In May 2016, Toronto City Council approved a year-long pilot project that would see bike lanes installed along a roughly two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of Bloor Street, between Avenue Road and Shaw Street. It was a contentious decision: bike lanes enjoy support from cycling and road safety advocates – and some bicycle accident lawyers – who say they improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Car-driving members of the public, on the other hand, believe they prolong commutes and, in some cases, make streets less safe.
The lanes were installed in August 2016 at a cost of approximately $500,000. A year later the project wrapped up, and in October city transportation staff published a report recommending that the lanes be made permanent.
The report ‘determined that the lanes have achieved the key objectives of improving safety on the corridor, dramatically increasing cycling rates, and minimizing negative effects on other roads users,’ the Toronto Star reported.
Several city council members immediately announced their support for the permanent bike lanes, including councillors Joe Cressy and Mike Layton, whose wards contain the affected section of Bloor, and Mayor John Tory.
“I will support the staff recommendation to keep the bike lanes, with continued improvement to be made to safety, street design and practical improvements for local businesses,” Mayor Tory said.
On November 7, council made good on its words, voting 36 to 6 to make the lanes permanent. Three councillors abstained.
Safety Improvements
Road safety is at the heart of the decision to keep the bike lanes. The city report found that conflicts between motorists fell by 71 per cent during the pilot, while conflicts between cyclists and motorists fell 61 per cent and conflicts between pedestrians and motorists fell 55 per cent. Each of these numbers is sure to bolster support among bicycle accident lawyers.
The news wasn’t all good: incidents between cyclists and pedestrians increased by 61 per cent, and the total number of collisions involving cyclists did not fall, though usage surged. Importantly, all road users, including drivers, said they felt more comfortable on Bloor Street following the installation of the lanes.
The case for bike lanes
Bike lanes are an important element of most road safety improvement plans. They encourage cyclists to ride in greater numbers, which raises motorists’ awareness and generally leads to sizeable decreases in collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities, particularly when the infrastructure includes a physical barrier. While they can have minor negative impacts on commute times, local businesses, and municipal revenues, their efficacy in reducing injuries can’t be underestimated.
“Making cycling in the city easier and safer has a host of benefits,” wrote the Toronto Star’s editorial board. “It’s healthy, good for the environment, and eases congestion on the roads and public transit. The Bloor project shows it can work even in some of the busiest parts of the city, if it’s done right.”
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a cycling accident, contact the bicycle accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers to find out how we can help. Our team has extensive experience in all manner of personal injury cases, and can help you access compensation for your injuries.