Item - 2020.IE12.8

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the installation of bicycle lanes on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 2 - Designated Bicycle Lanes, to the report (February 26, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Douro Street (from Shaw Street to King Street West);
b. Roxton Road (from Dewson Street north to Harbord Street); and
c. Wellington Street (from Niagara Avenue to Strachan Avenue).

2. City Council authorize the installation of Cycle Tracks on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 3 - Designated Cycle Tracks, to the report (February 26, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. College Street (from Bellevue Avenue to Borden Street);
b. Douro Street (from Strachan Avenue to Shaw Street);
c. Lower River Street (from Trolley Crescent South to River Street);
d. Murray Ross Parkway (from Keele Street to Columbia Gate); and
e. Shuter Street (from River Street to Bond Street ).

3. City Council authorize the installation or adjustments of bicycle lanes on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 4 – Contra-flow Bicycle Lanes, to the report (February 26, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Borden Street (from just north of College Street to Ulster Street);
b. Brunswick Avenue (from just north of College Street to Lowther Street);
c. Dewson Street (from Roxton Road to Shaw Street);
d. Ulster Street (from Borden Street to Brunswick Avenue);
e. Roxton Road (from Dewson Street south to Dewson Street north);
f. Shaw Street (from Harbord Street to Dupont Street); and
g. Sumach Street (from Queen Street to Shuter Street).

4. City Council authorize the amendments to traffic and parking regulations associated with Recommendations 1, 2 and 3 above, as described in Attachment 5 - Amendments to Traffic and Parking Regulations, to the report (February 26, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

5. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to consider prioritizing street sweeping for local roads with contra-flow bicycle lanes as part of the review of street sweeping level of service currently being conducted by Transportation Services, to ensure that street sweeping for local roads with contra-flow bicycle lanes will be provided at an appropriate frequency of sweeping on both sides of the street.

6. City Council direct the appropriate city staff to monitor complaints regarding parking enforcement, accessible pick-up/drop-off, or safety relating to the contra-flow bicycle lanes along Borden Street, Ulster Street, Shaw Street, Roxton Avenue and Brunswick Avenue and report back to Toronto and East York Community Council with recommendations to address concerns, if warranted.

7. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to explore the installation of sidewalk bollards on the south side of Ulster Street adjacent the park, while maintaining appropriate sidewalk width to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements in an effort to avoid cars from mounting curbs.

8. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to identify an appropriate area for deliveries and passenger pick-ups and drop-offs along Sumach Street between Shuter Street and Queen Street East or within the immediately adjacent streets and report any recommendations to the Toronto and East York Community Council.

9. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to explore the feasibility of implementing new technology including heated pavement to promote year-round cycling.

10. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to consider improved designs and additions to the public realm for the pre-cast concrete islands along Shuter Street including the installation of planters and soft landscaping.

The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near Term Implementation Plan (2019-2021), adopted by Council in July 2019 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.

This report is a first quarter update on the initial group of cycling infrastructure projects that are proposed to be installed in 2020 for which design and consultation have been completed.  Additional cycling infrastructure projects proposed for installation in 2020 will be included in upcoming reports.    

This report seeks Council authority to install 4.05 lane kilometres (km) of new cycling infrastructure on the following streets proposed in the Cycling Network near Term Implementation Plan (2019-2021):

- Borden Street (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 11)
- Brunswick Avenue (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 11)
- Dewson Street (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 11)
- Douro Street (bicycle lanes/cycle tracks, Ward 10)
- Murray Ross Parkway (cycle track, Ward 7)
- Roxton Street (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 11)
- Sumach Street (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 13)
- Ulster Street (contra-flow bike lane, Ward 11)
- Wellington Street (bicycle lanes/cycle tracks, Ward 10)
 

This report also seeks Council authority to make improvements to 5.35 lane km of existing cycling infrastructure on the following streets:

- Blue Jays Way (passenger loading zone along bicycle lane: Ward 10)
- College Street at Borden Street: (intersection improvement: Ward 11)
- Lower River Street (bicycle lane to cycle track: Ward 13)
- Shuter Street (bicycle lane to cycle track: Ward 13)
- Shaw Street (street mazing and traffic diversion: Ward 11)

A map of the projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1. The changes proposed would improve safety and mobility options by providing improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, event venues, businesses and residences.  Pedestrian improvements have also been included in the projects, wherever feasible, including curb extensions, shortened crossing distances, new sidewalk installations and travel lane adjustments.

While there are varying impacts to traffic operations for motor vehicles, these impacts have been reviewed, analyzed and have been determined by Transportation Services to have acceptable impacts in order to improve safety and comfort of all road users. Minimal impacts to TTC or emergency services is anticipated.

All of the new and upgraded bikeways included in this report are proposed to be installed in 2020.