping to buy a bike trailer
to take them on rides in the spring. Bike lanes on Annette would give us a safe
and convenient route to do shopping and visit parks in the area by bike. Neither
the sidewalk nor the road is safe, and I do not believe that this proposal for a
shared space between cars and bikes would make things any safer.
Thank you,
Westholme Ave.
I am in favour of the bike lane on Annette Street between
Runnymede and Jane. I live in the neighbourhood and do not own or ride a bike
(so I have no vested interest). Being very familiar with the businesses on this
stretch of Annette, I cannot see how they can possibly be hurt by bike lanes. I
believe it is important to encourage alternatives to car-based transportation in
Toronto. I also believe it is vital to the democratic spirit of our City to act
on the support and approval demonstrated via the community consultation.
Please send the right message by voting for full bike lanes
between Runnymede and Annette.
Thank you for your consideration.
Durie Street
A 43 year old nurse that rides, feels and looks more like a 34
year old. Healthy, strong and full of energy. That’s me.
I attribute most of this to the daily (all year round) use of
my bicycle.
My work as a visiting nurse in the downtown Toronto community
sees me visiting 5-10 different clients per day. On my bicycle. Errands to
stores, the community center, restaurants and visiting my friends I do entirely
by bicycle.
I am not superwoman; anyone can do this. It is the fact that I
ride wherever I can, that makes me energetic and strong. And this in turn allows
me to keep riding. It is a wonderful cycle.
Growing up in the Netherlands made me the cyclist that I am.
The Dutch ride from age 2-92!
During my work I meet a lot of people in their homes in the
elevators and on the street. When they see the healthy me and my bicycle helmet
at least 50% of them say: “I wish I could do that, but I’m just too afraid with
this traffic”.
They are quite right to be afraid.
It was not until I moved from Amsterdam to Toronto that I
started to be afraid on my bicycle. I fear for my life every day. That is pretty
stressful, but I refuse to get off my bicycle and get in a car.
It does not make sense to me as a nurse to drive a car when I
can ride or walk.
Cars are a serious health hazard:
The exhaust from cars causes asthma and contributes to cancer.
Innocent pedestrians, cyclists and fellow drivers get killed
on the road … by cars.
Driving makes people obese.
Everyone agrees that cycling and walking is healthy and that
driving a car is not.
So why not do all we can to make cycling and walking safe?
This way all those people who would love to ride, can ride, without the fear
that they will get hurt.
It is the government’s job to protect us from harm and to
promote and reward healthy behaviour.
That is why the Toronto Bike Plan was approved by Council 7
years ago. In those 7 years less than 20% of proposed bike lanes have been
installed. That is not enough. Torontonians deserve more.
PLEASE approve the proposed bike-lanes on Annette Street, as
was proposed by City Staff and agreed on by many community members.
Please keep me informed of all the bike-lane implementations
in the months and years ahead.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Beaconsfield Ave
my family (wife a daughter and a new member in feb!!) and i
commute daily, by bike, and want the security of a full bike lane in our
neighborhood.
Councillors:
We cycle, drive and use the TTC. We live in Ward 29 (Browning
Avenue), but the Annette bike lane issue is an important one for the entire
City.
If local businesses or other interest groups are permitted to
frustrate the City's bike lane plan in this instance, they will be able to do so
throughout the City, including in our ward. The City has a plan to create an
extensive and connected bike lane network. Allowing the network to be fragmented
because of vocal local opposition is tantamount to having no plan, and will
result in their being no bike network worthy of the name. Bike use will not
increase, the TTC will become more crowded, and our streets will become more
clogged than they are, not less.
Shared lanes are what we already have on every street.
Dedicated bike lanes are what we need. It's time for this City to stop bowing to
local pressure, follow its own well-laid plans, and start laying down the lines.
Please forward this email to all Councillors regarding the
above item for the Oct. 29/30 Council meeting
I write in support of the proposed designated bike lanes on
the last stretch of Annette (Runnymede to Jane), and against the shared bike/car
lane in the existing curb lane as proposed by the Public Works and
Infrastructure Committee.
As a cyclist, I cannot tell you how important it is to have
designated bike lanes in the city. Bike lanes make me feel much safer than
sharing a lane with vehicles. I know that more people would commit to riding
bikes if there were designated lanes for them throughout the city.
Please continue to create more designated bike lanes.
Doncaster Ave.
I have been following this issue with keen interest. Indeed,
some 18-24 months ago at a Bloor West Villager's Residents' Association meeting
whose panel consisted of you, our MP, MPP, and school trustee, I asked you what
you, as our Councillor, can and will do to prepare our community to be as
resilient as possible in the face of climate change. Among other strategies, I
specifically addressed the obvious need and value of extending bike lanes as one
easy strategy in building resilience. At that time, you said that enhanced bike
lanes were in the cards for the time when Annette St. would undergo major water
works updating and repaving. I have waiting patiently in anticipation of this.
It is clear that dedicated bike lanes promote a viable alternative to car use
and promote sustainability.
I was delighted to see that the work was underway on Annette,
and fully expected, given the width of the street, that dedicated bike lines
were to be established. I am, however, appalled at the suggestion of rerouting
the Runnymede to Jane segment of the Annette bike lanes. I urge you to take full
advantage of this opportunity to establish dedicated bike lanes along the full
length of Annette. This is the golden opportunity to lay down this significant
East-West corridor of safe lanes, particularly in light of the fact that neither
Dundas nor Bloor are as safe as Annette for cyclists. Citizens in years to come
will thank you for having had the foresight to promote this safer solution of
east-west carbon-free travel. This stretch of lanes is essential to the
coherence of the bike network. I am calling for dedicated bike lanes rather than
shared as dedicated lanes are safer. They are less ambiguous, both to drivers
and cyclists. Our most vulnerable citizens will be safer: children will be
safer; senior citizens will be safer. Annette St. is ideal for dedicated lanes
as it is comfortably wide enough to accommodate such lanes. There should be no
controversy. I use this corridor regularly, as a cyclist, for shopping,
services, and access to community events in this stretch. We live in a time of
change. More and more citizens understand cycling as a deliberate alternative to
car travel within, throughout, as well as through our community. Dedicated lanes
will enhance the quality of the pedestrian experience in this stretch - a
welcome improvement in quality of life, especially in terms of air quality. Let
us dare to imagine such things as café-terrasses, more trees, on this stretch of
Annette.
On September 15th, I attended the community meeting on this
issue, and noted that staff research showed that sufficient parking will remain
on Annette, even with dedicated bike lanes. Staff reports indicate no negative
impacts on Annette businesses. That same evening, it was clear that there was
overwhelming support for bike lanes. I do not understand why you are proposing
anything short of dedicated bike lanes. I urge you to respond to the will of the
majority of residents, and demonstrate the vision needed to provide our
community with one of the most readily available, low cost tools which figure as
part of our solution in reducing green house gas emissions, and building
resilience to climate change in our community. Please represent our readiness to
take this step towards a clean, green future. I thank you for considering and
acting in the interest of our community as a sustainable, resilient community. I
hope you will choose to demonstrate this leadership.
St. Johns Rd.
We live on Windermere just north of Annette are in support of
the option for full bike lanes on Annette between Jane and Runnymede. In fact
the accessibility to bike routes is why we moved to the area and would love to
see it continue along Annette and connect with the next bike connection at
Symington and Dupont for all those heading into the city via the Davenport Rd.
bike lanes.
Both of us bike frequently to do local errands, for exercise,
and I personally bike into the city for work every day. The convenience, safety
and security offered by the full bike lanes is important to us. We also care
about the environmental impact that we have on society and show that care
through biking to work.
We hope council will overturn the public works committee
decision for a shared roadway solution in favour of the full bike lanes.
Thanks for your time
Windermere Ave, north of Annette
We live on Evans Avenue just south of Annette
We cycle for exercise and for recreational purposes
For our environment and for personal health reasons, it makes
sense to support all bicycle initiatives
Please save the Annette bike lanes
Sincerely,
Evans Avenue
I find it surprising that in combination with the Metrolinx
RTP, MoveOntario2020 and a major push by citizens, councillors and many
professionals around the world, that a bike lane is facing challenges to its
approval. Apparently it has become a "sharrow" which essentially means that
cyclists will pushed to the curb, forced into dangerous situations and still
have to share the road with large buses, trucks and speeding traffic. The Bay
Street sharrow is an existing example of unsuitability of these lanes and their
lack of safety in design for cyclists.
Please pressure council to make the right decision here. Not
only for the children who may want to ride safely or the families who want to
put less pressure on the environment and make healthy life choices. Push the
envelope on this issue, please don't close it.
Thank you,
I would like to show my support for the addition of bike lanes
along Annette Street. It would be a valuable addition to the neighborhood so
that residents can travel by bike more safely, to the city to encourage healthy
and eco-friendly commuting, and even to local businesses who should realize that
people don’t notice stores that they drive past at 50 km/h.
I am a resident of the Annette St. area (I live on Windermere
Ave., just north of Annette St.) I would like the councillors to know I support
having full bike lanes on Annette St. I don’t own a bike, I’m not a member of
any “bike lobby” and I enjoy and frequent the businesses along Annette St.
However, I take the bus each day and I see the number of bikes currently using
Annette Street, and I would like to support the use of bikes in the City of
Toronto and the safety of the riders by supporting full bike lanes.
Thank you for considering my e:mail
Windermere Ave.
I live in ward 9 York Centre
Please don't stop building Bike lanes across the city. Biking
is good fitness and when TTC and driving is not a choice next to walking Bikes
are the next best thing.
Not just myself but the importance of these bike lanes at
annette st. will determine my and many others biking across to High Park and
other directions.
Remember the plan to have at least 27 km of bike lanes by the
year 2010 City of Toronto Bike Plan - Shifting Gears
Thank you
As a citizen of Toronto living in the area just west of Jane
Street and south of Annette Street, I am concerned about the recommendation made
by the Public Works Committee to reject bicycle lanes on Annette (between Jane
and Runnymede) in favour of sharrows. As both a bicyclist and motorist, I have
observed that a large number--perhaps even a majority--of motorists on Annette
ignore the posted speed limit. This makes the street a busy and sometimes
hazardous transportation corridor. The street is also heavily used by
bicyclists, who find the space allotted to them inadequate.
Bicycle lanes on Annette make sense for many reasons. They
would contribute to the safety of cyclists and to the peace of mind of drivers.
They would help to encourage cycling as a healthy, environmentally-friendly
practice. They would make it easier for cyclists to visit the Annette merchants.
Merchants have a legitimate concern with providing parking for
their customers, and for deliveries. However, I believe that flexible street
design can solve this problem, as on Runnymede where increased parking spots are
provided in the appropriate places. City staff actually did a parking survey and
concluded that with bicycle lanes, Annette would have adequate motor vehicle
parking.
As we move towards a society where the bicyclist can expect
respect and safety, it is best, I think, to establish a norm that is recognized
by all. A bicycle lane is clear in its meaning. A sharrow is ambiguous and
perhaps nonsensical--we should _always_ share the road.
I respectfully request that you give careful consideration to
this matter. The Public Works Committee's recommendation needs to be rethought.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Harshaw Avenue
I have lived at Annette and Beresford for 22 years and bike
daily along Annette. Biking along Annette is not for the faint at heart as
most of the vehicles that pass me are going over the speed limit and don’t
always share the road. Lately I have been travelling along the sidewalk when
there are no pedestrians and dismounting and walking when I do meet up with
someone. I can’t tell you how much safer it would be if the bike lanes were
passed.
Please remember the residents when you cast your vote, as they
are the ones that will benefit greatly with your decision.
Hoping I have been heard
yours respectfully…….a resident of Bloor West Village.
I am writing to respectfully request that you all consider
supporting the proposal to install a bicycle lane on Annette Street, in between
Jane Street and Runnymede Road.
I am a avid cyclist and have been for more than 10 years. I
live in Ward 13, but I ride my bike all over this city.
From March 2007 until April 2008 I had the pleasure of living
and working in Vancouver and riding almost anywhere in that lovely city, on a
designated, signed bike route. The quiet residential side streets were shared
roads but the major roads (which I would label Annette Street as being) had
separate, protected bike lanes and they were wonderful to use.
Cycling here in Toronto is not as pleasant as it used to be as
the volume of vehicular traffic has increased substantially over the years. Not
only are there more of them, but they're bigger too.
I ride my bike to work every day and I use it to run errands
and buy groceries and I go out of my way to use the few bike lanes which do
exist. 10 years ago I wasn't as concerned about having the protection of a bike
lane - I felt safe on the road - but now it's a pretty dicey proposition to ride
a bike on Toronto streets which do not include bike lanes - such as Bloor
Street, Bathurst Street, and Spadina Avenue (try coming off the Lakeshore bike
path and navigating the Gardiner on and off ramps to head north on Lower Spadina
on a bike, during the morning rush to work!) just to name a few.
It's frustrating, frightening and awkward as a cyclist, to be
riding along a bike lane for several blocks, only to find oneself suddenly
stranded - abandoned - left without the protection of a bike lane on a busy
road. Drivers of cars, trucks and the ever-popular SUVs are increasingly
intolerant of sharing the road with a cyclist and the protection of a bike lane
is becoming a more urgent necessity.
Cyclists are consumers too - we buy groceries, coffee and
meals out - boots, shoes, bags and clothes - take our clothing to the dry
cleaners - buy books and music etc. The argument that parking spaces equal
business is not true.
I would love to see the city of Toronto become more
people-friendly and less car-centric. Establishing well-planned bike routes,
with actual connections which get people north and south as well as east and
west, up-town, down-town, mid-town, and across- town is a good step to making
Toronto a safer place for everyone. It will encourage more people to ride bikes
instead of driving their polluting vehicles.
With more bike lanes, perhaps one day, Toronto will see zeros
and ones instead of threes and fours, regularly, on Environment Canada's Air
Health Quality Index!
I live on Durie Street within a block of Annette,
and I often use Annette to ride my bike, although always with
concern about the obvious dangers posed by passing cars and trucks.
I support full bike lanes on all of Annette Street between Dundas
Street and Jane Street, as designated in the City of Toronto Bike
Plan, and am very surprised and disappointed at Councillor
Saundercook's opposition. I see no advantage in establishing
“sharrows” between Runnymede and Jane as they will do little to
reduce the risk to bikers and may in fact give bikers a false sense
of security.
Bike lanes will improve safety for riders. Bike riding is
environmentally responsible. The majority of city staff and the community
support the idea of bike lanes on Annette St. Let’s just get on with it.
As both a committed urban cyclist and a homeowner in the Jane
& Annette area (I live on Evans Avenue, less than 50m south of Annette), I'd
like to add my support for the city staff recommendation of incorporating bike
lanes on the stretch of Annette from Jane to Runnymede. I feel that this option
provides a significant increase in the availability of useful bike-friendly
transportation in Toronto with minimal impact on local residents and businesses.
In 2004-2005, I had the opportunity to live and work in
Vancouver. During that time, I made extensive use of the bikeways in the city
and Vancouver has much to teach Toronto in the use of bikeways. One of the best
aspects of their system was the use of roadways parallel to major arterial roads
as bikeways, to provide safe transportation options to cyclists attempting to
cross the city. This route is my preferred route for accessing the downtown
area.
The Annette - Dupont corridor represents a similar
alternative, allowing a cyclist to quickly move across the city without having
to use either Bloor Street or St Clair Avenue. While some would argue that the "sharrows"
approach recommended by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
accomplishes this objective, it does not represent any significant improvement
over the present arrangement on the street and would simply incur an additional
expense in the support of the roadway to maintain the additional street
markings.
Public consultation on this issue in Ward 13 has shown
significant support for bike lanes on Annette. When item PW19.8 is discussed at
council, I would strongly recommend that you vote in favour of this option.
Regards.
Evans Avenue
I wish to register my support for full bike lanes on Annette
St. between Runnymede Rd. and Jane St., as opposed to the Sharrows that are
being proposed. As one who does not own a car and uses cycling and public
transit to get around, I do not wish to see the City's Bike Plan to be
systematically undermined by compromises /when none are necessary/. As one who
knows at least a few individuals who have died before their time partly because
of the contributions of smog, I agree with the City's position that the active
promotion of cycling is an urgent health issue.
I wish to object vehemently to Councillor Saundercook's
proposal of Sharrows, as it was obvious at the public information meeting in
September that the vast majority of residents want full bike lanes and only a
small minority objected. At that meeting, the City admitted that parking studies
showed that there would still be sufficient parking with full bike lanes.
Moreover, if many business owners and residents /had/ objected, then I would
have accepted a compromise. So if the minority is small, then why did our
councillor put forth a fence-sitting compromise? On this issue, I believe that
Councillor Saundercook truly does not represent us!
Thank you for your attention.
Please forward this email to all Councillors regarding the
above item for the Oct. 29/30 Council meeting
Durie St.
We are in support of the option for full bike lanes on Annette
between Jane and Runnymede. Both of us are “post-middle age” (62 and 71 years)
and bike frequently to do local errands and for exercise. The convenience,
safety and security offered by the full bike lanes is important to us.
We hope council will overturn the public works committee
decision for a shared roadway solution in favour of the full bike lanes.
Durie Street
I am writing to share my concerns about the October 10 PWIC
vote against putting in bike lanes on Annette Street, between Jane Street and
Runnymede Road. I believe that putting in "sharrows" instead of bike lanes sets
a poor precedent for the development of Toronto's cycling infrastructure. As a
regular commuter cyclist (despite having suffered an accident in the spring
involving streetcar tracks on Dundas), I find bikes lanes to be vital for the
safety of cyclists and motorists alike.
The concept of sharrows is quite puzzling. I can understand
its implementation on streets that are too narrow to accommodate both a car lane
and a bike lane, but even then, I believe the concept defeats its own purpose in
the long run. As mere "reminders" to motorists that the roads are shared,
sharrows marginalize cyclists by legitimizing motorists who don't believe they
have to share the roads unless where indicated by a painted bicycle on the
pavement. In essence, how does a street marked as a sharrow differ from any
other street where cyclists are present? Shouldn't motorists have the same
awareness on any street, regardless? Bike lanes, on the other hand, clearly
enforce road sharing while contributing to the safety of motorists and cyclists
alike. The idea of the "sharrow" should be promoted by the city as the default
of any street, rather than being used as a lip-service-substitute for bike
lanes.
I beg you to consider this decision regarding Annette Street
carefully, and recall that residents were overwhelmingly in support of the bike
lanes in earlier public consultations.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Ward 18 resident
I live on Fairview avenue and I often use Annette
to ride my bike, as biking is my main method of transportation. I
support full bike lanes on all of Annette Street between Dundas
Street and Jane Street, as designated in the City of Toronto Bike
Plan (in opposition to item number PW19.8).
Bike lanes will improve safety for riders considerably, bike
riding is good for the environment and our health, and the majority of your city
staff and the community support the idea of bike lanes on Annette St.
Bicycle lanes are vital for Toronto, and they are completely
appropriate for the Annette Street. I hope City Council will reject the
unfortunate decision of the PWIC and support the installation of full bicycle
lanes.
May I request that my email be distributed to all Council
members. Please support the bike lane on Annette Street!
Thank you.
I’m frightened by the decision of The Public Works and
Infrastructure Committee to vote against putting full bike lanes on Annette
Street between Runnymede and Jane. The small number of extra parking spots and
unproven increase in revenue for local businesses by having unsafe sharrows
instead of full lanes for cyclists does not make sense when compromising the
safety of my husband, 11 year-old son, seven year-old daughter and me.
I believe that the Committee should reverse their decision or
that City Council should overturn it at their next meeting later this month.
Here are three reasons:
First, the decision contravenes the City’s plan to transform
Toronto into a leading, contemporary urban centre that is safe for cyclists and
progressive when it comes to clean forms of transportation.
Second, City staff and majority feedback from the community
suggested the Committee, in fact, vote in favour of full bike lanes.
And finally, this decision could set a very dangerous
precedent for other plans for bike safety in the city; putting tens of thousands
of people at risk of death or injury.
Thank you,
Parent and Resident
Quebec Ave.
I would like to formally express to all members to City
Council that I am a Toronto resident and I fully support a full painted bike
lane on Annette Street between Runnymede and Jane St.
Much like most would find it incomprehensible that you exit
the Gardiner at Jamison only to get back on at Spadina, it serves no purpose to
commit to a bicycle infrastructure that is fractured end to end providing a
jarring and at times unsafe cycling experience.
Stop pandering to a few small businesses and make the
realization that standing up for the greater good benefits us all - less
congestion, less pollution, cheaper health care, lower insurance costs - and not
just a couple of lazy drivers that are costing us at every decision. It's time
this city started making some long term, adult decisions instead of these short
sighted election to election flinches.
My name is XXX. I support the bike lanes on Annette Street and
ask that they be approved at the October 29/30 Council meeting.
The reason why I am writing is because of my father. He was
killed in August of last year. He was one of the 440 people killed every year by
Toronto car pollution.
In November 2007, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, Dr.
David McKeown, produced a report describing just how car pollution kills 440
people in Toronto every year and injures 1,700 people so seriously that they
have to be hospitalized for their injuries. This report may be found at:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/air_pollution_burden.pdf
My father was a wonderful person. He was kind, caring and
gentle. He loved his three children and six grandchildren. The children loved
their beloved "Poppa," particularly when the read them their bedtime stories. He
was in perfect health until car pollution killed him. Right now he should be
bicycling every day, reading stories to his grandchildren at night and
continuing his work to make the world a better place for all its people.
Instead, right now he is dead. Car pollution killed him and 439 other people in
Toronto last year.
It is totally unacceptable that Toronto car pollution should
continue to kill 440 people and seriously injure 1,700 every year. I would like
to call upon Toronto City Council to do the following:
- Complete implementation of all the recommendations of Dr.
David McKeown in his November 2007 report.
- Complete implementation of the Toronto Bike Plan,
including bike lanes on Annette Street.
- Work towards making Toronto a car-free city so that
nobody has to be killed or injured by car pollution.