Toronto cyclists fear for their lives in messy construction zones
Biking to work in Toronto is awesome, unless you get killed in the process — and that's not a joke: it happens all the time.
Spring is now in full swing, bringing both cyclists and construction crews out into the streets en masse for the first time since October.
As is usually the case, conflicts have emerged in the few short weeks since most people started cycling and jackhammering again. As a result, construction-related danger is high on the list of concerns for many.
.@joe_cressy heavy construction at Peter has turned the Richmond bike lane into an absolute death trap. Why was no consideration given to the 100s of cyclists that use this path every day? Some one is going to get injured or worse #BikeTO @JohnTory pic.twitter.com/uQLEaBVm2Y
— TObikelanes (@TObikelanes) May 9, 2018
Some of Toronto's busiest bike paths feel significantly more dangerous than usual this year
Richmond St W bike lane closure ... share the road 🚗🚲 https://t.co/FM1W6tahsS
— Janet Joy Wilson (@jsquaredink) May 9, 2018
Richmond Street just east of Peter is a mess, for example, with motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike forced to compete with each other to get past cement trucks during rush hour.
Just now at Richmond and Peter: construction is done, truck still blocking bike lane, no attempt at temporary bike lane. #BikeTO pic.twitter.com/bBHR98o9IV
— Iain M Campbell (@iainmcampbell) May 14, 2018
The same bike path is similarly scary coming up to the intersection at Richmond and Bathurst where, once again, no clear paths are marked and construction blockades push all commuters into one narrow lane.
I can't imagine this is legal or actually planned by the City. The bike lane is actually open past the sign @joe_cressy @311Toronto @TO_Transport pic.twitter.com/NJzSHGETtn
— Herb v/d Dool (@herbdool) May 13, 2018
Another incredibly busy east-west bike lane — the one on Adelaide — is even sketchier between Duncan and Simcoe streets, where cyclists are forced to cross over an unused streetcar track to balance on a narrow strip next to construction fencing before crossing back into a real bike lane.
.@joe_cressy Adelaide bike lane at Duncan has been covered in construction for months over old street car tracks forcing pedestrians into a dangerous position with bikes and oncoming traffic #BikeTO @JohnTory pic.twitter.com/glX5AKcpq8
— TObikelanes (@TObikelanes) May 9, 2018
Turning north on Simcoe from there brings cyclists face-to-face with a bike path that's been split into two lanes — one side for bikes, one for pedestrians — leaving both sides so narrow that a simple slip would spell disaster.
Construction has been going on for some time in this area and has only gotten worse since fall.
Went back to see scene of my near-death last eve. Didn't stick around cuz freaked out & didn't want confrontation. N on Simcoe at Richmond pic.twitter.com/gfFTS81ZSj
— Shawn Micallef (@shawnmicallef) September 22, 2017
On Bloor Street obstructions are abound, too many (in my opinion) to feel safe for some, and way worse than it was last year.
My first real downtown 🚴 ride of the year, and it's far more dangerous on Toronto streets for bikes than last September.
— εκλεκτικός (@BoutrosTO) May 1, 2018
Too many obstructions, and anything close to a curb - bike lane or not - is a minefield for cyclists. #bikeTO #TOpoli #VoteTO @TO_Cycling @CycleToronto
👎 pic.twitter.com/t7UnRZ1gR5
Whether it be for hydro work, infrastructure improvements or condo development (who am I kidding? It's always for condos), construction is taking up a lot of bike lane space in Toronto this spring — and few if any crews appear to be getting dinged for rule violations.
Westbound Bloor bike lane blocked due to construction at Huron Street. @CycleToronto @TO_Cycling pic.twitter.com/lpn9EBIRvN
— TorontoRoadClosures (@ToRoadClosures) May 14, 2018
It's fun and it's freeing and it's cheaper than public transit, but commuting by bike in Toronto has become somewhat of a gamble on some routes right now.
"Cycling on Toronto streets is outright dangerous if not suicidal," wrote one person on Twitter last week. "You got potholes, streetcar tracks, motorists opening their car door without looking. The hassles and risks are simply too great."
"I broke my wrist cycling in May 2016 when construction pylons blocked the edge of the road," wrote another. "They were out of view until I turned, forced me into car lane and my wheel slid in the metal streetcar tracks."
"Toronto construction season is stupid dangerous."
Lauren O'Neil
