Toronto City Council has voted 38 to 3 in favour of the pilot project that would see bicycle lanes along a section of Bloor n St. W. from Shaw Street to Avenue Road. The decision will see the removal, at least for the length of the pilot and maybe permanently, of 135 parking spaces and $840,000 in parking revenue. The much-hyped debate and vote on Wednesday suggested that the outcome of the vote would be much closer than it was. The issue of bike lanes has something for everyone. Advocates say it will make the City greener, help business and speed cyclists safely on their way.
SCEPTICS
Sceptics and those simply against more bicycles on the road say such lanes are an attempt to forcibly limit the use of automobiles, a waste of roadway and an attack on small businesses on the street. The pilot may start as early as August and is set to last for one year. One complaint was that there were no criteria for deciding whether the pilot has been a success. Among the many voting in favor was Ward 25 Councillor Jaye Robinson who previously had opposed it but had been converted by staff information. Indeed, many supporting the scheme are not in the cycle lobby but like Mayor Tory say the pilot is “the right thing to do.” It could mean anything.
