On July 13, 2011, Toronto City Council voted in favour of installing physical barriers on the existing Bloor Street East bike lane that extends from Sherbourne in the west over the Prince Edward Viaduct to Broadview in the east. Our Bike Spotting team took to the street to see what people on bikes think about the plan:

Nadine Majaess: I think it is important that there is a visual lane distinction. We need boundaries. If they do make this a separated bike lane I guess it will look like they are investing in bikes.

Patty Lane: If they separate the lane with concrete barriers I think it would make things difficult for pedestrians and it would look ugly. I’m not sure separating this lane on Bloor will make a big difference safety-wise. But I wouldn’t be riding a bike here without a bike lane.

Byron Wolfman: Physical separation from cars is great but it’s not really a selling point for me. It’s other bikers I’m afraid of. If the separated lane is too small I won’t like it.

Maija Ellis: Won’t the barriers make passing more difficult? I think they’ve done a great job in Montreal with separated lanes where you get concrete curbs and wide lanes. Toronto is such a big city it really should be more bike-friendly.

Lisa Tait: As long as the separated lane is wide enough for cyclists to pass each other I’m OK with it. If it is too narrow then I can see it becoming a safety hazard. The lane here from Parliament has been erased with use and needs to be repainted, too.

Michael Booth: I’ll be glad when they separate this lane. I just moved here from Chicago where they are doing a lot to improve biking. I’m relearning the routes now in Toronto.

Photos by Frank Theriault