Toronto cyclists post photos of taxis in bike lanes, triggering social media uproar
On the streets of Toronto—as is the case in any major city, Canadian or otherwise—there's always one type of traffic that cyclists say poses the biggest threat, whether it's buses or cars or delivery vehicles.
Another fine lineup of @becktaxi Counted at least 15, must be a convention in the Westin. #biketo pic.twitter.com/GI3kd9orPT
— José Ongpin (@neuroticjose) December 6, 2015
On the streets of Toronto—as is the case in any major city, Canadian or otherwise—there’s always one type of traffic that cyclists say poses the biggest threat, whether it’s buses or cars or delivery vehicles. Ask any of those Toronto cyclists, though, and they’ll probably all point to taxis causing them trouble on a handful of occasions—perhaps more than that.
This weekend, one Toronto cab company in particular raised social media the ire of many local riders.
Via Twitter, various cyclists shared photos all showing the same thing: a line of about 15 Beck Taxi vehicles parked outside an event venue, blocking the bike lane at Bay Street and Richmond Street in the downtown core. Angry Twitter-using riders took the issue directly the company itself, along with Toronto mayor John Tory, through the social media platform. Enforcement of traffic laws when it comes to protecting cyclists, they said—blocking a bike lane carries a $150 penalty in the city—is sorely lacking, and it needs to be stepped up.
A representative for Beck Taxi, Kristine Hubbard, eventually responded to the outcry. Agreeing with the riders and sympathizing with their concerns, she said the cabs should never have been there in the fist place, the CBC reported, and added that the company will “do a better job.”
We'll do a better job. A full line of taxis. Dangerous and embarrassing.
— Kristine Hubbard (@KristineHubbard) December 5, 2015
“They should never have been there,” Hubbard tweeted. “On-site event staff have been shuffled for tonight. Hopefully enforcement too.”
“I’m just seeing this and I’m in 100% agreement,” she tweeted at another user. “No cars/taxis should be in the bike lanes. EVER.”
