Toronto City Council reveals 2022 Cycling Network Plan

It has been announced that new bike pathways are coming our way. This week, Toronto City Council approved the 2022 Cycling Network Plan with Second Quarter Project updates, stating that new bikeways will be added in several parts of the city and improvements to three existing bikeways.

These recent changes put forth will help further enhance safety and mobility by delivering improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, residences, and businesses. Which will make it easy for all commuters to get around.

The approved plan that is being discussed by the city is part of three particular projects:

• Gerrard Street Complete Street
• Martin Grove Road Cycling Connections
• Renewing Overlea Boulevard

And with these approved plans also comes new bikeways under these projects that are ultimately planned to be installed on the following roads between 2022 and 2024:

• Don Mills Road, north of Gateway Boulevard (south intersection) to Don Mills Road trail
• Overlea Boulevard from Thorncliffe Park Drive (east intersection) to Don Mills Road
• Thorncliffe Park Drive from 100 metres north and 125 metres south of Overlea Boulevard (east intersection)
• Martin Grove Road from Eglinton Avenue West to Winterton Drive and from 100 metres north of Burhamthorpe Road to just south of Burhamthorpe Road

Lastly, there will be improvements to existing bikeways which are planned on the following roads during this same period:

• Gerrard Street East from Sherbourne Street to Parliament Street
• Gateway Boulevard (south intersection) from Don Mills Road to 100 metres east of Don Mills Road
• The intersection of Shuter Street and River Street

Improved safety

Mayor John Tory says that the city is looking to expand Toronto’s cycling network to improve safety, encourage active transportation and build a healthy, vibrant and sustainable city.

“Our complete streets approach to these cycling projects will accommodate all road users and create more livable neighbourhoods and public spaces.”

Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, echoes that and looks forward to making cycling safer within the city.

“We are committed to creating a safe and accessible cycling infrastructure that expands mobility options and connects communities to more destinations around them.”

Approximately implementing the bikeways will cost the city $14.4 million.

With Toronto being home to already more than 2.9 million people, applying more bikeways will make for more accessible transportation and fewer accidents.

Statistics Canada says around approximately 7500 cyclists have been seriously injured every year and that most of these occur during rush hour.

The City of Toronto has strived to fulfill their Vision Zero Safety Plan, which focuses on reducing traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries on Toronto’s streets, with an emphasis on cyclists’ safety.

In 2021, approximately 58 people were killed on Toronto’s streets, and 183 more were seriously injured.

From 2019 to 2021, as well as ActiveTO routes, 65 kilometres of brand-new bikeways have been set up, and 47 kilometres of upgrades and improvements to existing cycling routes.