Bike Lanes on Bloor

Bike lanes in the city. Love’em or hate’em, they are increasingly a part of Toronto’s cycling infrastructure. Though, certainly with a checkered history. We’ve had them installed and promptly removed on Jarvis. They’ve helped make Harbord/Wellesley a popular passageway east-west through down-town for many years. There’s that confusing mess of paint, lights and barriers on Queen’s Quay. And now, after years of discussions, deliberations and debates, Toronto City Council voted last week to install bike lanes on Bloor St. While some complain about bike lanes, I welcome them. Though, not for what they are but for what they represent.

Cyclists often bemoan bike lanes with the view that they promote the us versus them culture between cyclists and motorists. That taking cyclists out of the auto lanes denigrates cyclists to second-class road users, rather than equal members of traffic. Some folks complain that they don’t matter, that motorists will still park in those lanes, will still cut-off cyclists, particularly at intersections.

Personally, I welcome bike lanes because they represent and shift in consciousness. The fact that cycling has become such a prominent part of the conversation surrounding transportation infrastructure is huge. Council voted 38-3 in favour of the new lanes. 38-3, that’s massive!  Cycling in the city is less of a fringe activity. It’s increasingly being seen for what it is; a legitimate part of this city’s identity. Maybe bike lanes aren’t the best answer but the fact we’re asking the question means the climate is shifting…to one that recognizes and validates bikes as part of traffic, not a burden to it.

Bike lanes aren’t going to eliminate bad drivers but they do high-light bad behaviour. And hopefully, that will lead to Toronto cops issuing more tickets for those infractions. And the presence of those lanes will also cause motorists to be more aware that there may be a cyclist nearby. Again, a change in consciousness.

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So I welcome by bikes lanes on Bloor. I welcome them because it means things are improving. It means councillors and city planners are changing the way they look at urban transit infrastructure. It means poor driving behaviour will be tolerated less, while two-wheeled bahaviour is encouraged.  Congratulations Toronto, you just might be a world-class city after-all. Just keep those pedals turning.