Ever since Peter Ustinov described Toronto as “New York run by the Swiss,” the Canadian city has seen itself as a northern version of the American metropolis. All the sadder, then, to see how TO’s leadership, after making a big deal of removing a bike lane on Jervis Street, continues to fall farther behind – definitely on the wrong side of history.
And some in Toronto know it. From the Toronto Standard:
While Mayor Ford shoots down suggestions that the City subsidize Bixi and announces his opposition to a new bike storage facility in the City Hall parking lot, New York City is churning out more innovative cycling infrastructure that is sure to make Toronto cyclists drool with envy.
Three new 16-bike parking corrals have been installed in place of single car parking spots in the floating lane that separates the bike lane from car traffic on 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen.
In this video produced by Streetfilms, you can see that cyclists and local business owners both love the “oasis” because it protects the cyclists, is convenient for customers and delivery people, and frees up space on the sidewalks.
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UPDATE: In springtime, a young man’s fancy…. you know how it goes. Check out 2:02.
Yet bike ridership in Toronto is increasing all the time!