City
Bike boxes arrive in Toronto
Toronto has finally got some bike boxes (well official ones, at least). Added to the City's official bike map in 2010, the intersection at St. George and Harbord is the first to receive the new infrastructure. I'm not sure exactly when they were painted, but they're certainly no more than a few days old. As I was riding by today, I decided to stop and observe how cyclists and drivers were taking to them.
For those unfamiliar with bike boxes, they basically enable cyclists to pull out in front of stopped traffic so as to make turns more safely. They're particularly effective when turning left, but by giving cyclists a head start (intersections with bike boxes also feature no-right-on-red signs), they also help to diminish the chance of a cyclist being swiped when turning right.
During the 20 or so minutes that I watched the intersection, I saw four cyclists use the boxes and about 15 cars ignore them altogether. Now, that's not really surprising considering that they're brand new and not many people have heard of them, much less seen them. What will be far more interesting is to see how well people catch on as they appear at more intersections.
One of the interesting observations I made today -- anecdotal as it is -- was that a significant number of cyclists opted to use the pedestrian crossings to facilitate turning through the intersection. I would imagine that this is partly because many of them were just leaving Robarts and the surrounding buildings and had yet to get fully started on their rides. But, that's not really an ideal situation. Not only do the bikes clog up pedestrian traffic, but it's actually safer to use the boxes if you've already mounted your bike.
Cyclists might be a bit nervous the first time they try out a left hand turn in traffic, but by getting oneself visible, the endeavour is far safer. Just make sure to avoid oncoming traffic. Obviously!
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No use pussy-footing them out so slowly - as if so afraid, not sure of our selves...spooked so easily...This is not new science folks.
The whiners just whine.
JUST DO IT HOGTOWN!
Tired of ridiculous nay sayer 'Rob Ford loving bone heads'. The Toronto Human Revolution starts 2011!
Why vote rob ford, if you hate the city then maybe. However hate and budget cuts won't make things better(an easy way to steal your vote in return for NOTHING though) - DUH. Seriously how many cars can we fit in this damn city?? Even if you build billion dollar tunnels. haha... time to look at alternative solutions people!!
If drivers in Toronto were better drivers and cyclists in Toronto were better cyclists then everything would be fine. But as it stands, most drivers took a test once or twice in their teens, likely somewhere in the 'burbs, and cyclists never took a road test of any kind. Recipe for disaster.
The lack of info for these bike boxes is more of the same.
Hovercrafts.
Just sayin'
Maybe Rob Ford should start working on that.
Some folks talk about not being fully informed on bike boxes.- good point. Some info has been shared and it's all about European initiatives. If we are truly "world", let's get the best ideas from all over the planet.
My point: I want positive change with input and considerate consultation. Onward we go!
TD;LR you're an idiot.
Yes it implies a cyclist turning right on red, did you have a point about that? If you as a driver aren't near the intersection, stay left and let cyclist traffic through.
Fixed that for you. As it turns out, this is also the reason why we need bike boxes.
Private industries piggy back off are collective taxation for roads, people from the 905 piggyback off our pockets too. we are quite sharing when it comes to roads.. people don't seem to take this in tho. Why hate on somebody because they choose to take a more economical and healthy way to work or leisure?
Bike users pay the same amount for the roads as car users, and transit users, and people who walk.. nobody is spared.
Then how about bie licensing and/or insurance.
Then you get the turning boxes.
We can't fit more car lanes into the city unless we tear up all the sidewalks, but we can fit more bicycles.
Your math sucks.
However, I love these bike boxes. The more the merrier. The faster they are brought into being, the sooner the backlash will come. The 80% who pay for this city are getting pretty peed off with every cause du jour, hair-brained socialist idea of the week.
btw, enjoy staring at his rob ford bumper sticker - lol.
Honestly, cyclists are getting HOSED because people who drive into the city aren't paying for the Toronto's roads. Secondly, people who don't drive cars and cycle everywhere are massively subsidizing anybody in a car. I support anything that helps cyclist get their tax dollars back from these socialist car driving parasites who are convinced they own the road.
Really insightful comments from a lot of you, having a good time reading this.
As a cyclist and a driver, here are a few things I'm thinking of:
Hey BS: Bicyclists DO have laws to be governed by, and cars cause traffic, especially at the low bike density we currently have. Should we lisence pedestrians too?
Lots of cyclists actually do have cars! And vice-versa. I even know a few.
Mark and everyone else: I don't care about your OPINION. The FACT is that cyclists are here, so deal with it. Bike lanes mean that cars and cyclists don't have to share the same space. Shouldn't you be pro-bike lane?
And finally, bicycles are a form of transportation and recreation, not a political party.
These bike boxes will probably make everyone's life easier. They will act as a turning and passing space, letting everyone get in what position they want in under 5 seconds after a green. Contrast that with eastbound College @ Bathurst where you have cabs, a streetcar stop, a bike lane, and a parking lot entrance. Everyone is in everyone else's way and so nobody moves.
Buddy, I'd love to see car driving banned for one month from the 416 area and watch as the entire city collapses, bank account first. The flight of jobs (already a trickle), would become a torrent. Who is going to pay for your socialist dreams when the rest of us say, f$#k it, and move somewhere where our lives aren't controlled by 30 year old wanna-be hippies who think they know everything.
I hate the fact that each of these silly 'debates' turns into a socialist knock'em down, drag'em out fight, but the facts are facts. No amount of spin is going to change it. People with real jobs and real lives need a car to get around. That is the world we live in. Just because you choose to be rained upon, wind swept and mowed down by trucks on your way to class or the welfare line is your CHOICE. The rest of us have lives, and the extra 30 minutes it would take me to take the TTC (each way) plus the inability to do errands during or after work (running to Metro in Liberty Village, for example), would greatly curtail into our spare time - which those of with lives cherish because we work very hard the rest of the time.
There is a reason Ford is going to win by a landslide and it is not because we think he is going to do a bang up job: we know the unions and the cabal on these pages are going to make his term impossible, but for ONCE someone is saying what the vast majority in this city actually mutter under their breaths.
In the afternoon, I watch the cyclists weave amongst traffic along Adelaide, often sitting well away from the curb at a red, then launching well before the light turns green, ensuring drivers in the curb lane have to squeeze around the cyclist mid-block before the next traffic light.
Ask any professional driver, from a cabbie to a delivery truck person: cyclists are a menace for the 6 months of the year they are on the road. Makes one long for the blustery, cold days ahead when the roads turn to some semblance of sanity.
Choosing to ride a bike does not necessarily indicate a person's "hippy"-ness. As Gadfly pointed out, there are many costs associated with owning and operating a car - not everyone can afford that. A bike is a healthy alternative. Please note, it's not only healthy for the cyclist but healthy for the environment too - a point I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned yet.
If more people rode bikes, there would be less traffic. I admit that driving beside a bike makes me a little uncomfortable, but so does driving beside a motorcycle (also note, I'm a very confident driver, I just worry about people on high speed roads without anything to protect them). But the point that people riding bikes makes traffic worse...I disagree. If I didn't work in Mississauga, then I wouldn't have a car. I don't know if I would ride a bike, but that would definitely be a consideration.
As previously mentioned, roads and TTC are both incredibly busy at rush hour. Riding a bicycle is a different option, again that will remove people from both of these places causing fewer crowds and traffic jams.
As for not being able to turn right on a red light...if it's rush hour, you probably won't be able to anyways, because there will be a steady stream of traffic and there will be no space to turn. If it's not rush hour, then you'll be moving more quickly through the streets anyways, is it really such a hinderance that you can't save 60-90 seconds? Look at Quebec (though I know I threaten a new train of insults by mentioning it), right turns aren't allowed on red lights at all there, and they manage. I'm aware that Quebec traffic is not one to idolize, I'm just pointing out that people make it work.
If cars would be respectful towards bikers, and bikers would be respectful towards cars, and everyone could put themselves in other people's shoes, this would be a much safer city.
Cars are able to make right hand turns on red lights. If you're on a bike and a car is in front of you with its indicator on, maybe blowing by the car isn't the best idea.
At the same time, the licensing laws for cars are atrocious in this province. Drivers need to be more responsible. Signal properly and maybe even learn how to parallel park their friggin car. Yes, I'm talking to you lululemon pant wearing mom driving an SUV.
I chose to buy a house downtown so that I could ride my bike to work instead of spending two or more hours of each day commuting to work. All of my friends who also own houses and have real jobs and real lives also ride their bikes to work. Why shouldn't the city make an effort to facilitate routes for cyclists? We pay taxes and there's quite a lot of us even though your scientific observations state otherwise. And I won't bother speaking up for those people who can't afford cars and rely on cycling to get to work because it'll probably fall on deaf ears.
Just wondering if this box has an accompanying bi-law? Otherwise, it will just be ignored.
Your inane arguments about taxes and road rules are nothing but white noise. It's not a fucking competition between modes of transportation. Cycling is an efficient, practical, low-cost, environmentally-friendly way to navigate this traffic-plagued city. Initiatives like the odd bike lane and bike box make our congested streets safer for everyone. They give cyclists their own space to steer clear of all you lunatics who refuse to share the road, and they give drivers their own space to concentrate on driving instead of constantly being on the lookout for rogue cyclists.
I am a gainfully employed adult who lives downtown. I consider myself fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I own a car AND a bicycle. No matter which one I decide to take out, I obey the rules of the road and navigate our city's streets in a defensive and responsible manner. It just so happens that riding my bike almost always gets me to my destination MUCH faster than driving or taking the TTC ever could. And, believe it or not, I like the exercise!
So, to all you insane neanderthals out there who refuse to accept cycling as a legitimate and practical form of transportation: Get a grip and stop talking out of your asses. You're an embarrassment to our city and its potential for progressive growth.
"the facts are that motorists pay far more into the system than they get out, from car insurance (which is inflated to offset insurance companies losses from accidents involving, or caused by cyclists, who carry NO insurance)"
- in 2008 Toronto, there were 1,100 accidents involving bicycles; 1,900 involving pedestrians, and 57,000 total collisions (you can get this info with a two minute search with google which takes you to the Toronto Popo website).
If your insurance company is making you pay inflated rates because of 2% of total accidents (which usually cause less material damage than car on car) then you gotta start shopping around. Also, I am not quire certain if you calculated the societal cost of these collisions to support your argument (e.g. police, ambulance costs; costs associated with time delays due to accidents, etc.). If you have, please let us in on this.
"I'd love to see car driving banned for one month from the 416 area and watch as the entire city collapses, bank account first"
- obviously you have a source for this as in no way is this some half-bakes subjective argument. The entire city collapsing, as in Toronto GDP going to near-zero in less than a month?
"Ask any professional driver, from a cabbie to a delivery truck person: cyclists are a menace..."
- now surely, there has to be one cabbie or delivery driver out there that doesn't think all cyclists are a menace. Maybe I'll just ask my neighbour who works for a delivery company and also owns a bike.
If Toronto ever wants to be a grown-up city, cylists and motorists are going to have to learn to co-exist peacefully. If there were no cyclists this city would be a nightmare of downtown traffic chaos and gridlock. Motorists should be grateful for cyclists.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who finds this never-ending cars vs bikes argument extremely counterproductive...
I focus on the issues that matter to me and I passed grade 3 reading comprehension, can type at about 60 wpm, so while it may take SOME people 45 minutes to read, digest and respond to blogsites, I am already back to work.
But - gee, thanks for your concern!
(Now, my lunch is nearly over. No time for the NP or other sites, so I'll grab them tonight.) Cheers!
BTW, in a way I am WORKING, since the building I manage is in the middle of this f$#king mess called downtown and parking issues are a big chunk of my job, as well as dealing with the half-assed decisions the city has made all around Liberty Village/Front St./Queen's Quay that affect my constituents.
My commute is halved by driving and places I go aren't always serviced by transit.
Not everyone can "just move" closer to work.
o.k.: Is this a joke? Gas is heavily taxed, not subsidized.
L: Quebec now allows rights on red:
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_turn_on_red#North_America";>wiki</a>: <i>"In the province of Quebec, turning right on a red was illegal until a pilot study carried out in 2003 showed that there were no significant adverse effects of the right turn on red maneuver. Subsequently the province of Quebec now allows universal right turn on red, except where it is prohibited by a sign"</i>
Frankly I don't like the no-right-on-red here because it supposed to be for safety reasons only (bad visibility, busy roads). One here or there isn't worth complaining however, so I'd only have a problem if this becomes more common. It may be only a minute or two but it's idling time and it adds up over cars and increased traffic it causes (your environment point).
In reality I don't think no-rights is necessary; a driver can wait behind a straight going car if you want to turn right, a driver can wait behind straight going cyclists. Courteous cyclists could even leave space for right turning drivers (I do when I can even as a motorist and cyclist).
A agree though the discourse is getting very childish, with many people speaking without knowing what they're talking about to petty insults like accusing people of having no jobs and associating Rob Ford with everything bad in the world.
"Sorry, buddy: you're starting to believe the cycle lobby's own press clippings. Cyclists, for the most part pay zip into the system. Do you think the majority of them live in Rosedale? I agree with you that the current way the tax system is designed is unfair and unworkable; however, the facts are that motorists pay far more into the system than they get out, from car insurance (which is inflated to offset insurance companies losses from accidents involving, or caused by cyclists, who carry NO insurance), to the average of $3k in HST on an average car purchase, to $134 in license fees, tp the $30-$50 PER TANK in combined taxes, to the hundreds of millions in parking fines and tickets the city and province gouge us for. Motorists pay these. Cyclists do not. "
Just what system do you speak of gadfly, cyclists all pay tax to the city of Toronto, cyclists are all local road users and lastly the money for city roads comes from the city of Toronto, not the province. Toronto pays for roads from property taxes! Cyclist all pay property taxes! Cyclists don't pay tickets? What on earth. Cyclists don't pay insurance - no need, rarely does a cyclist damage something/body that makes it worthwhile to carry heavy a insurance policy. Lastly, you don't know squat about how a cyclist spends his dollars... maybe he isn't dishing it out on gasoline(laugh) and having his pants pulled down by insurance co(laugh!!) or falling for the ultimate driving machine sales pitch(lol). Congrats on spending all dough on your car - i'm sure it was worth it - but really that doesn't mean a cyclist isn't generating revenue. That cyclist is probably buying something they really want with the money they saved, something to return their investment, like a nice house, appt. or a education(snicker).
So with some real facts, I checked mine, I am confident they speak for themselves!
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=186543e6-149d-46dc-85e8-316559a172e1&;k=83730
Yeah, all those rich bicycle companies, flush with bailout dollars, putting those ads on prime-time TV all the time...
Just saying.
THANK YOU BLOGTO for explaining the bike box...I'll be using that intersection next week so now I'll know how to properly manage it.
I have no sympathy for whinny drivers it's your choice to get gouged by the province and city not mine; it's the price of privacy and 'convenience' with driving is paying out the ass there's no mystery to this.
The simple fact is drivers get upset because they don't understand the politics and economics of transportation, and because they see cyclists getting new improvements to there systems with drivers still perceiving to get the short end of the stick.
and yes bravo to the post above the attack on cyclists is about as ludicrous as attacking pedestrians!
Why does nobody want to weigh in on the 905? you do understand why the City will never in my life time or yours build or expand another municipal highway simply for the reason it would only benefit people out of town.. just take that in for second and understand why you sit stalled in traffic everyday.. bikes have nothing to do with it. Transportation planners now 'building for cars' dosn't work you can be more effective doing things like this or investing in public transit.
Driving is subsidized from Windsor production lines all the way to your driveway the amount of money thrown at Car industrial complex is so vast, you cant simply just figure in MTO and City 'listed' budgets for Roads.. the unrelated costs that the province or city don't list to the respective departments add up as well.
more generally, I'd like to add that I too am a fully employed bicycle commuter. I ride the 10km to and from work five days a week, and work a minimum 8 hour day in between. It is faster and more reliable than the TTC, and, in rush hour traffic, at least as fast as driving. I rent my apartment, and so while I don't pay property taxes myself, my landlords use part of the money I give them each month to pay their property taxes, which, you know, are higher than those paid by owners of non-rental properties. My landlords, by the way, also ride their bikes to and from work every day.
@ OK - where did I complain about what I have to pay to use the roads? I gladly shell out MY FAIR SHARE. It's the bicycle lobby that demands equal share of the road, without any of the responsibilities.
Although I do agree the Province should not have downloaded the highway system to the municipalities (and BTW, I am sure Muskoka loves to pay for the highways that the GTA folks use!), it's not the 905ers that jam the Gardiner Saturday afternoons going outbound!
There is no perceptual issue here. Jarvis St. is empty of cyclists, while traffic is jammed north from Carlton to nearly Maitland every morning. As usual, the tail is wagging the dog. Even if cyclists were charged a toll for the roadspace given over to them in the past several years, their numbers would not make up for the losses to the city's coffers.
For example, not published anwhere in the city's estimate of the 'cost' of the Jarvis St bicycle lane is the revenue loss, in perpetuity, of the hundred or so parkings spaces that were erased.
Spin the numbers any way you want, unless we are talking about the occasional cyclists who whizz along the Martin Goodman Trail on Sundays, a person on a bicycle who chooses that as their main mode of transportation is neither supporting transit or the road system. Property taxes be damned. Read the city budget, for gawd's sake. Four times is plugged into teh TTC than for the road budget, yet 4 times the people drive to work than take the TTC.
That is what passes for math in 2010? And before any of you cry babies starts accusing me of advocating less money for the TTC, au contraire. I'd love to see the subways expanded, except we'd better find a non-unionized, cost effective way of doing it because the city cannot proceed with the billions that endeavors like Sheppard cost.
To put it in perspective...every time you see somebody on a bike, imagine that person sitting in a car, in front of your car.
So start supporting bicycling, because it just means more assfault for you.
Every time you see a bicyclist, imagine that biker in a same-sized car, sitting pretty in front of you.
So support bicycling, cuz it only means a smoother ride for you.
But to the topic at hand, having ridden my bicycle in this city for the last 27 years, I'm not really sure how useful these new bike boxes will be for experienced riders. Making left hand turns from the left lane is more a matter of confidence than anything else. Once you've done it a few times, it's no big deal. These boxes may however give inexperienced cyclists the confidence they need to make left turns without temporarily using pedestrian areas, and that's beneficial and will encourage more cyclists to use the road (and use it properly).
Finally, anything that reminds (automobile) drivers that bicyclists are an official part of traffic (even recognized as such in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act!) is a good thing, because it's obvious from the comments here that some drivers don't seem to understand that.
Hah! Cyclists are 10000x better than drivers.
I don't understand why those in cars think they have more of a priority to turn than let pedestrians cross the street.
Old scenario, sans bike box: It's morning rush on Harbord. Waiting at a red light, cyclists bunch up in the bike lane, going back a few car lengths. As the light changes, a car wants to take a right, but has to wait for 3-4 car-lengths worth of cyclists to go by, holding up the cars behind.
New scenario, avec bike box: During the red light, the cyclists bunch up at the front of the line in the bike box. The light turns green, they quickly clear the intersection, bike lane is clear, car quickly takes a right, cars behind keep flowing.
See, cycling infrastructure is your friend!
Like I said earlier car travel is subsidized from the auto-plant all the way to your driveway. I don't have time to seek out and prove this for you. it's all hidden in transport Canada and MTO policy papers but you have to dig at it.
And about the gas tax.. we don't live in Europe go there and talk about gas taxes they will laugh at you for the pennies we pay. Considering out Country is vastly in-efficient and we still ship in our oil from the middle east we pay nothing for our gas compared to most countries. We travel are roads free of charge while most other countries pay out the ass in tolls and user fees. Drivers have it good. It's all a matter of choice and what works but each mode should have the viability to be taken as a choice for those it works best for. That is what a full transport system is all about. The Car will never be killed but if people started paying for the true cost of driving then the alternatives would look a lot better than they do now.
Never mind the actual facts that indicate building bicycle infrastructure improves a city's competitiveness and revenue - there is an election to win! Nothing can appease the motoring majority more than for them to see a "free-loading" cyclist punished. No politician is afraid to light the future on fire if it will get them elected today.
Bikes must have their lane.
Bikes are to follow the same rules, signals and signs as all other vehicles.
Bikes can filter on the RIGHT of the road side when safe to do so.
Bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or through crosswalks.
The first vehicle to arrive at an intersection has the right of way.
Bikes must have brakes! I think those single speed lightweight racing bikes are cool, but you need brakes!!!
Bikes must have both front (white) and rear (red) working lights.(I need to see them, I don't want to hit them)
Bikes can not split lanes.
These are the rules I see constantly broken by cyclists.
Drivers must give up their lane to cyclists.
Drivers making lane changes at or near intersections.
Drivers not stopping and checking intersections before proceeding,
Drivers are frustrated and not behaving well at all.
Pedestrians...well the "I have the right of way no matter what the signal says" atitude and the entitlement to cross haphazardly anywhere is endangering many.
This all makes for a big mess.
Add to this the fact that somehow many cyclists and pedestrians feel that they do not need to stop for anything(cars, red lights, stopsigns) or anyone (pedestrians, other bikes), drivers that see cyclists as a nuisance and let's not talk about those supposed E-Bikes who seem to think they are above the law along with roller bladers and skateboarders!
We have total pandemonium.
When is the City Traffic poeple and the bike lobby going to wake up and realize that pedestrians, drivers and cyclists must be EDUCATED on the laws regarding use and sharing of the very conjested downtown roadways? A major billboard and TV campaign can raise everyone's awareness, solid zero tolerance enforcement needs to follow.
Signed
Frustrated car and Vespa driver
It's funny reading the zealously anti-bike comments. They're like little children throwing temper tantrums (except the ones fantasizing about killing people with their vehicle - you guys are psychopaths). Why on earth would you demand all bikers get a car? The next time you're stuck in traffic and having a road-rage induced aneurysm, and you see a handful of bikers glide by in the bike lane, ask yourself: would you really prefer those bikers to be in cars instead, all around you, helping make the traffic jam even worse? How does that make sense?
Toronto's roads are already incredibly congested, and the city population grows every year. More and more people need to get around the city, and no matter what we do we simply don't have enough room for them all to be on the road. Go ahead and build more roads. Demolish city blocks and build freeways through neighborhoods. It's been proven time and again that the more road you build, the more drivers will rush in to fill it, and the congestion never gets any better.
All you nuts raving about the economy need to realize the city loses millions every year from lost productivity due to congestion. And guess what, it's not bikes causing those traffic jams. The real economic threat is a city so choked with traffic that no one can get anywhere.
The only solution - which benefits everyone, from private citizens to businesses - is to invest in more efficient means of moving more people, faster, using less space. And that means things like bikes and public transit.
For the record I bike and drive a motorcycle and a car in south central Toronto every day. Happy gliding, I pray no one hits you.
have any more of these shown up since this was originally posted?