Urban Planning and Cycling in Toronto

The growing number of cyclists in Toronto "have greater expectations for cycling infrastructure" and "for the city to do even more to ensure that cyclists and motorists alike are safe”(City of Toronto, 2010).

In 2009, the City of Toronto commissioned Ipsos Reid to study a range of cycling issues and the progress achieved since the previous cycling study in 1999.

Utilitarian cycling in Toronto

The 2009 City of Toronto Cycling study shows that numbers of cyclists in Toronto increased by 6% over the past 10 years and reached 54%. Ipsos Reid attributes this “small, but significant increase in cycling” to the shift from recreational cycling to using a bicycle as a mode of transportation. The number of  people who cycle to get to work or school, to shop or to visit friends (a.k.a. utilitarian cyclists) increased from 20% to 29%. While this increase occured in all districts, the highest number of people commuting by bicycle (36%) is in Toronto downtown.

Safety and Infrastructure

The majority of the study participants (72%) said that the overall quality of cycling routes and facilities improved, however, the quality of infrastructure was evaluated the same, or in some cases, lower than in 1999. Safety remains a major concern: two-thirds of cyclists do not feel comfortable biking on major roads without bike lanes. Both cyclists and non-cyclists agree that more bike lanes, paths and safer road conditions (e.g. "separating bicycles from motorized traffic") would increase likelihood of cycling.

Other suggested infrastructure improvements include “secure bike parking at subway stations and bike rental stations close to transit terminals” to accommodate needs of those who combine cycling with public transportation. Bike rentals could increase likelihood of cycling, as reported by non-cyclists.

Materials used:

1. IPSOS Reid. (2010). 2009 City of Toronto Cycling Study. Accessed on January 25 from http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/

2. City of Toronto. (2010). Key findings. Accessed on January 25 from http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/reports/pdf/cycling_study_1999_and_2009.pdf

... even in the city which has not a single onroad bike lane!

Copenhagen Cycle Chic and Copenhagenize.com went for a bicycle culture conference in Moscow...

"There was a Cycle Chic event afterwards and we went for a bike ride with a couple hundred Muscovite cyclists. Smashing night. Music from the ultracool Pokocox: myspace.com/pokocox"

(с) Copenhagenize.com 2009

Like on the 1937 video (posted on 12 December), 80 years later cycling in Copenhagen is classy and comfy.

Copenhagen - City of Cyclists (3:27 min)

"This is a video showing Copenhagens unique bicycle culture as it looks in the beginning of the early 21st century.

A monumental motion of everyday people transporting themselves from A to B by pure pedal power.

-Each day 37% of everybody in Copenhagen arrives at work or education by bicycle.

-25% of all families with two kids in the city own a cargo bike.

-And the 519,000 inner city copenhageners own 560,000 bicycles!"

(c) Copenhagenize.com, 2009

Hello, I would like to thank all who participated in the cycling survey and in the December'09 discussions on cycling! These discussions provided an opportunity to meet my neighbours both adults and kids. We had great time in a lively atmosphere. We played games, drew pictures, enjoyed tea and interesting conversations. 

Special thanks to my neighbours who supported me in organizing interviews and kindly provided valuable input in this research! I met and interviewed very interesting people who shared their ideas and provided insightful comments on cycling and walking in our neighbourhood and in downtown Toronto. 

This research goes on. One more December neighbours' meeting is scheduled for December 28, the survey continues until the 2nd week of January'10, any ideas and suggestions on improving cycling conditions in downtown Toronto are welcome on this website any time!

Thank you for your time and support!

Happy Holidays! Have a wonderful New Year!

Hello,

I would like to invite you to participate in the Toronto Downtown Commuter Survey. I am a

UofT graduate student, and this survey is part of my Master of Science in Planning thesis

in the UofT Geography Department and Program in Planning. Both cyclists and non-cyclists

commuting to the UofT St. George Campus on a regular basis are invited to participate in

this survey.

This online survey is anonymous. It will take about 10 minutes of your time. I hope you

will find a few minutes in your busy schedules to answer the survey questions. To

participate in the survey, please click on Survey on the sidebar or follow

the link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/85VS9CD

In order to help make cycling a more popular mode of transportation in Toronto, I am

studying factors that contribute to utilitarian cycling (non-recreational commute to

work, school, or to carry out other activities worked into our daily routines) or deter

commuters from engaging in cycling to the UofT St. George Campus and other downtown

destinations.

Results of the survey will be provided to organizations and groups working on cycling

issues on the UofT St.George Campus and beyond, including Bikechain, the UofT

Sustainability Office, and the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation. You will find

the results of the survey on www.doyoucycle.webs.com.

Your participation is much appreciated.

Thank your for your time and consideration.

Asya

Asya Bidordinova

MSc Planning (Candidate 2010)

Geography Department and Planning Program

University of Toronto

bidordinovaa@geog.utoronto.ca 

doyoucycle@gmail.com

www.doyoucycle.webs.com

http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/737916--denmark-cycles-into-future-while-toronto-lags-behind?bn=1

According to this Toronto Star article, 36 % of commute in Copenhagen (Denmark) is done by bike. The city has an extensive network of bike lanes. Questions arise in Toronto: what is happening to our own bike plan? The article mentions multiple studies that have not led to drastic improvements as of yet, particularly on Bloor st (many of us have experienced its lack of bike lanes and an abundance of potholes). So, another assessment is on the way - hopefully this time something will change. Of note is the difference in views expressed by the city council and citizens' networks with regard to whether European experience can be used in Toronto. Of course, Toronto is not Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but does that mean that cyclists should be neglected? Many comments to the article argue that yes, Canada's vast territory and cold climate is not conducive to cycling. Others disagree. Quite an interesting topic to duscuss further.  

Meanwhile, here's an interesting video of Copenhagen in 1937, showing its cyclists in full glory.

Every day we commute to and from school or work, do shopping and errands, etc. We take a variety of routes and explore different places. Depending on our preferences to walk or to ride a bicycle we have different experiences of interacting with other people and places.

The December discussions are an attempt to find out how we make decisions to cycle to not to cycle and what factors influence these decisions. 

While after the graduation we will move to other neighbourhoods, cities or countries, new students and residents will enjoy a tangible result of our discussion - a map of cycling routes in the neighbourhood. This map will feature most common destinations and highlight exciting places and challenges en-route.

Do you think creating a neighbourhood cycling map is useful?