The City of Toronto has completed installation of bike routes in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. The new facilities improve accessibility and safety, and create new ways for people to cycle around the area, and connect to local trails and public transit.

The bike lanes were approved by Toronto City Council on April 24, 2018. Please read the updated Common Questions tab for more information about these changes.

Construction Notice & Design

This project was completed in July 2021. Please see the construction notice in English and Urdu.

View the Thorncliffe Park Drive Roadway Design, which was completed in July 2021.


City Council Approved Changes

In 2021, Toronto City Council approved changes to Thorncliffe Park Drive to increase curbside parking and improve safety for people cycling. The changes that were approved include:

  • Reinstating 30 curbside parking spaces on the south and west legs of Thorncliffe Park Drive.
  • Adding physical protection for people cycling with concrete curbs and bollards within the existing buffer.
  • Maintaining 12 of the 14 previous bus stops on Thorncliffe Park Drive. Bus stops  8354 near 65 Thorncliffe Park Drive, and 8355 near 52 Thorncliffe Park Drive were removed to reduce close spacing of stops and enhance bus reliability. No address on Thorncliffe Park Drive is more than 150m from a stop.
  • Adding a curbside passenger loading area in front of 35 Thorncliffe Park Drive.
  • Reducing the length of the centre-left-turn lane to approximately half the previous length to accommodate additional parking.

After installation of the Thorncliffe Park Drive bike lanes in 2018, a significant amount of community feedback indicated that on-street parking was vital to the community. Concerns were raised that the private off-street parking lots may not have sufficient lighting, may not offer sufficient visitor or overnight parking, and may charge higher prices. Feedback indicated that many in the community utilized the on-street parking and felt that the removal was not aligned with the initial design proposed as part of the project’s public consultation process, and did not reflect community needs. Transportation Services also heard concerns that the bike lanes do not provide physical separation between the people cycling and the 6,000-8,000 daily cars and buses on Thorncliffe Park Drive.

Based on the feedback from the community and local Councillor, Transportation Services adjusted the bike lanes on Thorncliffe Park Drive to accommodate the most possible parking spaces without compromising safety. More parking spaces were reviewed but were not feasible due to the number of roadway curves, bus stops, driveways and pedestrian crossovers. These combined account for approximately three-quarters of the street’s length.

These changes were installed in Summer 2021.


Multi-use Trail on Don Mills Road

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), on behalf of the City of Toronto, constructed a three metre wide asphalt multi-use trail on the east side of Don Mills Road from 701 Don Mills Road to the Lower Don Trail.

The trail features a new public art installation and rest areas with benches. The trail provides a significant new bikeway connection to the Lower Don Trail for Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park residents.

Thorncliffe Park Drive

Pavement markings and signage were installed for the bike lanes in 2018. For safety reasons, signs are posted that restrict parking and stopping in the bike lane. The number of on-street parking spaces was reduced. Ten (10) on-street parking spaces are currently available close to the Thorncliffe Library and Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre.

The City is planning to work with property managers on Thorncliffe Park Drive to better understand the availability of off-street parking for visitors and determine if changes are needed.

For more information on parking changes on Thorncliffe Park Drive, please click on the common questions tab.

Flemingdon Park (Gateway Boulevard, Deauville Lane, Grenoble Drive)

Pavement markings and signage have been installed for the dedicated bike lanes. Signs are posted that restrict parking and stopping in the bike lane for safety reasons.

Vehicle Parking

1. Why did the amount of on street parking change on Thorncliffe Park Drive?

In fall 2017, the City extensively consulted the public and stakeholders. At that time, the design for bike lanes on Thorncliffe Park Drive included parking on one side of the street. This would have reduced the 192 available on-street parking spaces to approximately half.

The average demand for on-street parking was observed as 37 vehicles parked, based on City Staff surveys of parking use at various times of day and of the week. The original design was meant to accommodate the bike lane on Thorncliffe Park Drive by reducing lane widths, and by removing parking from one side of the street.

Following public consultation, City Staff undertook further design review with TTC and Traffic Operations. Through this process, removing additional on-street parking was needed to allow for busses to be able to safely pull in and out of transit stops, and for vehicles to be able to safely turn in and out of driveways. The approximately 90 on-street parking spaces originally presented to the public was reduced to approximately 10 spaces to accommodate these concerns. City Staff brought forward the new designs to the Ward Councillor for review, before seeking City Council approval.

The final designs for bike lanes, including the reduction to parking on Thorncliffe Park Drive, was approved by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and City Council on April 24, 2018.

Since implementation, the City has heard concerns that having less on-street parking has made it difficult for people to visit some of Thorncliffe Park Drive’s residential buildings, and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Based on these concerns, the City reviewed visitor parking demand and examined possible options. In the fall of 2018, the City worked with property managers to review off-street lots. This helped determine if adequate visitor parking space existed, and if more could be created, and inform any future design options for Thorncliffe Park Drive.

It is important to note that on-street parking overnight, or for more than three (3) hours at any time of day, was not permitted on Thorncliffe Park Drive prior to the installation of the bike lanes.

Due to the limited off-street parking near the Thorncliffe Library and Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre at 48 Thorncliffe Park Drive, ten (10) parking spaces were preserved.

2. How do the bike lanes in Flemingdon Park impact on-street parking?

In Flemingdon Park, the new bike lanes do not have a significant impact on availability of on-street parking on Gateway Boulevard, Grenoble Drive or Deauville Lane.

On Gateway Boulevard, around half of the previous 52 on-street parking spaces remained after installation. Parking spaces were preserved to meet the demand, which was observed at less than half of supply on average.

On Grenoble Drive, around 30 of the previous 36 on-street parking spaces were removed for safety reasons. Six (6) on-street parking spaces were kept to serve the area with highest observed on-street parking demand near Vendome Place. There is additional on-street parking capacity on Vendome Place, and nearby buildings also have dedicated off-street parking available. For summer events in the park, where parking is in high demand, event visitors are invited to use the available parking on nearby streets, including the on-street spaces on Gateway Boulevard, across from the park.

On Deauville Lane, around 26 on-street parking spaces were removed. Previous parking was restricted to three hours, only on weekends, and overnight on weekdays. Observed demand was very low. On-street parking is available on St. Dennis Drive, and fronting buildings have dedicated off-street parking.

3. When can changes be made to the bike lanes on Thorncliffe Park Drive? What are City Staff doing to address parking concerns?

The bike lanes that were installed, including the changes to parking, were approved by City Council on April 24, 2018. City staff discussed the bike lane designs and options with the elected Ward Councillor.

In the fall of 2018, the City reviewed off-street lots to determine if adequate visitor parking space exists or could be created to meet the demand. The City worked with property managers to determine if changes could be made to parking off street, which informed any future design options for Thorncliffe Park Drive.

4. How are on-street parking needs determined?

City staff conduct multiple counts to asses on-street parking demand during the day, evening and night, during the week and on weekends. This is done on a block-by-block basis. Along Thorncliffe Park Drive, studies demonstrated an average demand for 37 on-street parking spaces. Available off-street parking is also considered.

Along Thorncliffe Park Drive, more than 2,200 private parking spaces are available above ground at residential and community buildings. Additional spaces at the mall and other nearby properties add more than 1200 spaces. These counts exclude the more than 20 below-ground parking facilities at residential buildings. It is expected that property managers provide adequate parking on their property for both residents and visitors.

Design

1. How do the bike facilities connect to the surrounding network and trails?

Bike facilities were installed in Flemingdon Park on Gateway Boulevard Grenoble Drive, and Deauville Lane. These connect people cycling to existing bike lanes on St. Dennis Drive, and provide future connections to Eglinton Avenue on Ferrand Drive and/or Rocherfort Drive.

Bike facilities were installed in Thorncliffe Park on Thorncliffe Park Drive. These connect to the multi-use trails in Leaside Park, which connects people cycling to Millwood Road and Pape Avenue. People can also cycle along Thorncliffe Park Drive to connect to the Don Valley Trail System through ET Seaton Park.

Access to the Don Valley trails will also be improved with a paved route from the east side of Don Mills Road, south of Gateway Boulevard. Please see the Renewing Overlea Boulevard project for proposed bikeways on Overlea Boulevard between Don Mills Road and Thorncliffe Park Drive.

2. How were bike facilities designed?

Bike facilities were designed to support safe and accessible use. The Project Team consulted with City staff and agencies including TTC, Emergency Services, Urban Design and traffic engineering. The design of the bike facilities was informed through consultation and feedback received from local stakeholders and community groups, residents, and businesses, data analysis, and review of technical information.

3. How do the bike facilities impact vehicle traffic?

The bike facilities do not have a significant impact on vehicle traffic or travel times.

4. How do the bike facilities impact building access?

The bike facilities were designed to maintain safe building access for vehicles and pedestrians.

5. Was additional bike parking installed?

The bike facilities included installation of bike racks and bike parking locations.

6. Will physical protection, like bollards, be added to the bicycle lanes?

The Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park bicycle lanes have been authorized by City Council as dedicated space for people cycling. Driving, parking and stopping of motorized vehicles is prohibited in these lanes. In July 2021, physical separation was added in the buffer of the bike lanes on Thorncliffe Park Drive between people driving and cycling.

On Gateway Boulevard (between 73 and 85 Gateway Boulevard) there is a parking-protected cycling track where:

  • the cycle track is next to the curb
  • vehicles park beside a painted buffer that separates them from the cycle track

No bollards are planned for installation on Gateway Boulevard because:

  • Observed parking is not infringing on the dedicated cycle track
  • Regularly parked school buses could cause repeated damage to the bollards

General

1. What is the City’s Cycling Network Plan?

The Cycling Network Plan, adopted by City Council, seeks to build on the existing network of cycling routes to Connect gaps in the current network, Grow the network into new parts of the city, and Renew existing parts of the network to improve safety – with corresponding objectives and indicators for measuring and evaluating success.

The Cycling Network Plan consists of three components: a Long-Term Cycling Network Vision, the Major City-Wide Cycling Routes, and a three year rolling Near-Term Implementation Program. The plan components, objectives and indicators are aligned with a multitude of City policies including the Official Plan, TransformTO and the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.

2. Where can I access information and resources on cycling in Toronto?

View information about cycling in Toronto including programs to start cycling and safety information.

3. How much did this project cost? How was it funded?

The project cost approximately $5 million. Half of this was City capital funding and the other was contributed by the Federal Government.

4. How do bike lanes affect waste pick-up and emergency services?

Proposed bike lane designs will accommodate waste pick-up, emergency services and other municipal services.

5. How do bike lanes affect TTC bus stops?

City staff develop the bike lane design in consultation with TTC staff. City staff work with the TTC to accommodate curb-side bus stops.

6. How do the bikes lanes accommodate accessibility?

WheelTrans vehicles and accessible taxis are allowed to load passengers in the bike lane. Typically, on-street accessible parking spaces are limited. They are only provided for individuals with accessible parking permits, and only on streets where off-street parking spaces are limited.

7. How do bike lanes impact safety?

Bike lanes provide safe options for people who want to bike to school or work, for shopping, recreation and other trips.

An important purpose of adding bike lanes is to improve safety for people of all ages and abilities, including people who walk, take transit, ride a bike, or drive a car. Studies in Toronto and elsewhere have shown that adding bike lanes improves safety for all road users. By adding bike lanes and reducing traffic lane widths, motorists tend to slow down. Slower speeds reduce the number of collisions, and their severity if they do occur.

8. Are bike lanes cleared of snow?

Yes.  Any approved bike lane design includes a maintenance program for snow removal and street cleaning, similar to other popular bike lanes.

Bike routes in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park are part of  The 10 Year Cycling Network Plan’s 2016 Implementation Program to expand and improve Toronto’s streets for cycling. These new bike lanes will provide important connections to the larger cycling network and neighbourhoods.

Public consultation on the design of the bike lanes in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park was conducted between August and October 2017, and followed a variety of creative tactics to increase outreach and engagement. Click on the links below to view the full report.

The City of Toronto and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority worked together to revitalize the 300-metre access trail to the Lower Don Trail. Located on the east side of Don Mills Road, the trail runs south from the driveway of 701 Don Mills Road to the Lower Don Trail. The access trail included new paving, a reduced slope, new trees and new public art.

The revitalization project was grounded on several years of community consultation which all highlighted the importance of improved access to the nearby green spaces and placemaking. The project’s goal was to improve connections for Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park residents to the Lower Don Trail.

“Mechanisms for Suspending Coloured Shapes” by Micah Lexier was installed in 2020, and featured coloured shapes on nine metal sculptures, positioned along the trail.

 

 

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Under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) – Phase 1, the Government of Canada is investing up to $2.5 million for this project. The City of Toronto is matching this funding contribution.