Some Mimico residents are against a cycle track being installed on Superior Avenue from Stanley Avenue to Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Outraged Mimico residents say there were no consultations as traffic calming measures is being sought instead of a cycle track to slow down traffic on Superior Avenue.
The measure is part of an upcoming Mimico Mobility Plan meant to slow down and lessen traffic using the area, which includes residential streets north of Lake Shore Blvd., to Cavell Avenue.
Andrew Vanderwal, a concerned resident who started a petition, said members of the community had been requesting traffic calming measures since 2015, when a petition was organized.
“Instead of getting traffic calming measures on Superior Avenue we are getting a cycle track that is necessary to protect cyclists only because no traffic calming measures have been implemented,” Vanderwal said.
The cycle track is part of the Mimico Mobility plan to reduce speeding and traffic on residential roadways.
He said the cycle track will affect Superior Avenue from Stanley Avenue south to Lake Shore Blvd. W. It is slated to take affect by April.
Vandewal said the track was pre-approved by Toronto City Council last June 15 without any consultation with affected residents.
He said the primary concern of Superior avenue residents is road safety for all road users, cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike and a lack of traffic calming measures will allow aggressive drivers to continue to speed and pass vehicles as before.
“Instead of curtailing such behaviour with calming measures such as speed cushions,” Vanderwal wrote. “We are getting fortified segregated bike lanes designed to protect cyclists from aggressive drivers who are given free reign to continue to drive aggressively on Superior Avenue.”
The Mimico Mobility Plan includes the narrowing of residential roads through the use of cycle tracks, planters and more one-way streets.
“This is totally the wrong solution for this street,” he said. “Arriving at this flawed solution could have been avoided where affected residents consulted.”
“The status quo for aggressive drivers and leaves all road users less safe,” Vanderwal said.
Cycle tracks are distinguished from cycle/bike lanes in that they are physically separated from vehicular traffic.
The tracks are typically considered only for arterial roads where there is a greater volume of vehicular traffic that has greater posted speed limits than residential streets.
Cyclists report that they feel unsafe on such cycle tracks where vehicles can back out of driveways due to the confined space of cycle movement within such a track, he said.
The bollards, markers and curbs included with the cycle tracks greatly diminish street appeal and will over time become damaged and discoloured further disfiguring the neighbourhood, residents said.
Intersections will be made more visible and wider so traffic can slow down.
“The cycle track will greatly complicate garbage pickup and snow removal,” Anderwal sad. “Installation of the proposed cycle track on both sides of Superior Avenue eliminates on-street parking that is necessary for residents.”
Councillor Amber Morley has promised to meet with residents and look into the matter.
Some 650 community residents recently attended a meeting on the Bloor Street bike lane. Many voiced their displeasure with the track, claiming it is unsafe and has led to a loss of revenue to area businesses since patrons have to travel further to park.