City
Is $150 an appropriate fine for parking in the bike lane?
East end cyclists rejoice. The city announced this morning it has officially wrapped up construction work on Toronto's first set of separated bike lanes on Sherbourne Street, declaring a new by-law in effect for rogue parkers on the stretch between Bloor and Queens Quay.
The new rules, adopted at the last council meeting, ban all vehicles from blocking the lane at any time. Offenders, the city says, will be slapped with a $150 fine. Naturally, emergency responders, Wheel-Trans, hydro and city utlity vehicles are exempt.
The existing bike lane by-law allows taxis to collect and deliver fares inside painted markings without risking a ticket and doesn't seem to offer as much protection to cyclists. The new rules will hopefully reduce the number of cars and delivery trucks photographed illegally parked by disgruntled cyclists.
"This has been planned since the design was conceived, so it's not in response to that," says Daniel Egan, Manager of Cycling Infrastructure at Transportation Services. "We recognized early on that we need to have separate rules for the cycle track."
There are new rules for users of the bikeway, too. Cyclists must stop behind the doors of a parked bus, in the same way all road users must for a streetcar, at designated TTC stops on Sherbourne because the lanes pass between the bus and the curb. The press release hints that police and parking enforcement will be keeping a close eye out for any rule-breakers.
To celebrate the opening, Cycle Toronto is planning a group ride and audit on Jan. 5.
Will these new rules help improve cycling in Toronto? Will you use the new Sherbourne lanes? Do you have any concerns about the new by-law? Tell us below.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Photo: "Sherbourne 'Separated' Bike Lane" by Martin Reis.
Discussion
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A monumental waste of $250k
What's really needed is an incremental fine scheme:
1st time: $150
2nd time: $300
3rd time and thereafter: $600 and surrender vehicle for 10 days
But again, this all boils down to enforcement, and I have strong doubts it will be enforced.
Frankly the lane should have been designed better from the start. I hope they don't do this kind of design elsewhere, it will not deter drivers from parking in the bike lane. Or if they do, they should budget for some flexible bollards.
for example, http://blog.worldfriends.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/montreal-cycle-track1.jpg
the other side could then be used for parking. the bike lanes take up monumental room, and fail to prevent cars from parking on them.
CHRIST.
GO.
AROUND.
I noticed at the bottom of Sherbourne, south of roughly Gardenier, it turns SOUTHBOUND ONLY. I usually get a bixi on at church and bloor station, then head east to Sherbourne and then south to Queens Quay then west to Dockside drive.
That southbound only part is annoying.
Hello, a bike IS a vehicle under the HTA and yes, a bike is entitled to use the lane if required for safety (roadworks, bad road conditions, debris, etc.).
And yes, the cops do enforce laws against cyclists (I was fined $105 for an incomplete stop a few years ago), but only once or twice a year and in the same spots every time. Considering how many more drivers there are, it's not surprising they get dinged more often, although they still get away with a lot.
CHRIST.
GO.
AROUND."
You want me to swerve into traffic and get honked at or run down by some a$$hole like you?
"It should be equivalent to the fine for riding a bike on the sidewalk."
This is the kind of small-minded rednecked comment I'd expect from someone who calls himself Ford4ever.
In response to 'Beep beep''s comment "
CHRIST.
GO.
AROUND."
You want me to swerve into traffic and get honked at or run down by some a$$hole like you?
-------
No, dumbass, you safely merge into traffic just like any car would have to do if something was blocking the lane.
You look, you signal, you go.
Dumbass.
I don't see how my comment warranted that kind of ad hominem attack, frankly. Taking up a bike lane, by parking or driving should carry a penalty similar to that of riding your bicycle on the sidewalk. It's a similar offence, no?
If the big bad woad makes you afwaid, get off your bike and walk it.
I'm not afraid of the road, at all. I can traverse downtown faster than any car, at any time - no sidewalks necessarily except for the occasional hop onto and off of the curb to avoid a pinch. But it's the less confident and or able cyclists that I'm concerned about. I can deal with assholes like you, not everybody can.
"Ford4ever" simply refers to the fate that awaits this city as long as the Left fails to understand that you cant have entitlements without responsibilities, and insists on berating/belittling anyone who does not share their Portlandia vision. This discussion, and your shrill comments therein (how many people have you insulted here?), bolster my argument.
Progressives who want to win power in this city should be pleading with people like you to shut up and try a little diplomacy. You can't out-shout Ford Nation -- you can only out-smart it.
I want some of that stuff your sniffing,shooting up or smoking! Could you meet me at the Salvation Army shelter at queen and sherbourne ASAP?