[getsmart-l] FW: [TCAT News e-bulletin] April 14, 2008

[Janet May]

  _____  

From: Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation
[mailto:info at torontocat.ca] 
Sent: April 14, 2008 5:50 PM
To: janet at smartgrowth.on.ca
Subject: [TCAT News e-bulletin] April 14, 2008

 


April 14, 2008


[If you are having trouble reading this message please
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/node/226> click here] 


Recent TCAT activities and news items:


1.	Annette Street Bike Lanes - Public Meeting, April 17
2.	Jarvis Streetscape Improvement - Bike lane update
3.	Bike Summit 2008 - There's still time to register!
4.	Chicago Takes a Stand Against Dooring and other dangerous traffic
offences - New ordinance passed 
5.	Metrolinx Green Paper Consultation Extended

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1. Annette Street Bike Lanes - Public Meeting, April 18


As reported in the  <http://www.torontocat.ca/main/node/199> March 17th TCAT
News e-Bulletin, there are bike lanes proposed, as part of the Bikeway
Network, for Annette Street in Etobicoke. From
<http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/cyclometer/2008_apr.htm#3> this month's
Cyclometer: 

You're invited to a Public Open House to review and provide comments on a
proposal to install bicycle lanes on Annette Street between Jane Street and
Dundas Street West. This is part of a 3.5 kilometre east-west bikeway
planned for installation this summer. 

*	Date: Thursday, April 17
*	Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
*	Location: Annette Recreation Centre, 333 Annette Street. 

For more information or to provide comment e-mail
<mailto:bikeplan at toronto.ca> bikeplan at toronto.ca or fax 416-392-4808.

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2. Jarvis Streetscape Improvement - Bike lane update


Following a large volume of communication from the cycling community to the
City's consultation team working on the
<http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/index.htm> Jarvis
Streetscape Improvement Environmental Assessment, the City has responded. It
appears that the City has taken a position whereby pedestrian and cyclist
needs cannot be fully met - a compromise is needed. The following is an
update from the City's public consultation coordinator working on the
project. 

"A number of people have expressed their concern that bike lanes on Jarvis
Street were not included in the proposed alternatives for this study. These
concerns have been shared with members of the project team. In light of
these comments, I would like to share with you information that I have
received from Transportation Services.

As you know, the purpose of the Jarvis Street EA study is to improve the
streetscape of Jarvis Street, from Bloor Street East to Queen Street East,
to compliment development and to enhance the pedestrian environment and to
establish Jarvis as a cultural corridor with an emphasis on its historical
significance.

Jarvis Street, from Bloor Street to Queen Street is characterised by its
many heritage properties. Jarvis Street is classified as a "Special Street"
in the City's Streetscape Manual, as well as a "Cultural Corridor" is the
report entitled "Canada's Urban Waterfront - Waterfront Cultural and
Heritage Infrastructure Plan." 

Jarvis currently has five narrow traffic lanes with a reversible center
lane. The traffic analysis conducted for the EA has concluded that the
reversible centre lane can be eliminated, which would reduce the number of
traffic lanes from five to four. This reduction in traffic lanes will result
in a modest increase in delay and travel time for motor vehicles and a
reduction in reserve capacity during emergency road closures.

Eliminating the reversible centre lane will result in approximately 3.0
metres of roadway width that can be re-allocated. Providing bicycle lanes on
Jarvis Street would require all of this "extra width" to be dedicated to
bicycles, with 1.5 metre wide bicycle lanes in each direction, and would
maintain the current roadway width. The bicycle lane alternative does not
provide an opportunity to substantially improve the pedestrian realm and,
therefore, it does not fully meet the objectives of the Jarvis Street EA
objectives.

Although bicycle lanes are not being proposed on Jarvis Street, the EA study
team recognizes the importance of improving the cycling environment on
Jarvis Street. The existing curb lanes on Jarvis Street are narrow and do
not provide a comfortable environment for cyclists. The preliminary
preferred alternative attempts to achieve a balance by reallocating a
portion of the "extra" 3.0 metres to the pedestrian realm and to the
roadway. This alternative will result in a significantly improved
streetscape design, a more inviting pedestrian environment and wider curb
lanes to improve conditions for cyclists.

I urge you to continue to be involved in this Environmental Assessment
process either through the City's site
<http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/index.htm>
http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/index.htm, the Facebook group
and upcoming public events." 

TCAT will continue to monitor this project, and urge the City not to choose
between cyclists and pedestrians; instead to continue working with the
community to find the best option for all road users.

  _____  


3. Bike Summit 2008 - There's still time to register!


 <http://www.torontocat.ca/main/bikesummit2008> Bike Summit 2008 is on April
25th. There are still spots available to attend, but we are filling up fast.


To register, please
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/bikesummit2008/registration> click here 

Below is a list of confirmed speakers: 

*	London Cycling Campaign Chief Executive Koy Thompson 
*	Chicago Land Bicycle Federation Chief Strategy Officer Randy Neufeld

*	Principal, Alta Planning + Design Jeff Olson 
*	Senior Transportation Planner, City of Seattle, Peter Lagerwey 
*	Vélo Québec Research Director, Marc Jolicoeur 
*	TREK Director of Advocacy Rebecca Anderson 
*	Toronto City Councillor Adrian Heaps 
*	Transport Canada Senior Advisor David MacIsaac 
*	BTAC Advocacy Director Usman Valiante 
*	City of Toronto Manager of Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure
Daniel Egan 
*	Metrolinx Policy & Planning Advisor Briana Illingworth 
*	Bike Train Initiative Project Lead Justin Lafontaine 
*	Town of Markham Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair
Dwight Richardson 

For speaker profiles and the schedule for the day, please visit the
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/bikesummit2008> Bike Summit 2008 web site by
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/bikesummit2008> clicking here. 

We hope to see you there! 

  _____  


4. Chicago Takes a Stand Against Dooring and other dangerous traffic
offences - New ordinance passed


Thanks to some work by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, Chicago now has
an answer to a few big problems we all face on busy roads. Torontonians are
no strangers to dooring, cars parked in bike lanes and other traffic
offenses that endanger cyclists. 

"Chicago cyclists are cheering passage of a significant local ordinance
promising much greater protection from motorists. The legislation --
endorsed by the Mayor and city Department of Transportation -- was passed on
March 12 and prohibits opening a door into moving traffic; sets a three-foot
minimum passing distance; increases fines for parking in a bike lane or
marked shared lane; and prohibits motorists from turning right in front of a
bicyclist. The ordinance sets a minimum fine of $500 when these actions lead
to a bicycle crash. The provision was a major goal of the 2015 Bike Plan,
and was backed enthusiastically by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation." 

For more information, please visit the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation web
site by  <http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=1444_0_11_0> clicking
here 

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5. Metrolinx Green Paper Consultation Extended


Metrolinx has extended the period in which they will receive comments from
the public on their 'Green Papers'. The Active Transportation Green Paper is
included - you can submit comments until June 13th. 

To read the Green Papers and submit comments, go to the Metrolinx Regional
Transportation Plan web site by
<http://metrolinx-consult.limehouse.com/portal> clicking here 

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Cycling-related events:


*	 <http://www.ibiketo.ca/event> I Bike TO events calendar 

*	 <http://bikingtoronto.com/calendar/> Biking Toronto events calendar
*	 <http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/uds/cyclingcal.nsf/AllEvents?OpenView>
City of Toronto cycling event 

If you know of other cycling or pedestrian related calendars to include,
please let us know by e-mailing  <mailto:info at torontocat.ca>
info at torontocat.ca 

  _____  


TCAT News - Help spread the word! 


TCAT is continually looking to increase its list of supporters. It helps to
be able to say how many people and organizations support the work we do when
we speak with City Councillors, City staff, and the media, or put out a
publication. Please send this message to any groups or individuals you think
would be interested in learning more about TCAT, receiving our weekly
e-Bulletin, or volunteering with TCAT. 

To learn more about TCAT, visit our web site at  <http://www.torontocat.ca/>
www.torontocat.ca, e-mail  <mailto:info at torontocat.ca> info at torontocat.ca or
call 416.392.0290 

To subscribe to TCAT News,  <http://www.torontocat.ca/main/join> click here 

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