In July 2019 the City began planning, design and consultation on the Bloor West Bikeway Extension. The project will study and develop a design to add a bikeway on Bloor St from Shaw St to Runnymede Rd.

On January 23, 2020 The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) hosted a Webinar discussing the economic impacts of the Bloor St bike lane, as well as its effects on the travel patterns and attitudes of visitors and merchants.

The Bloor Street Bike Lane Pilot Project was approved by City Council in May 2016.

The installation of the separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) on Bloor Street West from Shaw Street (east of Ossington Avenue) to Avenue Road was completed in late August 2016.

The pilot project allowed the City to demonstrate and study the impacts and benefits of bike lanes on Bloor Street. Extensive monitoring and evaluation were carried out and was reported to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) on October 18, 2017 and City Council on November 7, 2017. PWIC and City Council passed the Bloor Street Bike Lane Pilot Project Evaluation with amendments.

Project Map Evaluation Summary The Bloor Street West pilot has become the second highest bike facility by volume in the city.

The pilot project has improved safety and reduced risk for all road users.

The impact of the pilot on motorist traffic flow and curbside operations (such as parking, loading and deliveries) has been reduced through operational changes.

Total customer spending at local businesses within the pilot area has continued to keep pace with economic growth.

The survey showed that a majority of drivers (who do not bike) and a majority of business respondents did not support the pilot. There is general support for the pilot from cyclists, drivers (who sometimes bike), pedestrians and those who live in the area. Performance The monitoring methodology for the Bloor Street West pilot project has involved the most comprehensive performance evaluation undertaken for a cycling project in Toronto. Extensive before (June 2016) and after (October 2016 and June 2017) data was collected to evaluate the performance of the pilot in order to assess the impacts and benefits of the project in the following areas: Effect on cycling environment (on Bloor Street West, Dupont Street and Harbord Street).

Effect on motoring environment (on Bloor Street West, Dupont Street and Harbord Street).

Effect on curbside demands and parking.

Effect on local business.

Public perception and level of support from residents and businesses. Cycling Volumes Average cyclist volumes on Bloor Street West between Shaw Street and Bay Street increased by approximately 49 per cent, from 3,300 riders per day in June 2016 to approximately 4,900 riders per day in June 2017.

The Bloor Street West pilot has become the second highest bike facility by volume in the city with 5,220 cyclists per day in the pilot area.

Cyclist volumes on parallel corridors Harbord Street and Dupont Street decreased, as some cyclists re-routed to Bloor Street West. After accounting for re-routed cycling, approximately 25 per cent of the increase is due to new cyclists using Bloor Street West. Safety Safety has been improved for all road users within the pilot area.

Preliminary collision data shows that despite increased cycling volume, bike/motorized vehicle collisions have remained the same, representing a reduced collision rate. Collisions between motorized vehicles have been reduced significantly.

Before/after conflict analysis showed a 44 per cent decrease in conflicts between all road users.

People reported feeling safer using Bloor Street West: Motorists: 66 per cent reported feeling comfortable driving next to cyclists on Bloor Street West after installation compared to 14 per cent of respondents before installation. Cyclists: 85 per cent reported feeling safe riding a bicycle on Bloor Street West compared to 3 per cent before installation. Pedestrians: 86 per cent surveyed feel their experience walking on Bloor Street West with bike lanes installed is about the same or better than it was before installation.

Vehicle Volume and Travel Time The average total traffic volumes on Bloor Street West decreased from approximately 24,300 per day prior to the bike lane to 20,000 per day (-16 per cent).

There has been modest diversion of traffic volumes, with an increase of 7 per cent to Dupont Street (+1470) and 4 per cent to Harbord Street (+580). Overall traffic volumes across all three corridors is down 3 per cent (-1840).

Six weeks after installation, travel times between Bay Street and Ossington Avenue initially increased by approximately four minutes eastbound in the morning peak period and approximately eight and a half minutes westbound in the afternoon peak period.

Signal timing adjustments reduced the increases by half – the eastbound direction in the morning peak period was reduced to approximately two minutes and the increase in the westbound direction in the afternoon peak period was reduced to just over four minutes. Curbside Parking Demand Impact to commercial loading and accessibility was mitigated through the introduction of loading zones, accessible loading zones/curb ramps, designated pick-up/drop-off areas and education to encourage use of laneways for deliveries, where appropriate.

On-street parking was reduced to one side of the street only, however hours were extended. At peak times, both on-street and off-street parking was at capacity. Staff Report and Background Information Project Evaluation – October 2017

Summary Performance Evaluation Table

Feedback Survey #2 (2016-2017)

Bloor St Pilot (June 5, 2017 Panels)

Bloor St Pilot (March 9, 2016 Panels)

Bloor St Pilot (December 2, 2015 Panels)

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Transportation Services collects personal information on this form under the legal authority of the City of Toronto Act. S.O. 2006, Chapter 11, Schedule A, s. 136 (c) and the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 886, par. 886-19, Transition, Schedule E, Cycle Tracks. The information is used to provide the updates on Bloor Bike Lanes construction developments to the individuals who confirmed their wish to subscribe to our newsletters. Questions about this collection can be directed to the Coordinator Bicycle Safety Education, City Hall, 100 Queen St W, 22E, Toronto ON, M5H 2N2 or by telephone number at 416- 397-7097.

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