City hall’s public works committee is set to give its recommendation Wednesday on a proposal to test out a designated cycling corridor in part of Toronto’s downtown core.
In an effort to protect cyclists, the pilot project would put a westbound cycle track on Richmond Street, between York and Bathurst streets, and an eastbound track on Adelaide Street, from Bathurst to Simcoe streets.
Cycle tracks would also be installed on Simcoe, from Front to Queen Streets, and Peter Street, between Queen and King streets.
The proposal also calls for:
- Westbound contra-flow lanes on Richmond (Bathurst to Niagara streets), Phoebe Street (Beverley to Soho streets), and Stephanie Street (John to Beverley streets).
- A southbound bike lane on Bathurst, between Richmond and Adelaide.
The estimated cost of the corridor is $390,000.
With the installation of new cycling lanes or tracks, there will be less room for vehicles and there will be changes to parking, standing and stopping regulations, a staff report says.
The report does not recommend widening the streets.
Public works chair Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong said some street parking spaces will be eliminated and there will be designated spots for delivery vehicles.
During an ongoing environmental assessment study, staff will evaluate the parking situation and the alignment of the lanes for cyclists and motorists to determine whether they need to be adjusted.
Before the pilot project can proceed, it must be approved by council at its June 10 meeting.
If that happens, staff will submit a final report to council in 2015.
Minnan-Wong said the bike lanes will eventually be extended east to Sherbourne Street, where a north-south corridor opened last year.
Next month, council is being asked to approve the installation of bike lanes on both sides of Harbord Street, from Spadina Avenue to Borden Street, and at the intersections of Bathurst and Ossington Avenue.
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