Deputation by Elizabeth Lines for
world19
I live in Ward 13 just south of
Annette St. and I’m presenting today on behalf of world19, a community
group that’s been active in the area for more than a decade. We are,
effectively, an ‘electronic community group’, communicating with roughly
300 residents through our email newsletter and also via our longstanding
website, world19.com. In general, we take up issues of public interest
and attempt to facilitate community involvement.
Today I’ve come to speak to
Recommendation #1 of this agenda item regarding the Annette bike lanes
-specifically to the fact that the originally proposed lanes on Annette
St. between Jane and Runnymede seem to have gone missing. I believe
they were last spotted on April 17th at a ‘public open house’
that was neither very public nor very open.
My first point then is one raised by
many, and it’s a critical piece of the picture –that is the obvious lack
of community consultation on this issue. So while we’d like to focus on
the need for bike lanes along all of Annette, we feel that it’s the lack
of adequate consultation that has created the situation we’re now in.
We understand that the decision to
recommend the St. Johns Rd diversion was based on the concerns of a
small but vocal group of Annette business owners whose presence
dominated the April 17th meeting, which was essentially
unpublicized. So, reference to ‘community feedback’ as it is worded in
the staff report is very misleading. One voice does not constitute the
community. As a result, we are now faced with an illegitimate
resolution – one which remains potentially divisive rather than
conciliatory precisely because of how it was reached.
Had we, together as a community,
actually had the opportunity to examine the original proposal in the
first place, we believe that compromise and consensus could have
prevailed and we would not be where we are today.
So process – or lack of – is central
to our concerns.
In terms of substance, we believe
that bike lanes should remain on Annette for a range of reasons, not the
least of which is safety, but I am going to focus on a few other points.
In terms of the perceived impact of
bike lanes on local businesses, we contend that business will not suffer
if some nearby parking spots are removed. In fact we understand from
city staff that negative impacts on business were considered and none
were anticipated.
We believe too that the businesses
on Annette survive and thrive because of their uniqueness and their
value to customers. We really don’t think their success is about landing
a parking spot in front of their store; it’s about who they are, what
they offer, how they do business. You might find parking at the local
power center, but you won’t find The Flower Room. These shops are
critical assets to our community and we want them to prosper.
Also, I must say that I come along
Annette quite often. Sometimes I’m looking for parking in order to shop
there – and it’s been my experience that there’s generally more than
enough parking available.
Can you always find a spot in the
very same block as your destination? Not always. Do you sometimes have
to park on a side street? Yes, sometimes. But this is true anywhere in
the city. It doesn’t stop people from going where they want to go. In
relative terms, Annette is as amenable to bike lanes as any ‘minor
arterial roadway’ is going to be.
So if bike lanes won’t work on
Annette Street, then on what street?
As well, to divert the Jane to
Runnymede segment of lanes to St. Johns Rd. is both a blow to cyclists
locally, and to the city’s Bike Plan. The Annette lanes have been a
part of the Plan since 2001. Altering the original Annette route
unnecessarily interrupts the continuity and logic of the city’s bike
network. The St. Johns alternative is really no alternative at all. To
put it simply, cyclists won’t use it.
Ultimately, we are concerned that
the revised proposal will set a precedent for the future of the bike
network, leading to the development of a non-network of isolated bike
lane segments scattered across the city. Instead, maintaining the
continuity of the Annette lanes is a strong signal that the city takes
cycling seriously as a means of transportation and also supports the
city’s green agenda.
The bottom line is that the return
of the missing Annette lanes is crucial to cyclists, vital to the
overall success of the Toronto Bike Plan and can only enhance the
vibrancy and livability of our neighbourhood. We look forward to
working with others to reach this end.
On behalf of world19
Elizabeth Lines
To: Ros Dyers (Secretary, Public Works and
Infrastructure Committee) Adam Giambrone (City Councillor, Ward 18) Gord
Perks (City Councillr, Ward 14) Bill Suandercook (City Councillor, Ward
13) Adrian Heaps (City Councillor, Ward 35 and chair of Toronto Cycling
Committee) Glenn De Baeremaeker (City Councillor, Ward 38 and chair of
Public Works Committee) Shelley Carroll (City Councillor, Ward 33,
member of Public Works Committee) Mark Grimes (City Councillor, Ward 6,
member of Public Works Committee) Chin Lee (City Councillor, Ward 41,
member of Public Works Committee) John Parker (City Councillor, Ward 26,
member of Public Works Committee)
Members of the Public Works committee and councillors,
I am a ward 18 resident and homeowner, living at xx
Symington Ave. I am also a cyclist, pedestrian, and TTC rider.
I am writing to you in full support of the Dupont St.
and Annette St. bike lanes, and would also like to share some other
suggestions and commentary about them.
A few general comments:
On my daily commute out to Mississauga, I usually
start off with riding westbound along Dupont St. and Annette St. This is
an excellent cycling route that avoids some of the Bloor St. hills and
traffic, as well as the Dundas St. traffic, trucks, and dooring hazards.
It's also a great place to stop and shop on my way home, or pick up a
weekend lunch.
I often see many other cyclists riding here:
Commuters, children riding to and from school or parks, parents with
their kids in bike trailers, people riding to the libraries, and
shoppers with baskets full of groceries. These bike lanes will provide
an important connection on the bikeway network, linking the Humber
River, Runnymede Rd. bike lanes, High Park Ave. bike route, West Toronto
Railpath, and the future Lansdowne Ave. bike lanes. This seems like a
perfectly reasonable place to give cyclists some more priority, even at
the expense of some motor vehicle parking. It will also alleviate some
of the issues with sidewalk cycling.
Dupont / Annette / Dundas intersection and railway
underpass:
However, I do have one major concern with the bike
lanes. In the documentation that The City has posted online, there are
no details about how the Dupont/Dundas/Annette intersection will be
designed. Many cyclists already pass through here as an east-west route,
and when bike lanes are installed on Dupont and Annette, the cyclist
traffic will increase. An eastbound bike lane through the intersection
and the railway underpass should be OK, but I am worried what may happen
with a westbound bike lane.
Westbound: The current configuration has two lanes of
traffic. The left lane is a left turn towards Annette St. The right lane
is a left turn to Annette St. AND straight-through lane to Dundas St.
north/westbound. If you just stick in a bike lane, any cyclist that
wants to proceed from Dupont to Annette in the bike lane will have to
watch for traffic going straight across to Dundas. Not sure what the
best solution here is. Advanced green for cyclists? Bike box? Sharrows
and signage that show cyclists proper lane positioning for a connection
to Annette St.?
My other concern is that between the underpass and the
main intersection, there's a place where you can turn left to get up to
Dundas St. south/eastbound. Sometimes this causes a bit of a traffic
backup, and I can just imagine motorists pulling around into the bike
lane to pass, thereby endangering cyclists in the bike lane.
A proper re-design and implementation of this
intersection will be extremely important. Bike lanes may in fact make
things more dangerous if not done properly, especially when the numbers
of less-experienced cyclists riding through here increases.
Door Zones:
Another important design issue and potential flaw with the existing
proposal is that when these bike lanes are installed next to motor
vehicle parking spaces, the cyclists end up riding in the "door zone".
This can be extremely dangerous, especially to less-experienced cyclists
who may be lulled into thinking that they are safe just because they are
in a bike lane. Please try to make these bike lanes as wide as possible,
and as far away from the car doors as possible, perhaps even with a
buffer area. The last thing we need on Dupont St. or Annette St. is
another cyclist injured or killed by an opening car door, like what
happened recently on Eglinton Ave.
Bicycle Parking:
It seems there is a lack of decent bicycle parking along some parts of
Dupont St. Please use this opportunity to install more bike racks to
accommodate the increased number of cyclists. Extra bike parking also
replaces some of the lost motor vehicle parking spaces. Perhaps
on-street bike parking areas can be considered as well.
West of Runnymede:
Lastly, I wanted to oppose the decision to not implement the Annette St.
bike lanes west of Runnymede Rd. St. Johns Rd. is not a reasonable
alternative, as it seems to be slower, less direct, and does not
actually go to the same destinations as Annette St. When I shop on
Annette St. or ride to the Humber River, I don't ride on St. Johns Rd.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments.
I hope you move forward with the decision to implement the Dupont St.
and Annette St. bike lanes, and consider the best designs possible. If
you have any questions, please contact me.
Thanks,
The following note was not (at least yet) sent to
the PWIC, but sent to world19 as a very good argument as to why cycling
lanes can be GOOD for businesses:
I've been thinking a lot about how we can get the
message through to store owners that bike lanes could be GOOD for
business. While pondering this I was struck by how diverse the cycling
population is. These are some of the people I know who cycle along
Annette for work, shopping and recreation. At least half of them are
parents of children who also bike to school, to soccer, to swimming...
Why would anyone want to divert this great crowd of people away from
their store?
aerospace engineer
concert pianist
nurse-practitioner
professor forestry
advertising executive
environmental engineer
public health nurse
transportation engineer
intensive care nurse
screenwriter
electrician
lawyer
government communications assistant
cancer researcher
librarian
professor of music
opera diva
media artist
playwright
inventor
professor of english
community activist
saxophonist and producer
teacher
nutritionist
stand-up comedian
editor
radio producer
university dean of faculty
performing arts producer
arts patron, innovator and multimillionaire
telecommunications engineer
To the City of Toronto Public Works Committee:
I am writing in favour of bike lanes along the full
length of Annette Street between Dundas Street and Jane Street, as
designated in the City of Toronto Bike Plan.
I am strongly opposed to truncating the lanes at
Runneymede, as has been recently proposed. Cyclists will find this
detour inconvenient and unworkable. The few merchants whose complaints
have prompted this unworkable compromise also stand to lose business if
cycling is discouraged. I shop on my bike, and a great many of my
neighbours do so too. Safe and convenient bike access will influence
where I choose to shop.
I believe that the City should work harder to find a
solution which will accommodate bike lanes, and not throw up its hands
in compromise at the first whiff of opposition from a small handful of
opponents. Community consultations have been very poorly publicized. The
many voices of bike lane proponents have been silenced. Please do not
sacrifice the City of Toronto Bike Plan, with its numerous benefits to
public health and the environment, to the almighty auto and dollar.
Thank you for considering my views.
Yours sincerely,
Clendenan Avenue
To whom it may concern:
As an involved resident of Swansea for the past 18
years I totally support bike lanes on Annette Street. Shortage of
parking has NEVER been an issue on that street for me and so seems like
a poor excuse for not putting in a bike lane. I'm sure a solution can be
found to maintain a minimal amount of parking and have a viable safe
bike lane. St. John's street is too far north and will not be used
enough to justify the expense. If the city's plan says the bike lane
will result in minimal impact on parking, then ignoring this study means
the city is only pandering to the "squeaky wheel", the businesses that
came out to the "community consultation meeting" (which was so poorly
advertised I had never even heard of it till a recent Villager article
about cancelling the bike lanes). I challenge the city to hold another
community consultation meeting now that the issue is out there and a hot
topic and see what happens.
Sincerely
Windermere Ave
Dear Councillor Saundercook:
It is imperative that you support the proposed bike lane across all of
Annette Street. Failure to do so demonstrates a vivid inability to
understand the true needs of this community, the environment and the
health and saftey of our residents.
Sincerely,
Lincoln Avenue
Dear Ms. Dyers,
I hope I am not too late to at least let the members
of this committee read my comments. I am a business owner (and home
owner) on Annette St. west of Runnymede. We (my partner/husband and I
and our two children) FULLY SUPPORT the continuous bicycle lanes on
Annette all the way to Jane. Our business will not suffer. In fact it
might reduce the speed and quantity of cars on Annette, making our work
day (with transom window or door open for fresh air) more pleasant,
quiet and productive. We live and run our business at this location on
Annette. We own only one car and therefore do a fair bit of cycling
ourselves. I would love for my children to be safer on their way to and
from school and other activities. Diverting the lanes to St. John’s
really doesn’t make any sense for a cyclist or a motorist. It is out of
the way for the cyclists as it is not a thoroughfare to any other direct
route and St. John’s is already quite narrow for traffic. The sidewalks
are narrow too and the whole street feels unsafe to me as a cyclist at
rush hours. There are no businesses on St. John’s and less reason for
cyclists to ride here.
There are not that many businesses on Annette between
Runnymede and Jane, and at our end, near Runnymede, there is never a
problem getting a parking space if we do need one. The businesses thrive
here because we have specialized clientele and/or pedestrian traffic.
The end near Jane has never had many spaces simply because of bus stops,
turning lanes and a church, so not much changes for those businesses
either. Bicycles make the street more lively with activity and
pedestrians, making for a nicer quality of life in our neighborhood and
our city, therefore, please vote yes to the lanes, no to a detour!!
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Dear Councillor Saundercoook,
I was disappointed to learn that the proposed bike
lanes along Annette Street are in jeopardy. Your suggestion that they
only run as far as Runnymede before cyclists are expected to make a
lengthy diversion to St. John's Rd undermines the effectiveness of the
bike lanes and the safety of cyclists. In spite of City staff reports
showing that the proposed plan would offer sufficient parking for
businesses in the area, the Bike Plan has once again been trumped by the
fears of local merchants. Equally concerning is the way this derailment
of the Bike Plan has been portrayed as representing the "community's
wishes". Which community? What about the wishes of local residents who
cycle to work? Of children who bike to school? On my block alone, over
50% of households are regular cyclists. We need a safe practical route
along Annette that links existing bike routes efficiently and directly
for the increasing number of residents who cycle.
I urge you to take leadership on this issue and stand
up for the Bike Plan - let's not continue to dilute its effectiveness
with piecemeal compromises. During the 2006 election you made a clear
commitment to cycling and the implementation of the Bike Plan: now is
the time to actively demonstrate that commitment.
Clendennan Ave
Dear Mr. Saundercook -
I was disappointed to hear you are proposing that the bicycle lanes
proposed for Annette be moved up to St. John's Road. But more
importantly I am dismayed that you would make this recommendation
without any substantive input from the broader community, and in
contradiction to the policies you supported (and which I voted for) in
the last election.
For the record I support the proposed bike lanes - on
Annette - and I am part of this community (36 Raymond Ave, near
Jane/Annette).
I appreciate that there will be discomfort and upset
for some small business and home owners along Annette, due to the loss
of parking and the need to cross the street to reach some businesses.
But it is impossible to build a 'real' (as opposed to toy) network of
bicycle paths without some compromise between vehicular traffic
capacity, parking space, and cycling capability and safety.. And the
current plan, in my opinion, provides reasonable balance between all
three, including parking along several sections of Annette.
Proposing a path along St. John's road is simply a
travesty - it satisfies no one, and makes a joke of the overall city
plan. It also, unfortunately, suggests that your own 2008 comments on
this topic (http://biketoronto.ca/vote2006/show/can/68.htm)
were -- perhaps a bit disingenuous. I hope that is not in fact the case.
On the other hand, if the community truly does not
want these lanes on Annette - well, then that's democracy in action, and
I would understand and accept the change. But since the discussion /
open house on this topic was so poorly advertised (indeed, no one I know
even new there was such a meeting) I cannot accept any decision you may
have made coming out of that highly biased discussion.
Best Regards
My name is xxx and I live with my wife and two young
daughters on Jane Street, just south of Annette.
I'm writing to you to "save the Annette Street bicycle
lanes". To keep intact the original plan to include lanes from Jane
through to Keele Street.
Until recently, when my job was relocated to Brampton,
we did not own an automobile. We moved about the city via public
transit, cycling, and walking.
One of our greatest challenges was, and still is,
getting the girls from our home to the Annette Recreation Centre to
participate in Toronto Parks and Rec activities. The winding, hilly
roads south of the rec centre are a significant cycling obstacle. The
narrow, broken pavement of Annette Street is dangerous even for
experienced cyclists.
We've given up trying to reach the Annette Street
library, which is even further east.
A continuous, unbroken stretch of cycling lane would
enable a greater level of earth-friendly bicycle traffic along this
corridor. Greater traffic means increased commerce and less car traffic
congestion.
A diversion of this cycling lane to St. John's street
may seem to a reasonable alternative when traveling by automobile, but
it may as well be on the other side of the planet when towing a trailer
containing two little girls.
My family and I are asking you, as a voters who
supported your last campaign, to support the original cycling lane
proposal, and not to cave to the corporate interests that make up a very
small percentage of what is primarily a residential neighbourhood.
Sincerely,
Jane St.
Dear PWIC members,
We are dismayed to learn that the proposal to create a
straight bike path using dedicated bike lanes along Anette between
Dupont and Baby Point has been altered to include a circuitous path
including St. Johns Rd. Such a route is not particularly helpful and
will further discourage cyclists in our city, which is already far from
bicycle friendly. We must work toward making our city more bicycle
friendly for obvious health and environmental reasons.
Mayfield Ave.
I am writing in support of the proposed bike lanes on
Annette - WITHOUT a jog north to St. John's Rd. as proposed by
Councillor Saundercook.
I heard about the consultation meeting too late to
attend.
I am a great fan of some of the businesses along
Annette, and while I understand their concerns about parking, I think
they are unfounded. On the occasions when I have driven there, parking
has definitely not been an issue. For the most part, as a local resident
I walk or cycle to these shops and would do so even more frequently if
cycling and walking along Annette was a more pleasant (and safer)
experience
Regarding the attempt to dismantle the proposed plans
for the Annette/Dupont Bike lanes, I am dismayed and concerned that a
public process could so easily be derailed with minimal community
consultation and that of Stakeholders.
I am a resident of Bloor west who commutes to work by
bike in an effort to 'take one more car off the road' during peak
traffic hours. I bicycle to my office at St. Clair and Yonge St. I have
grave concerns regarding the obvious lack of consultation with the stake
holders, those who use the bike lanes and the community.
This lack of attention to process leaves those of us
who use the lanes for daily commutes in a very vulnerable position. As
has been indicated by a previous writer, the Intersection of Dundas/Annette
and Dupont is particularly vulnerable from a safety perspective, as is
any major intersection in the absence of bike lanes, including Jane and
Annette.
In an effort to maintain the Annette/Dupont bike lane
it would be very unfortunate to have our ward be the community which
impairs the integrity of the Bicycle lanes from Toronto west to Yonge
Street.
The Annette/Dupont bike lane is one small part of a
much larger infrastructure in bicycle transportation. The current
recommendation of re-routing the bike lanes a 'few blocks north, a few
blocks west etc'.. totally devalues the intact plan. I hope that
decisions regarding a safe, comprehensive and interconnected bike plan
are made from a perspective of a viable transportation option for our
city.
Bloor West Resident
To the members of the PWIC:
I am writing to urge you to support the original plan
to create bike lanes along the full length of Annette St., from Dundas
St. W., through to Jane St., and to not adopt the proposed diversion of
the bike route to St. Johns Rd., between Runnymede and Jane Sts.
My arguments are going to focus primarily on one
aspect: the lack of Public Consultation.
Quite simply, I am appalled at the lack of public
information and consultation on this issue.
I believe that the original proposal of a bike lane
running straight along Dupont/Annette from Lansdowne to Jane is still
the best possible solution that provides a much needed and efficient
straight east-west route for cyclists. And unless there is compelling
reasons to alter it, that plan should be adopted.
During the 2006 election, Councillor Saundercook,
responding to a survey undertaken by the Toronto Coalition for Active
Transportation, stated:
I believe that city staff should be obligated
to prove to City Council and the communities we represent that a
particular road should not have a newly constructed road
incorporating improved cyclist lanes (separate grade) and improved
pedestrian sidewalks to encourage and promote safe walking. In other
words, every road should be required to incorporate these new
features unless there is a good argument not to include them.
Link:
http://biketoronto.ca/vote2006/show/can/68.htm
So what is the proof that bike lanes (just
ordinary, painted bike lanes -- not the separate grade lanes which
Councillor Saundercook referred to above) should not be created
on Annette St.?
The "proof" is apparently the staff report, which
stated
The local community was given an opportunity to
comment on the proposal at a Public Open house held on April 17,
2008. At the Open House there were significant concerns raised about
the proposed reduction of on-street parking adjacent to many
businesses along the section of Annette Street between Jane Street
and Runnymede Road. As a result of this community feedback the
bikeway proposal was modified to eliminate the bicycle lanes between
Jane Street and Runnymede Road.
This basis for those statements is quite simply false.
The local community was NOT given an opportunity to comment; there was
no "community" feedback.
The Open House referred to had almost no publicity.
The only notifications that I am aware of came from some last-minute
emails circulated around the cycling community, and a flyer distributed
among the Annette St. businesses. I have seen no evidence that
Councillor Saundercook publicized the meeting at all.
At the poorly-attended meeting, the largest, and
loudest contingent was that of Annette St. businesses. (I have heard
from some supporters of the Annette bike lanes who attended the meeting
that they felt intimidated by the loud objections to the bike lanes by
some of the businesses attending).
By accounts I've heard, this was an utterly invalid
"public consultation":
- There was no formal presentation
- The city engineer in charge of the project did not arrive until late in
the meeting
- The only statistics presented re: parking impact were not broken down by
block or in any detail
- A city staff member attempted to answer questions one-on-one
Subsequent to the meeting, some of us attempted to
view the materials presented at the meeting. We made the request to the
City Transportation engineer managing the project twice by phone call,
and once by email.
We have not received any of this information. We have
no details on the parking changes necessitated by the Annette lanes, or
the city studies of parking impact. (Except for second-hand reports from
the meeting that the impact would be "minimal").
Is this any way to make decisions? It is not, and I
hope you will not decide to accept the inferior St. Johns Rd.
alternative based on this poor attempt at "compromise"
Very briefly, two other points I would like to make
are:
Business impact:
Unscientific observations of Annette St.seem to show that there is
almost always parking available within a block or two of the commercial
blocks. It certainly is important to make sure the bike lane proposal
does not cause serious problem to the community businesses, but it is
also important to recognize that businesses in the heart of the largest
city in Canada cannot always assume that customers will be able to find
a parking spot directly in front of their business.
Impact to Bike Plan
I believe this issue is more important than just Annette St. If the
City cannot build bike lanes on a relatively un-busy, relatively
un-commercialized street as Annette, what chance is there for completion
of the official Bike Plan?
If bike routes have to divert every time they pass a
small number of businesses, then I suggest we tear up the Bike Plan now.
But if the Bike Plan is to succeed, it needs to succeed on Annette St.
Again, I urge you to support bike lanes along the full
length of Annette St., and reject the utterly invalid "compromise" of
St. Johns Rd.
Thank your for your careful consideration
Mayfield Ave. (Ward 13)
I am writing to oppose the proposal to establish bike
lanes on St. Johns’ Road instead of Annette Street between Jane and
Runnymede.
Unfortunately due to previous commitments I am unable
to depute on June 4 but I wanted to make my voice heard.
As a resident on Beresford Avenue just south of
Annette Street, I am astonished that the City would consider this
proposal. This section of Annette Street is the natural extension of the
City’s Bike Plan in our area. I walk this area daily and see no lack of
parking space for cars and deliveries. The shops in the area, I would
note, are clustered only in the last block on the south side of Annette
at Jane, and the north side intermittently along the north side of
Annette west of Windermere. At Runnymede and Annette the shops are
essentially at the corner with a small parking lot on the north side of
the street.
Annette is essentially residential from Runnymede to
Armadale on the south side and from Beresford to Evans on the north
side, the majority of the strip. Not many cars park on that residential
stretch.
Annette is the natural artery – a continuation from
Davenport and Dupont to the Old Mill area and the Humber River. If we
can’t roll out the Bike Plan in this area with many bike users, what
does this say about the integrity of the larger plan? Is our City
serious about getting people out of cars? Do we want to make roads safer
for cyclists?
Councillor Saundercook may have held some kind of
consultation but I don’t recall receiving any notice and I do live in
the area affected. The resulting proposal does not represent the views
of the residents but appears to be a reaction to the vocal opposition of
a small number of merchants. Surely accommodations can be made for
deliveries for the shops that require such as I understand is the
concern of some merchants. We want to keep our small retail strip
thriving but I think that addition of bike lanes will increase rather
than drive away business. Bike riders will be encouraged to try a new
route and will be intrigued by the range of shops that they see.
I would ask that the City reconsider this ill thought
out proposal and revert to bike lanes along the full stretch of Annette
Street.
Thank you,
Beresford Avenue
Bill,
From my home in Etobicoke I periodically take Annette
when cycling downtown ... and on occasion, Dundas Street West. Both
routes defy the Gods because of the obvious vehicular dangers.
For years, the City has been promising more and real
bicycle lanes. Now I hear that you are buckling to some local objections
because of some misguided understanding that allowing a dedicated lane
will somehow harm them, their business opportunities or whatever .....
Denying a bike lane is as ridiculous as closing the
street to traffic. Who knows, we may stop and buy something en route
because we can more safely take it home with us on our bikes ....
Come on, Bill - take leadership and introduce your
community to the potential for many more people on their street, but
this time, instead of whizzing by in cars puffing out pollution, they
will be peddling quietly and safely ..... and very close to the store
fronts ....perhaps looking and perhaps to buy .... can't do that safely
in a car ....
Markland Drive
To whom it may concern
Tomorrow you will make a recommendation about the proposed bike lane on
Annette that is currently in jeopardy. As a Toronto citizen and avid
cyclist I fully support the full bike lane. Some businesses have
persuaded the councillor, Bill Saundercook, to not support the full bike
lane. This is a grave mistake. Meanwhile, many residents in the are were
not notified of the bike lane proposal and have not had a chance to
speak out in favour of the full bike lane.
Sincerely,
Hello
I am a citizen of the city of Toronto and
disheartening to find out the city is planning not to go forward with
the proposed bike lane on Annette Street. Even though I am not a
resident of this ward I am an avid cyclist. I support any initiative
which opens up more bike lanes in the city.
It has been reported recently, that Mayor David Miller
would like to move forward a number of green initiatives here for the
city. Bike lanes are an excellent example of such of this. By providing
safe lanes for the cyclists, we can encourage more people to leave their
cars at home and cycle. By nixing this bike lane (or any proposed bike
lane) seems to send a mixed message to constituents. How serious is city
council about a greener Toronto?
Not only does this encourage 'greener' activities it
also promotes healthier lifestyles. As many are aware, child obesity is
a huge problem today. Cycling provides a great way for kids to get out
and enjoy themselves and get some physical activity as well. I remember,
as a child, enjoying a good bike ride where ever and when ever I could.
But today children don't have that luxury because it is considered an
unsafe activity. We owe it to our children to provide a safe haven to
enjoy such activities.
As a cyclist, my safety is always at risk whenever I
get on my bike. It is unfortunate that a number of people driving cars
don't consider cyclist's safety when they drive. I have been cut off, 'doored',
and run off the road by people in cars. I am fortunate that I was not
seriously injured. But I have known people who have had a leg or an arm
broken due to careless of drivers. I don't for see people's driving
habits doing an about face anytime soon. Bike lanes do provide a safe
zone for cyclists to move about in Toronto.
I am sure I could come up with many more reasons for
you to reconsider the proposed bike lane on Annette Street. Bottom line
is this: The need fro bike lanes does exist. If we truly want our city
to be considered world class, shouldn't we promote the little things as
well as the larger ideas? After all, this attitude towards the bike lane
has been in embraced in many Europeans cities. It wouldn't hurt to
follow their lead.
Thank You
Re: bike lanes on Annette Street
I live on Medland St. and am often riding my bicycle
on Annette St. I am in support of the original proposal for a continuous
bike lane, with no diversions. People riding bikes, just like people in
cars, want direct routes, and will continue along Annette even if there
is no bike lane there. The city needs to support bike lanes. I attended
the meeting at the Annette St recreation centre, which was not well
publicized. I saw that a very small number of business owners were upset
that they might lose a parking space - I can't believe their businesses
will suffer because of one parking space. I ride my bike everywhere and
feel much safer when there is a biking lane. Please support the bike
lane and keep it all the way on Annette St.
Medland St
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:
I am unable to attend tomorrow's meeting but wish to
register my concern about the process that is being used to determine
the routing of bike lanes along Annette Street.
I use a bicycle as one of my main forms of
transportation (don't own a car), but also park a rental car
occasionally on Annette St. I live one block from Runnymede and Annette.
I am well-connected on environmental matters and heard about the public
meeting through a friend, on short notice, but had another community
meeting the same night. Since then, I've been checking the City website
and other sources to try to find out what the actual proposed
configuration is (how much parking, when, where, and where the lanes
would be placed on the road, etc.), all to no avail. The closest I have
come is a reference in a Villager article to parking on one side of the
street. Even now, on the City's website, with a link provided by a local
community group, I was just able to find a detailed and difficult to
follow report, but no map.
Without adequate information, I don't even know
whether I support the lanes as proposed or not, although in general I
believe Annette Street should be ideal for a bike lane route.
To add to this situation of inadequate public
information, now I hear that an adjustment is being made to serve the
needs of a few businesses near Jane Street. It does not seem right to
make such an adjustment, especially on an ad hoc basis, when it defeats
the whole concept of user-friendly bike routes, and particularly when
proper broad-based consultation has not taken place.
I urge the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
to send this matter back for more proper consultation, including
meaningful communication with the community.
Thank you.
Lincoln Ave.
I understand you may still decide to incorporate a
continuous bike lane along Annette. I also understand that on paper, at
least, the city would like to encourage and facilitate bike usage for
all the obvious reasons.
Biking as a primary mode of transportation has become
mainstream and as the air gets dirtier and gas prices go up bike
ridership will go up too. It is only logical to accommodate safe and
reasonable routes for now and for the future.
One real benefit would be an increase in the number of
potential customers for shops along the route. Bikers tend to shop in
their neighbourhoods rather than go to the big box centers.
It makes perfect sense to have a straight route along
Annette. Please don't destroy this possibility. Stick to your original
design on June 4.
Hopefully,
Swansea resident
I support bike lanes on every street in Toronto - safe
bike lanes, separated physically from the cars. I hope that eventually
we will have a wonderful, safe network of public bike lanes which I will
no longer be afraid to use.
In the meantime, I support the painted bike lanes, and
this includes the one planned for Annette St.
Please help create a safe, liveable city for our
children and grandchildren - and help save the planet.
Sincerely,
St Clair W
Dear Ms. Dyers, Members of the Public Works and
Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Saundercook, and Fellow Citizens,
I am writing to urge you to support the original plan
to create bike lanes along the full length of Annette St. from Dundas
St. W., along the full length of Annette St. from Dundas St. W., through
to Jane St., and not to adopt the proposed diversion of the bike route
to St. John's Rd. between Runnymede Rd. and Jane St.
I have arrived at this decision because I am deeply
concerned about:
1. The lack of true public consultation
The April 17th meeting was extremely poorly publicized. Few stake
holders were aware of the meeting, and consequently there was no balance
in representation of the issues. The accounts I've read of what actually
transpired are very disappointing, particularly in terms of process.
I believe it is the role of our Councillor to inform
the public of proposed plans in a timely fashion, and to hold a public
forum, in the neighbourhood, at which city staff make clear
presentations and educate the public, stake holders, as to the issues.
What should then follow is an informed discussion of the issues, and
fashioning of the decision which is truly in the interest of public
health and well-being. This was never done. The community must be
informed, in the community, and stake holders given opportunities,
within the community, to discuss the plan and issues pertaining to the
plan.
Given the controversy which is clearly evident now,
relative to the stretch of Annette from Runnymede west to Jane, I call
upon the City to convene the full public meeting on this issue, in the
neighbourhood, which has not taken place.
2. Climate Change
We are at a perilous juncture. It is evident that the City acknowledges
this in reports when we study the "Climate Change, Clean Air and
Sustainable Energy Action Plan" (2007), and "Ahead of the Storm" (2008).
As a citizen, as a tax payer, I expect my Councillor
and policy makers to use our collective resources to act in the best
interest of the health and well-being of our citizens, now and with
clear vision for our future. Now is the time to build as much resilience
as possible, in the face of climate change, in each community.
In order to seriously tackle the problems of smog,
local greenhouse gas emissions, increasing traffic congestion, and
escalating gas prices, Toronto City Council needs to actively support
programs and infrastructure changes that encourage walking and cycling.
This is not only the opportune time, as the road is being resurfaced, to
build in resilience by committing to an expanded, safe and efficient
network of bike lanes, but it is a real opportunity to educate the
public about 'the storm ahead'.
This debate, pitting "business as usual" versus building resilience for
a radically different future, must take place. We must take the path of
building in resilience.
3. Impact on business (Runnymede to Jane) of bike
lanes
I have read that a study found that the negative impact on business
would be minimal, that parking can be found adjoining this section, and
that solutions exist to challenges such as deliveries. It is a time of
change. Furthermore, businesses that line this section of bike lanes
should entertain the very real possibility that they could greatly
benefit from increased cycling traffic.
In conclusion, I urge the PWIC to do what is genuinely
in the best interest of public health and well-being. The original plan,
to establish bike lanes along the full length of Annette St. from
Runnymede to Jane, best respects this interest. True vision lies in
committing to the bikeway network.
I call upon the City to convene a well-publicized
public meeting on this issue, inviting City staff to present plans and
concerns, inviting all stake holders, to be held in the neighbourhood,
as soon as possible. This is a small stretch of city street, but the
issues are big and must be debated.
Please inform me of the outcome of the meeting of
Wednesday, June 4th. Please do not publish my personal information.
Thank you,
St. John's Road
Hello,
I'm writing to add my support to the calls for the
implementation of the Annette St. bike lane as designed in the City's
2001 Bike Plan.
The decision made tomorrow will last until Annette St.
is resurfaced again, in several decades. Given that oil prices have
quintupled in the past few decades, and show no sign of dropping, ever,
I would suggest that vehicle traffic may be a less desirable
transportation option in the next few years.
If concerns over delivery truck parking can be
addressed, I see no reason to divert the bike lanes.
Regards,
Hello
I am writing to oppose the proposals to establish bike
lanes on St. John's road instead of Annette Street between Jane and
Runnymede.
I am a recreational, neighborhood bicycler and would
very much like a simple, uncomplicated route to travel my neighborhood's
main streets. I am also a shopper and I can tell you that at my slow
recreational speed, I am more apt to do more shopping in the area if
traveling by bike rather than by car. There are no shops on St. Johns.
This may appear to be a trivial reason for
establishing bike lanes on Annette rather than St. John's, but needless
to say, the "green" argument and the "world class city" argument need
hardly be reiterated.
However, I do regret very much that Mr. Saundercook
did not take the leadership to involve the community in discussing this
vital matter. Truly the community was unaware of any public meeting and
is still unaware of some of the implications.
Yours truly,
Mayfield Avenue
I don't live in the nieghbourhood, so I'll give you
the views of someone who needs to ride to, or through it. I have been
riding for 20 years in Toronto, and the increase in bike traffic is
remarkable. If you can look ahead even 5 years things can change on
Annette.
Annette runs through a perfect biking community, with
lots of houses, full of people who need to leave the neighbourhood to go
to work or to go downtown. There are bike friendly back streets to get
them to good big thoroughfares that get them to the subway and downtown.
And to the west, it heads in the direction of the
Humber River bike trails, and cyclists like me, who are riding to or
though, need a way to get into this part of the city. There is no good
alternative. If there were one, I would suggest we do both lanes.
Will a lane on Annette take away parking? Let's say it
does. The question then becomes how do we get enough people on bikes
(and on the two things that go with bikes, busses and feet) to make up
for the parked cars. Surely a bike lane is capable of bringing more
people into the neighbourhood than cars ever could.
And people on bikes will be going slowly enough to see
and stop at the stores.
Mansfield Avenue
DEPUTATION
We are writing in
support of the proposed Annette Street bike lane. As regular cycle
commuters on Annette Street, we know this bike lane is badly needed. We
struggle daily with large trucks and other vehicles speeding and not
giving us the room we need to ride safely. We also have serious anxiety
about our young daughter cycling with us on this route. Our family wants
the City of Toronto to make a serious commitment to ensure families and
other cyclists can ride safely on Annette Street. In turn, we will do
our part by cycling to reduce our carbon footprint and to remain
physically fit.
The bike lane
plan as proposed for this route is to be commended. We must retain the
plan as designed. Any proposal to eliminate the proposed bike lane
between Runnymede and Jane streets should not be adopted, as this will
compromise cyclist safety and could lead to more accidents and even more
deaths. It is inappropriate to ask commuter cyclists to spend extra time
cycling further north to St. John's Road. Would we ask the same of car
commuters? Furthermore, allowing such a diversion away from the main
throughfare will set a bad precedent for future proposed bike lanes in
Toronto along streets with businesses, of which there are many
We encourage you
to heed the message that well designed bike lanes are part of a healthy
community. As your internal research reveals, there will still be ample
parking on Annette Street, even with the full bike lane plan as proposed.
We want to commend the City for devising a bike plan with a bold and
important vision for Toronto. We congratulate you for approving the
lanes along Marlee, Pharmacy, Dupont and part of Annette. However, if
we continue to prioritize parking over the safety of the cycling public,
we will never become the green city we claim to be.
The April 17th public
consultation meeting on the proposed bike lane at Annette Recreation
Centre was very poorly publicized and did not receive the important and
necessary feedback from local residents in Ward 13. You will
thus have received a very small and unrepresentative sample opposed to
the full bike lane. You will have heard complaints from some local
businesses about loss of parking along Annette Street due to a new bike
lane. We are dismayed that once again a small number of dissenting
voices has derailed a portion of the bike plan that was approved by
Council nearly eight years ago. I have here today just some of the
emails sent to Ward 13 Councillor Bill Saundercook and to your committee,
in support of the full bike lane. Most of these people own cars and are
confident they will still be able to support local business with a full
Annette Street bike lane.
A healthy community encourages
local residents to walk and cycle to local businesses. By bicycle,
people can explore their neighbourhood. They can engage in health
inducing exercise and will be more inclined to shop locally. The
storefronts along Annette will never be able to provide the same
convenience to drivers as car-oriented big box stores with huge parking
lots. Instead, these businesses can become part of the growing green
economy, carving out a different niche, with cycle and pedestrian
friendly storefronts. Bike parking facilities can encourage a new,
potentially loyal clientele, some from other neighourhoods. A full bike
lane on Annette Street will encourage more people to shop at independent
Annette Street stores, as cyclists have a much stronger connection with
the neighbourhoods they cycle through and interest in their surroundings,
compared to car drivers who are much less connected to the communities
they traverse.
We are committed to working with
Councillor Saundercook, the BIA and local community groups to see full
installation of the Annette Street bike lane. It is imperative to have a
continuous cycling network connecting Annette Street to the Humber
trails, for both commuter and pleasure cyclists. In this age of climate
change, we must take every step we can to ensure commuter and pleasure
cyclists in Toronto have safe streets to ride on.