Toronto Cyclists Union fight to keep Jarvis St. bike lanes
Organization expects an environmental assessment before removing cycling infrastructure.
Toronto Cyclists Union could take legal action against the city for its decision to remove the Jarvis St. bike lanes. City Council voted to remove the bike lanes in 2011 in order to accommodate an extra centre lane for motor vehicles.
Toronto Cyclists Union argued that the bike lanes made Jarvis St. workable for all road users, a 1000 cyclists depend on the lanes, and that studies showed it did not delay motor vehicle’s travel time. In addition, it will cost a more than a quarter of a million dollars to remove them and re-install a fifth centre lane.
CityTV reported that the Jarvis bike lanes cost $68,000 to install in 2010 and it will cost $272,000 to remove them.
According to CTV, the organization issued a legal statement that claims the city did not take the required steps before removing the lanes, including the Schedule C Environmental Assessment, which would address the potentially negative environmental effects of removing the lanes.
“An [environmental assessment] would address the potentially significant adverse effects of decommissioning the bike lanes and adding a reversible traffic lane on safety, air quality, efficient transportation, healthy lifestyles, cultural heritage, and the economy,” the organization said in a press release.
The organization requested that the city put the project on hold and complete the environmental assessment. They are expecting a response with in 10 days.
