I am a longtime area constituent in Ward 13, I fully support
and expect dedicated bike lanes on Annette Street.
The business people on Annette Street should accept that
people who use bikes for transportation also go shopping as well. The loss of
parking spaces will not result in a loss of potential customers!
Public consultation resulted in overwhelming support of the
bike lanes. Please do not deviate from the plan to install them dedicated bike
lanes on Annette Street. These "sharrows" are no substitute, re-routing the
lanes are not a substitute. The people of Toronto want a sustainable future,
providing bike lanes is one small, baby-step in that direction.
Sincerely,
Gothic Avenue
I am glad the Annette bike lane debate is being reopened. I
applaud Councillor Heaps for doing so. Annette St. needs a bike lane. The City
planners made that clear in their reports. The public who attended the meeting
were overwhelmingly in support of the recommendation. Even the majority of
business owners along that stretch felt it was a good idea. Annette is an
important east west link in the City. It needs a bike lane.
I especially hope that Councillor Grimes receives this. I live
in Ward 6. I commute daily by bike and see bike lanes as critical to solving
some of the traffic problems in Toronto. I am encouraged by a Councillor who is
supportive of bike issues.
I sent this note to Councillor Saundercook on September 28th
and like other times in the past when I've contacted his office (only twice
before but only responded once) either did not get a reply or any follow up.
When in person he demonstrates empathy but when it comes down to it he runs and
hides....
Dear Mr. Saundercook, I have been a resident of BWV for 18
years and am very disappointed with the very limited progress in establishing
bike lanes in our community. All around and near us are some of the best biking
options in the GTA and when finally a small step is made to better link this for
the residents you choose a route to satisfy the few at the expense of the many.
You choose to support the status quo instead of moving forward on a stated city
objective.
Extending along Annette directly leads nicely towrads the
Humber River and Trails. Fact is that riders who use the first stretch to
Runnymede will continue on anyway and thus you sir by choosing this alternate
route are creating a safety hazard.
Shame on you sir!
My name is XXX and I am a resident (and property tax payer) on
Willard Ave. Toronto. I wish to register my complete support for dedicated bike
lanes on the Runnymede to Jane section of Annette St. I live within 50 feet of
Annette Street and frequent the small shops on Annette St. I do not believe that
the provision of bike lanes will greatly impact the trade for small businesses
in the area and much of it comes from foot traffic already. Making cycling safer
will encourage local residents to frequent local businesses rather than driving
out of the area to larger stores. If Annette St. is integrated into the larger
cycling network it will bring additional “bike-wheel” traffic, which is
potential trade, past our shop fronts.
I have a small child who will shortly join the bike riding
community in the area, and I want her to be able to ride safely. I intend that
she cycle to school and back each day as we are at the far corner of the
Runnymede Jr. and Sr. school catchment area. I do not believe that “sharrows”
provide any real, effective protection to cyclists as they negotiate Annette
Street and move around the area. The vehicle traffic moves very swiftly on this
section of Jane Street and the misaligned nature of the Annette/Baby Point and
Jane intersection is a good argument for prioritization of passage for
pedestrians and cyclists across that intersection – not for making passage to
that intersection more difficult as per Councillor Saundercock’s comments.
Given the greater use made of bicycles in this area relative
to the rest of the city due to (a) its residential nature, (b) the high
propensity of children and schools and (c) the relatively to good public
transport links making bicycles a practical mode of commuter transport -
dedicated bike lanes are a no-brainer. The real question is whether cars should
be given, what is in practice under the sharrow proposal, unhindered use of
Annette St. regardless of any other road-user – or discouraged from the area and
diverted north on Runnymede to Dundas W. to join Jane St.
I urge you to see through Coucillor Saundercock’s claims to
public consultation as the lies that they are - The residents will have the
final say at the next election on that issue. I request that you pay careful
attention to the findings of your own city staff and the overwhelming support
for bike lanes from those of us who live, shop, bike ride and drive in the area
and on Annette St on a daily basis. I urge you to do the right thing at the next
City Council meeting and reject sharrows in favour of dedicated bike lanes for
the Runnymede -> Jane section of Annette St.
Yours very sincerely
Willard Ave.
Please forward this email to all Councillors regarding the
above item for the Oct. 29/30 Council meeting. I want to add my name to the list
of those who have been expressing their dismay at the recent turn of events
regarding the Annette Street bike lanes. I live a couple of blocks south of
Annette. I ride and drive in the neighbourhood and shop in the stores on Annette
Street near Jane. I understand that the public support for the dedicated bike
lanes has been overwhelming. This makes sense -- cyclists desperately need the
bike lanes and so does the community. Please, show leadership by making a
principled decision that recognizes the real long-term advantages to creating a
more bike-friendly city.
Ardagh Street
I live in Ward 13, just two blocks north of Annette Street,
near Runnymede Road. I own a house there and I pay property taxes. I frequently
drive and shop in the neighbourhood, and when I can, I bike and shop in the
neighbourhood. Please build these bike lanes on Annette Street. It will
encourage me, and others, to frequent the businesses along Annette Street that
much more - instead of driving to Bloor Street or elsewhere to do our shopping.
I am very disappointed with Councillor Saundercook's lack of
leadership on this issue, and I hope he reconsiders his stance on this matter,
or I will be considering my support for him in the next municipal election.
I am a resident and property owner in the Junction
neighborhood and I want a complete bike lane along Annette Avenue.
This bike lane has the support of the majority of residents in
the area, respect us and keep the bike lane plans as is.
I travel to many cities in North America and Europe and I am
sick and tired of seeing my city constantly falling behind due to narrow minded
councilors like Mr. Saundercook. Our future is constantly being delayed by
people who can't see beyond their back yard and I am sick of this.
My motives for a bike lane are also selfish, because I realize
that by curbing down car usage in the Junction I will have a more dynamic
neighborhood; less cars equals more people in the street, more people in the
street equals more business, more business equals more value for my property.
When I have friends from Europe coming over I have to justify
our stupidity by mentioning councilors like Saundercook, I ask city council to
stop embarrassing itself and do the right thing, show some courage and lead for
a change. We are already deep into the 21st century, stop acting like you are
stuck in the past and do your jobs.
Please forward this email to all Councillors regarding the
above item for the Oct. 29/30 Council meeting
Yours truly
Indian Road Crescent
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the
scaling-back of the proposed bike lanes on Annette Street to “Sharrows.” My
family has lived in the neighborhood for nine years, and both my husband and I
work downtown at Gerrard & Yonge. For the last two years we have been attempting
to commute downtown via bicycle. Annette-Dupont is the fastest and most logical
cycling route downtown, as it is straight and flat compared to the
Dundas/College route (which is also riddled with hazardous streetcar tracks).
However, the pace of traffic (including large trucks) along this road, and the
general disregard of parking drivers for cyclists, has meant several close calls
for each of us. My husband was hit by the door of a parked car on Annette St
when a driver failed to check before opening it. I was “squeezed” into the curb
under the train bridge at Dundas & Annette by a taxi and took a bad spill.
News of the proposed bike lanes made us feel very heartened
about Toronto’s commitment to its environment-and-health-minded citizens; we
felt supported and encouraged in our efforts to model this option to our
children and our neighbors. I am extremely disappointed in the efforts to claw
back these lanes, as I feel that drivers on the Annette-Dupont route in
particular need a much clearer physical demarcation and cognitive reminder that
they must respect cyclists’ right to be on the road than a shared lane would
offer.
As to the argument from merchants towards Annette & Jane St
that bike lanes would draw business away by inhibiting parking: this reasoning
is flawed for three reasons. First, the decrease in business due to construction
this summer includes a high proportion of cycling and foot traffic driven away
by the machines. Sidewalks were blocked and curbsides impassible, so we all
found other routes to travel with our cycles, strollers, children, and dogs.
These are local specialty stores, and we shop there not because we can park, but
because we can get there without a car, stroll with a coffee and see friends on
the way! Bike lanes would significantly increase passing traffic of the kind
that tends to stop for flowers, gifts, and green-grocery items on the way home.
Second, Torontonians are used to parking a half-block away from the store
they’re aiming for. College St is an excellent example of a stretch where
small-scale businesses thrive despite the competition between parking and bike
lanes. Third, it’s nonsensical to argue that customers will flee to big-box
stores so they can park easily; one simply cannot buy the same products at
big-box stores that one can buy at Windergarden or Little Lola! The boutiques
along Annette St and the Wal-Mart draw two completely different crowds to begin
with.
Thank you for your ongoing consideration of this matter. We
are counting on City Council to follow through on its commitment to a
cycling-friendly Toronto!
As someone that has lived in the west end neighbourhood for a
number of years I think Annette would be a good street for a bike lane. I still
use Annette to cycle when visiting friends and family in the area and know that
the street is highly prized by the community for its charm, a bike lane would
add to the areas sense of community.
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.
I am strongly opposed to truncating the lanes at Runnymede, as
has been recently proposed. The installation of so-called sharrows as proposed
is not acceptable to me. If the installation of sharrows succeeds this will be a
precedent that jeopardizes the future viability of proposed and existing bike
lanes anywhere in Toronto.
Please support the bike lane on Annette Street!
I am writing in reference to item number PW19.8, and I request
that the clerk's office forward this letter electronically to all councilors.
I am a regular bike commuter along Dupont and Annette Streets
and am looking forward to the end of construction and the inclusion of bike
lanes along this route.
Last Friday I again witnessed a near collision between a
fellow cyclist and a motor vehicle. It was a very close call, and the difference
of a split-second would have certainly meant serious injury or death. Twice
daily as I manoeuvre under the rail line where Dupont meets Annette, I am
reminded of the cyclist death that occured there a few years ago.
I have been a committed bike commuter for decades; it is a
lean, green way to get around. And as I get older, I also recognize cycling as a
way to humanize our city, although I also worry more about the personal risks of
sharing the road with vehicles hundreds of times larger and heavier than mine.
Bike lanes reduce this risk.
As more people recognize the benefits of cycling (see Paris,
Barcelona, Copenhagen etc.), we must make it safer and easier for them to make
the choice to ride. Bike lanes are one way to do this. The goal of developing an
extensive bike lane network across Toronto is long overdue. This network must be
logical and practical to use. A gap in the network (such as discontinuing the
bike lane between Runnymede and Jane) will discourage riders and could endanger
their lives.
Toronto bike commuters are productive and creative members of
our community, who do NOT create a massive carbon footprint getting to work
every day. It would be sensible if the city government would bias decisions in
favour of cyclists rather than drivers.
Yarmouth Rd.
I am destressed that my councilor Bill Saundercook would
override the overwhelming number of people at the meeting who voted in favour of
proper bike lanes on Annette St
I live in the neigbourhood and do most of my errands as well
as going downtown on occassion on my bike. I am pleased to reduce my car usage
as a result of biking and would be relieved to find that I can do it in much
greater safety. As I missed the original meeting I would like to add my support
right now for bike lanes from Jane to Runnymede along Annette St.
Dear Councillor Heaps
We are strongly in favour of full bike lanes on Annette. It is
a disgrace that Councillor Saundercook is trying to override the wishes of the
majority of residents to appease a few businesses. We hope that the council will
do the right thing and vote for full bike lanes on Annette.
Regards
Runnymede Road
My name is XXXX. I'm 27 years old and I live in the Junction.
I work at a photography studio near Dupont and Lansdowne. I use to ride my bike
to work along Annette Street. After getting into an accident last month, I no
longer feel comfortable commuting by bike.
I was riding east on Dupont near Symington. A car cut in front
of me and I was forced to slam on my brakes. I went over my handle bars and
landed on my head. Luckily I was wearing a helmet. I managed to walk away with a
sore shoulder (which still hasn't healed). The driver didn't stop to see if I
was okay. And I haven't been on my bike since.
Cars and bikes compete for space on roads; they don't share
it. Installing "sharrows" on Annette Street is a step in the wrong direction.
Bicyclists need dedicated bike lanes.
PS - Attached is a picture of my helmet which cracked upon
impact:
To the City of Toronto Councillors:
We urge all City Councillors at the October 29/30 Council
meeting to (1) vote against the motion regarding a shared roadway on Annette St.
between Runnymede Ave. and Jane St. and (2) adopt instead the recommendation of
the City staff to provide full bike lanes on Annette St. from Jane St. to
Runnymede Ave.
For most of our lives, we have lived in Ward 13, originally in
Bloor West Village and now in Swansea. We are personally familiar with Annette
St., having walked, driven, cycled, bused and shopped along it many, many times.
Our grandchildren attend Annette St. P.S. so we maintain a regular connection
with that part of the ward.
Based on our own experience, we are firmly of the opinion that
Annette St. lends itself to the provision of full bike lanes. It still retains
its residential character with few businesses along it. Those that are there are
surely not dependent for survival on customer parking directly in front of their
stores. If this were the case, many businesses would be bankrupt throughout the
city. There is adequate parking in the neighbourhood to accommodate cars without
sacrificing the provision of safe bike lanes for cyclists.
The success of the city's bike plan is at stake here, the
rationale being if Annette St. is deemed not suitable for full bike lanes, then
there will be few streets in the city that will qualify. It is of pressing
importance, therefore, that the majority of Councillors refuse to allow a few
selfish businesses and their councillor allies to undermine the city's bike
plan.
Please give your support for the installation of full bike
lanes along Annette St. from Jane St. to Runnymede Ave., thereby providing safe
cycling for the local community and the completion of a safe cycling route to
Lansdowne and the downtown.
Ellis Gdns.
As a resident in the Junction, avid bikerider, and mother of 2
schoolage boys, I support the construction of bike lanes on Annette Street.
I wish to have my voice heard by councilors in the hopes it
may overturn your recent decision.
My children like to ride their bikes to school and I see it as
their main method of transportation for the next 10 years. Their school is
located on Annette Street.
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 bik elanes on Annette St.
Very importantly, as there is a halfway house in the
neighbourhood sheltering pedophiles, I feel that riding a bike is safer for my
kids than walking. We’ve had alerts sent home from school, including pictures,
of the pedophiles who reside here. On a bike, there is less likelihood that a
child or young adult will be lured by a pedophile and more opportunity to escape
one.
We support the businesses in our neighbourhood also, but feel
that parking concessions could be made.
May I request that the clerk's office forward my letter
electronically to all councilors.
Thanks,
I'm writing to express my disappointment in the recent
decision by the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee to reject full bicycle
lanes on Annette Street. (item number PW19.8) I understand the issue is to be
revisited by City Council on October 29/30th, and I strongly urge you to support
the installation of full bicycle lanes.
As an avid cyclist who rides from the Danforth to the
Financial District downtown every day and spends considerable time riding
recreationally around the city, I consider it vital for Toronto to improve its
cycling infrastructure. Cycling is an extremely healthy, environmentally
friendly, and affordable means of transportation that Toronto City Council
could, and should, be doing much more to support.
The rejection of bicycle lanes on Anette Street (in favour of
"sharrows", which offer no real safety benefit to cyclists) is particularly
disappointing given that the lanes were recommended by city staff – who
concluded the impact on parking for local businesses would be minimal – and
received substantial support from the community and the public. While I can
understand there may be conditions and issues in some areas that preclude
bicycle lanes, that certainly does not appear to be the case here.
In support of this position, I encourage you to review some of
the following items:
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.
Sincerely,
I live on Beresford Avenue, just south of Annette in Bloor
West Village. I cannot understand why the City and our local councillor would
turn aside the recommendations of City staff, the Bicycling Plan, and the views
of the neighbourhood residents and the larger biking community for proper bike
lanes in favour of unsafe sharrows.
I thought our City was committed to the reduction in the use
of the automobile and the increase in the use of alternative forms of transit.
Greening our city means getting residents out of their cars to either walk or
bike or take public transit. Safe biking is needed for healthy exercise.
Sharrows compromise the safety needed particularly for young persons.
As a shopper I don’t expect to get a parking spot in front of
the business that I am patronizing, either on the street or at a mall. Surely
accommodation can be made for parking on the north south streets close to
Annette to serve the needs of local businesses. In my observation as a walker,
there never seems to be a shortage in parking in the area.
Please overrule the “community” council recommendation and
push ahead with Annette bike lanes.
Hello, I am writing with regards to item number PW19.8.
I ride my bike to and from work everyday (I am a high school
teacher) and am very discouraged about the results of the vote re: Annette St.
bike lane. Clearly, the bigger picture is being lost in petty neighbourhood
squabbles and politically-motivated councillors from these neighbourhoods.
I firmly believe that council should focus on approving lanes
for major arteries. To work piecemeal on minor sections of minor roads is to
create a jigsaw puzzle with too many key pieces missing and no final picture in
view. Counting numbers of km's added to a bike plan by a certain date may give
the appearance that council is "moving forward" (how I hate that weaselly
expression!) on the bike plan, but the reality on many major old city roads
remains brutally dangerous.
Forget Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke. Focus on lanes
for commuters on major old city main streets. These streets cut through several
wards and neighbourhoods and thus there is less a sense of local ownership and a
greater opportunity to show big-city vision and courage. Side streets and minor
streets in the former burbs can be used for recreational cycling and detours
while we tax-paying commuters need easy, safe access throughout, across, and up
and down (maybe even above-elevated bike highway anyone?) the old city and we
need it now!
Regards,
I am an ex-pat currently living in New York. Sad to say, but
supposedly gritty, failed and decrepit Manhattan has far surpassed Toronto in
terms of facilities for bicyclists. Separate right-of-ways on city streets,
lushly landscape bikeways along parks, miles of new lanes... Keeping Toronto
competitive in the global league of cities is not just about who gets a new
waterfront development or subway line (though Toronto is currently failing in
these categories also) -- it is also about the little details, like building a
safe and usable bike network piece by piece across the city.
Please add the bike lanes to Annette Street, ideally on the
curb (with the parked cars between the bikes and traffic lanes).
I am a resident of Montye Avenue and a father of a small
child. Montye Avenue is one block north of Annette Street. Councillor
Saundercook has never made a single attempt to notify us regarding the matter of
the Annette Street Bike Lane. This decision directly affects me and my family.
We need to have a safe way to access the many family oriented services along
Annette street that my family uses, like the Annette Street community
recreational centre, library, schools, daycare, grocery stores, children's art
school and many more. I ask that you overturn the position of the Public Works
and Infrastructure Committee and approve the dedicated full bike lane proposal.
Give us who cycle in the area a safe means of transiting along
Annette Street.
Sincerely,
Montye Avenue Resident
Hi Bill,
Just wanted to write a note expressing my deep disappointment
that you continue to ignore the residents' (the people who elect and support
you) wishes to have safe bike lanes along Annette St.
We live one block north of Annette and do shop and patronize
many of the businesses on Annette. It's so frustrating that we feel like we
should boycott these businesses. I'm sure that's not what you or they are
looking for, but at this point I don't know how else to make the point.
Annette St. is the perfect candidate for bike lanes. I feel
like you should be educating these businesses on how bike lanes can (and do in
other parts of the city) increase exposure and patronage to their businesses,
not to mention making the streets safer for PEOPLE. There are many children in
this neighbourhood. They deserve to be safe. There has never been a parking
issue along Annette.
I would like to hear back and learn exactly why you are intent
on killing this project. I really don't understand it at all.
montye ave