Building separated bike lanes supported by 80 per cent of Toronto residents
Support comes from all regions of the city and 75 per cent of drivers surveyed
Support for building separated cycling infrastructure in Toronto is very strong according to the findings of a new poll. The random survey of 800 residents found that 90 per cent of residents within the pre-amalgamation city limits support building separated cycling infrastructure while there is 70 per cent support in suburbs like Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York.
In addition to the support throughout Toronto, most drivers also said they want to see more protected bike lanes built. More than 75 per cent of people whose primary mode of transportation is driving support building more bike lanes with one in four drivers opposed according to the results of the poll.
The survey was conducted by Ekos Research Associates, and sponsored by the David Suzuki Foundation and cycling advocacy group Cycle Toronto. The results were made available exclusively to CBC Toronto. The results come a couple of months before the Toronto municipal election which takes place Oct. 22. Road safety and urban planning will be big issues especially in light of the 20 pedestrian fatalities and three cycling deaths on Toronto’s streets in 2018.
Toronto initiated it’s first comprehensive road safety program called Vision Zero in 2017. It’s a five-year plan with a with a massive $109 million budget.
Initiatives under Zero Vision have included installing 74 new red light cameras, launching school and senior safety zones, longer pedestrian crossing times at 100 signalized intersections, and modifications at 28 intersections to make them safer for pedestrians. “I think we are actually making progress,” Tory said despite the high fatality rate on Toronto city streets.
The idea for creating more separated bike lanes, however, is slightly more popular than specific projects that are currently in the works according to the poll. The Yonge Street and Danforth projects were only supported by three-quarters of residents with a quarter opposing them.
The poll also confirms that road safety will play a major role in the election showing that nine out of ten Toronto residents are concerned about road safety.
