Item - 2017.PW19.4

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Received the report (February 13, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services for information.

The City of Toronto adopted a 10-year cycling plan in 2016 that proposed a citywide expansion of the cycling network by 525 centerline lane-kilometres and established three clear objectives:

-   Connect the gaps in our existing Cycling Network;
-   Grow the Cycling Network into new parts of the City; and
-   Renew the existing Cycling Network routes, where there are opportunities to improve their quality.
 

Consistent with these goals and with national and international best practices, Toronto has added 23 lane kilometres of designated cycle tracks that comprise approximately 10 percent of the current cycling network. Cycle tracks are physically separated from the adjacent travel lanes and provide a more protected cycling facility that encourages riding by people of all ages and abilities. 

Integrating the cycle track network into the existing street system not only requires physical retrofits of the street, but also updates to the bylaws and standards that direct access and management, including temporary conditions.  These guidelines are intended to reduce unnecessary bicycle lane/cycle track closures, and ensure that conditions are maintained in a manner as safe as possible for all road users during temporary closures related to construction or filming work.

This report also clarifies the responsibilities of applicants submitting temporary closure permit requests to Transportation Services or the Film and Television Office within Economic Development, and provides guidance for permittees to avoid unnecessary bicycle lane/cycle track closures while maintaining safe conditions around construction and filming sites. The report:

-   highlights the cycling-related guidance provided by the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 7-Temporary Conditions
-   clarifies how the provincial guidance may be applied in a the context of Toronto's urban street network, fast-paced development cycle and high demand placed on curbspace use, and includes advisory regulatory signs and temporary pavement markings; and
-   summarizes a review of seasonal cycle tracks as a temporary condition for cyclists.