East End Snow Check

On Sunday, January 25, Toronto had a record-breaking snowfall with 46 cm reported at Pearson Airport and higher accumulations downtown. Seventeen days later, there are STILL a lot of bike lanes that have not been cleared! Since I had the day off today, I went to the east end to do some errands and get some takeout while reporting on the bike lane conditions along the way. Having above zero temperatures also helped.

Before riding, I took Mozzie down the Rosedale ravine for his daily big walk. While these gravel trails don’t get winter maintenance, a lot of people still walk in this ravine during the winter with perhaps the odd fat bike. Still a pleasant stroll.

Even in the winter, Mozzie needs his half hour of fetch! 😊 However, the snow meant using these large tennis balls since his usual Chuck-It balls would have gotten lost easily.

The Prince Edward Viaduct was well cleared.

Most of the Danforth Avenue bike lanes from Broadview to Coxwell were well plowed including in front of the Danforth Music Hall.

Even by the Ontario Line construction site just east of Pape, the snow clearing got done. How considerate of Metrolinx!

The snow clearing meant it was easier for this GFL garbage truck to block the bike lane. 👎

Fortunately, this FedEx delivery van was a lot more considerate. 👍

There was a spot the City forgot to clear by Linnsmore Crescent.

Just as I turned off onto Coxwell, I noticed the westbound bike lane was blocked. Note this is where Councillor Brad Bradford’s ward begins. 🤔

Made it to Little Coxwell Restaurant to get some Pad Thai.

The bike lanes were nonexistent on Cosburn.

And here’s your reminder why bike lanes should NEVER be installed in the door zone! The plows can’t get right next to parked cars and if they do get to the curb, the parked cars often block the bike lane. I also saw a couple of people on mobility scooters who were struggling.

The Chester Hill contraflow is somewhere underneath the snow.

Part of the Chester Hill Lookout was blocked by snow. You can still access part of the lookout per the cover photo.

Earlier this week, I noticed a couple of other bike lanes that were still blocked more than two weeks after the storm. Here’s Yonge Street looking south at Asquith near the Toronto Reference Library.

Here’s one block of Bloor Street from Markham Street to Palmerston Avenue. To be fair, the rest of Bloor from Bathurst to Christie Streets was cleared as were other parts of Bloor.

And here’s Palmerston just north of Bloor.

While Toronto’s cycling community can be understanding given the major snowfall involved, having blocked bike lanes more than two weeks after a snowstorm is unacceptable and it goes to show the City of Toronto still has a lot to learn from the 2022 storm! It doesn't help that John Tory coerced council to approve a faulty snow clearing contract in late 2021 when he was mayor which we are still suffering the consequences from today. In any case, please keep reporting blocked bike lanes to 311 and your city councillor, as well as demand better bike lane clearing during future storms.