Toronto police officers are monitoring a stretch of Simcoe Street, as cyclists ride along a new set of bike lanes for the first time.
The city officially opened the bike northbound and southbound bike lanes between Queen and Wellington streets Wednesday morning.
Police officers are patrolling the lanes as part of an education and enforcement initiative.
Motorists could face a $150 if they are caught blocking a bike lane. The set fine cannot be reduced in court.
Daniel Egan, Toronto’s manager of cycling infrastructure and programs, said the new Simcoe Street lanes are part of a broader downtown network, and they will connect cyclists to Queens Quay and new cycle tracks that are scheduled to open later this month on Richmond and Adelaide streets.
There is also a change for motorists.
They will be allowed to travel in both directions between Wellington and Front streets. Previously, that stretch of Simcoe was a one-way in the southbound direction.
Simcoe remains a southbound one-way between Wellington and Queen streets.
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