Better Separation Between Bikes & Cars
At City Council's June 2011 meeting City Staff were instructed to proceed with the detailed design and consultation process to improve bicycle lanes on Sherbourne Street with the goal of implementing them in 2012.
Transportation Staff did extensive research in the development of recommendations for improvements of the existing bicycle lanes. A Public Open House was held Thursday January 26th, 2012 to consult Sherbourne St. residents, businesses, and the general public..
We want your input
If you were unable to attend the Public Open House, but would still like to comment on the materials posted above, please contact us by February 17th, 2012.
Background
The existing Sherbourne Street bike lanes were installed in 1996. On July 12, 2011, City Council directed City staff to proceed with detailed design and consultation to upgrade the Sherbourne bike lanes with the aim to better separate cars and bikes and improve safety for cyclists. The construction of the upgraded bike lanes is scheduled to start in summer 2012 in combination with the resurfacing of Sherbourne Street.
Separated bike lanes have been implemented in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver and are popular in hundreds of other cities around the world. Sherbourne is the first of a series of separated bike lanes approved by Council to improve the cycling network in downtown Toronto.
Design Considerations
Separated bike lanes require more width than the existing painted bike lanes. In order to maintain the traffic flow and efficient TTC bus service along Sherbourne Street, the new design will result in the following changes:
- Removal of all on-street parking on Sherbourne
- Left-turns restricted at King Street and Shuter Street during rush hours
The design will maintain vehicle access to all connecting driveways and laneways along Sherbourne Street. In addition, approximately 27 new on-street parking spaces will be added to some east-west streets off of Sherbourne Street to partially offset the loss of parking on Sherbourne Street.
Affected City agencies and departments are involved in the design process to ensure the needs of City services are addressed. This includes:
- TTC Bus service
- Wheel-Trans pick-up/drop-off
- Fire and emergency access
- Curb-side waste collection
- Snow removal and street cleaning
Design details are still being finalized and we would appreciate your review and feedback. View the draft designs at our January 26 public open house.
Design and Construction Time Line
Design and construction timing will vary by section as described below.
Elm Ave. to Bloor St.
- No change to the existing bike lanes.
Bloor St. to Gerrard St.
- No major road works – localized surface repairs where needed in 2012.
- Bike lanes maintained at road level.
- Mountable curbs, flexible bollards (short poles) and painted buffers to separate bike and traffic lanes.
Gerrard St. to Front St.
- Roadway resurfacing in 2012 enables permanent cycle track design.
- Cycle Track – raised bike lane at sidewalk level.
- Separated by rolled curb with a painted buffer between cycle track and traffic lanes.
Front St. to Lake Shore Blvd.
- 2013 roadway reconstruction – permanent cycle track design.
Lake Shore Blvd. to Queens Quay
- 2013 Waterfront Toronto reconstruction.
- To be designed in consultation with Waterfront Toronto.
We Need to Hear From You
With these important impacts and changes in mind, we continue to consult with property owners and residents along Sherbourne Street. There may be opportunities for maintaining priority on street vehicle loading locations, creating alternative parking arrangements and or finding other solutions to reduce any negative impacts from the new physically separated bicycle lane.
Contact
Transportation Services
Cycling Infrastructure & Programs
100 Queen St W, City Hall,
22nd Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
24 hr voicemail: 416-338-1066
E-mail: bikesherbourne@toronto.ca
Fax: 416-392-4808
TTY: 416-392-2974
