Last night, the Toronto Star reported that Councillor Dianne Saxe proposed exempting the Bloor to Dupont stretch of from the TTC's RapidTO Bathurst project. A move which would significantly compromise the project. One thing I learned over the years of doing bike advocacy is that we must NEVER EVER EVER compromise with the car-brains who go up in arms over the slightest inconvenience to their driving privileges. This applies to bike lanes, bus lanes, or creating car-free spaces. This morning while on the subway to work, I sent this note to Councillor Saxe (who happens to be my councillor) and encourage you to do the same. Please copy your city councillor as well if you don't live in University-Rosedale, as well as customize the letter to fit your personal situation.
If you haven't already done so, please sign and share this TTCriders campaign which over 800 people signed on.
TO: Councillor Saxe.(councillor_saxe@toronto.ca)
CC: Mayor Chow (mayor_chow@toronto.ca),
Councillor Myers (councillor_myers@toronto.ca),
TTCriders (info@ttcriders.ca)
It has been brought to my attention this morning you suggest a compromise for RapidTO Bathurst by exempting the Bloor to Dupont stretch per the Toronto Star.
As a University-Rosedale resident, I wish to express my strong disapproval over your proposal. Having advocated for safe streets for more than a decade and as someone who gets around Toronto by walking, cycling and transit, I know we must never compromise with those who benefit from the car dominant status quo when it comes to improving streets for all road users. I also used to be a frequent user of the 29 Dufferin bus and know the RapidTO project there would improve reliability and crowding there; something which would similarly apply to Bathurst.
The campaigns waged against RapidTO lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin Streets hit too close to home for those who like me who called for bike lanes. The opponents claimed losing parking spaces would lead to businesses having to shut down when we know the opposite happened when bike lanes were installed on Bloor from Shaw to Avenue in 2016. As several TCAT studies confirmed, only about ten percent of people arrived to the Annex by car, merchants often overestimated the proportion of those arriving by car - likely because many of them drive - and people who walk or bike tend to spend more. Business activity rose on that part of Bloor compared to a control stretch of Danforth which didn't have bike lanes at the time.
In conclusion, I urge you, Mayor Chow, and the rest of city council to NOT exempt the Bloor to Dupont stretch of Bathurst from the RapidTO bus priority lane proposal and instead ensure the full plan goes ahead. I thank you for taking this into consideration and please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely yours,
Robert Zaichkowski, CPA, CMA
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UPDATE 2025/06/12: As if attacking TTCriders wasn't bad enough, the so-called "Bathurst Is Home" Instagram feed went after me for this blog post making false claims that I don't care about accessibility. Thanks Kristin for flagging this.
Hear hear!
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