Report: Toronto Not So Bike Friendly

I'm less concerned about new bike lanes but enforcement on current ones. Toronto isn't bike friendly in my opinion due to the drivers who continually decide to violate my safety.

If there were more Cops on Bicycles I wonder if there would be more willingness by the PD to enforce those laws.

I don't understand why cyclists ride through red lights and stop signs. I almost hit a cyclist going through a stop sign who was going at least 30 km. I honked but the cyclist must have been hearing impaired.

I pay insurance and have have a valid driver's licence to have the privilege to drive my car on the road. Should I drive through a red light or go through a red light, I get charged. Cyclists think they own the road but they in the most part do not obey the law of the road.

Furthermore...

I don't appreciate cyclists (and there are many of them) that insists their bikes are for the sidewalks too! Cars don't drive on sidewalks, neither should cyclists. I still have a scar on my left arm from a cyclists riding at dfull speed on the sidewalk clipped me from behind. I screamed but she didn't hear me. She was hearing impaired too. Helmets may be on too tight and stops them from reasoning properly.

Toronto isn't car friendly in my opinion due to the cyclists who continually decide to violate my safety.

Cyclists wouldn't have to resort to the sidewalk if there were bike lanes for them to use and if there weren't so many people like yourself with the idea that because you have a car, you're somehow better then they are.

There are plenty of cyclists out there that follow the rules, if not the vast majority. Why are they also subject to your lack of respect?

@Sean - not that I condone cyclists breaking laws (nor do I condone motorists doing the same) but how can you believe that Toronto is not car friendly?
This is a city that puts parking for a few cars ahead of cyclist safety. (See the danforth, or bloor street at 6pm) Traffic signals that barely give pedestrians a chance to get across the street (have you tried crossing University?) Conversely, how many motorists have been injured or killed in a bicycle-automobile "accident" (quotations used as there are NO such things, the correct terms should be 'incidences of vehicular negligence')

As a car nut who depends on a bicyle for day-to-day transport, I think I can see both perspectives.

Cyclists: Be responsible or you'll never be taken seriously. And get those stupid iPods out of your ears.

Motorists: Chill out, slow down and get used to bikes.

@Patrick
Your point is spot-on, but how do you successfully convey that message?

In my experience, road signs, striping and coloured pavement are not enough to cue drivers to pay attention to cyclists.

My fear is we are in a catch 22. More people won't cycle because it's not safe and drivers won't pay more attention to bikes because there aren't so very many on the road.

These numbers can be very misleading. I'm not sure how the other cities stack up, but it's worth noting that there is only 76km of "bike lane" (i.e. on-road, dedicated bike lane) in Toronto. The figure cited in this report includes 118km of so-called shared roadways (lane-less roads with "bike route" signs, which the city deems to be most suitable for riding -- often side-streets) and 20km of park roads. Also worth noting that in 2001 we had 35km of dedicated "bike lane," the same year the Toronto Bike Plan called for a total of 500km of dedicated lane by 2011 (since extended to 2012). In the seven years since, we've added a grand total of 41km toward that goal.

@Patrick
Thank you for expressing both sides. It really comes down to a lack of common consideration, as well as a sense of entitlement on both sides. Cars and cyclists need to obey the laws on the books and pay more attention (especially drivers on their cell phones).

I'm not saying cyclists are innocent of reckless behavior and I have been clipped by cyclists riding on the sidewalk and I've been hit by cars while cycling on the road and obeying traffic laws. Both injuries really sucked.

The last NOW magazine had a letter by Jacob Allderdice that deals with some of the concerns mentioned here:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/letters/index.cfm?content=162783

As a cyclist, other cyclists who insist on listening to their iPods drive me crazy because they're oblivious to everything around them. I can't tell you how many times I've surprised someone wearing an iPod when I've passed or tried to pass them.

As far as bicyclists who ride through red lights, how can you expect to get any respect from drivers (if that's at all possibly) if you blatantly break the rules. I don't have as much a problem with stop signs if there's no traffic.

I have to admit - as someone who drives, rides, and walks everyday in TO in varying amounts - i witness far more recklessness on the parts of cyclists as a proportion of their numbers.
i think it would be really great if bicycles got **free** plates and RFID tags (embedded - not stealable (easily anyway)) so they can be identified and charged and fined when they choose to cycle in a way that conflicts with road safety and rules.
And why would someone go to the trouble of getting such things done to their bikes? - first of all - all new bikes should be outfitted and sold with them and second because there should be some special perk for those who are proud enough of their cycling ability and social conscience and duty to ride safely -- by getting special bike parking lots/access throughout the city - locked and sheltered and supervised -- best at night and in inclement conditions. This of course could be a five-year ramp up plan to mandatory cycle licensing.

I think it is only the winter cyclists that *freak me out*. I have witnessed dozens of them just sort of fall over and slide into the traffic lane - just out of the blue - hit a patch or covered road problem. I am thinking there probably should be no 'main street' winter cycling as a rule if there is *any* accumulated snowfall on that day - its just too dangerous with very few cyclists skilled enough to make winter cycling a safe activity in already difficult conditions.

I cycle daily. I also ride a motorcycle often. I have driven a car in the past.
I feel qualified to speak about what I will say next.
Motorists are the problem. Yes, some cyclists do nutty, znay things and take major risks but the majority don't seem to.
Meanwhile, it seems the majority of motorists weave, brake and speed with abandon. Why have the people above whining about cyclists going through reed lights not mentioned the MANY drivers who do that? Or the cars who park or stand in the bike lane, the one piece of real estate on the road that solely belongs to cyclists? Or how about the jerks who fling their doors open in traffic when they park and exit their vehicle or worse leave it open while the dick around? What about the jackasses who switch lanes without shoulder checks or even looking in their mirrors? Nobody says that drivers should turn down their stereos or get off their bloody cell phones whiole driving but cyclists with iPods we should hate?
I wear my mp3 player when I cycle but it is turned down so I can hear road noise. I have never clipped or sideswiped a car but I have had those things happen to me by cars while on a bike.
And as to the suggestion if there were more cops on bikes that there might be more enforcement - don't count on it. I have seen, been in and heard from friends of incidents where the bike cops did nothing to enforce bike lanes, reckless drivers endangering cyclists or generally giving a shit beyond being dicks.
I sometimes feel as though I shouldn't be held to the rules of the road is motorists aren't. Bikes should have licence plates, I agree, but then if they are going to be held accountable then our justice systme should be equally tough on motorists but they aren't.
I got hit by a car while WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK. Want to talk about a sucky injury? More than just a little scar on my arm. I was out of commission for 8 months after having to have surgery. Why did I get hit on the sidewalk? Because some fool in a car wanted to exit a gas station and save 3 seconds on his way to work so he ploughed through a pedestrian obeying the law and miinding his own business.
The result for the driver? A minor delay and a suspended fine. Thanks and have a good drive home. Me? I still suffer the pain of a dislocated and repaired shoulder, a torn bicep and ruined neck 4 years after.
Don't bitch to me about cyclists.

I most certainly DO NOT aim for cyclists, but I am always terrified that I am going to hit someone suddenly deciding to do something random. Too many cyclists are unpredictable.

I've cycled in Toronto all my life, and in my observation, car drivers obey the rules of the road overwhelmingly more than cyclists. It's rare to see a cyclist actually respecting the boundries of cycle lanes, traffic signals and signs.

I would love to see more bike lanes, but what's the point when cyclists weave in and out of them despite having ample room, or riding 2 or 3 abreast into the car lane just to have a chat?

Someone commented that car drivers think they are better than cyclists, that will never change until those on bikes start acting responsibly.

Some of the main problems cyclists and drivers seem to have usually tend to happen when they insist on sharing the same lanes. Of course the driver is going to have to worry about the cyclist coming to close and of course the cyclist is going to have to worry about parked cars opening their doors.

Cyclists. Don't let cars share the lane with you (assuming you don't have a bike lane). As far as I know, you're allowed.

Drivers. Don't get pissed off if a cyclist is using up the entire lane. Downtown traffic ain't that fast. Chances are they're going just as fast as the rest of you. Don't try to force the cyclist to share the lane or unsafely pass the cyclist.

What is it about bicycles which cause drivers to suddenly forget the rules of the road? When dealing with other cars they can follow them just fine, but for some reason things like turn signals and safe passing become a thing of the past.

One piece of advice to motorists - when you're stuck in traffic and there's a line of parked cars next to you, please keep to the left as much as possible to allow cyclists to get through. After all, I wouldn't want to accidentally scratch the paint on your door as I'm trying to squeeze by.

And when your driving around with your pals on a Friday night, try not to yell "Get off the fuckin road" at me as you speed by. That's just rude.

At least the place is flat. And fairly condensed. Try riding from Downtown Vancouver to Mount Pleasant. That hill will destroy you. Yo Fixie!

@Sean Don't be cute. When a car cuts in front of me to make a last-minute lane switch or to cut in front of the preceding car, I'm diving for the pavement or being slammed into a parked car to prevent DEATH.

Many of the shitty cyclists I see adopt bad driving habits inspired by the assholes who endanger us every day. I totally understand in a way, if you can't beat em, join em.

Also, get the fuck out of my bike lane.

As a pedestrian my life is threatened daily by both motorists AND cyclists. But mostly cyclists. I can't count the number of times I've been almost creamed by a cyclist going too fast, not following the rules of the road, and by just being generally inconsiderate and disrespectful.

And then there are the idiots who insist on riding on sidewalks. It may be safer for them, but it sure isn't safer for pedestrians who have the right to be there.

No one deserves a free pass. Cyclists can be as bad as motorists. It will only get better once everyone learns to be more respectful and safety-minded.

I admit, on residential side-streets, I run stop signs. I always slow down, and look both ways (twice) ... but I run them.

This morning, some fat fuck in a mini-van intentionally swerved toward me as I was going through a stop sign. So, I smacked the back window (where his kids were) and asked him what his problem was. He leans out the window and tells me that "i'm a car" and I have to obey the same rules he does. Well, he's right - but ultimately - what impact does it have on his day if I only yield rather than stop? I think these fat pigs in their big cars have bike envy. They can't cycle themselves so they take out their anger and self-shame on those of us who can.

A message for car drivers - if you are going to challenge me out there and yell at me out the window of your big-safe-car .... at least have the balls to get out and talk to me face to face when I invite you to. Then, we'll see how much you have to say to me.

Fucking wastes of skin.

I am a cyclist, riding Queen Street (no bike lane) daily to and from work, and am amazed by the general ignorance my fellow cyclists display. I've personally never seen a car run a red light in the city, even by accident, (I'm not saying it doesn't happen) but I do see cyclists do it purposely every day. Running lights, swerving between stopped cars, listing to iPods(!) and riding at speeds which put them at huge risk. In the end you, and you alone, are responsible for your own safety. Ride in control, follow the rules of the road, god forbid, slow down a little. Your super-important life will still be there if you arrive a minute later. I ride as if I were in a car, so drivers know what to expect. I get honked at once in a while, but in general, I think drivers like knowing what I'm doing. I know that when I do drive, I like predictability from both cars and bikes.