Bikeway Update & Petition

The plans for the bikeway through Trinity Bellwoods Park continue apace. 

FoTBP reps Anna Hill, Carolyn Wong and Michaelle McLean were invited by Councillor Layton to attend a stakeholders consultation on April 26, 2011 along with two local reps of the Bike Union, Herb van den Dool and Michael to view the city's bikeway plans.  The meeting was hosted by David Nosella, Supervisor of Capital Projects, Landscape and Environment, Parks, Forestry & Rec, Daniel Egan, Manager, Cycling Infrastructure and Programs, Transportation Services, Alex Shevchuk, Acting Supervisor, Area Landscape & Planning Initiatives, Parks Forestry & Rec, Planning, Design & Development, and Marco Bianchi from Councillor Layton's office.  (Councillor Layton was delayed at another meeting.)

Looking at the plans it was apparent that FoTBP's proposals to route transiting cyclist through the southern end of the park to avoid the playground and farmer's market and to avoid adding any new pavement (see FoTBP's petition for full proposal) had not been incorporated.

The city and bike union reps explained that, in their view, the re-route proposal was not feasible based on the rationale that cyclists will use the main paths anyway.  FoTBP feels that many cyclists would use an alternative route if given the option and continues to recommend acknowledgement that in recent years the park has become crowded with pedestrian users which make it inappropriate as a transportation corridor.

After discussion however, the city and bike union were amenable to FoTBP's request that their proposed new paved paths not be added.  They were less enthusiastic about our suggestion that the existing path reconstruction be crushed stone rather than asphalt.  Crushed stone paths exist in the city (Queen's Park for example) and FoTBP believes they would be a nicer, more permeable material and would not deteriorate any faster than the most recent asphalt installations. 

At the close of the meeting FoTBP continued to recommend consideration of a bikeway linking Shaw Street along Logie Place to the park's fire road and across the bottom of the circle.   Failing that FoTBP asked:

1. 1. PRESERVE GREEN SPACE especially open space that can be used for impromptu recreation. Please do not carve up green space with new paths that render open space unusable.
   2. REDUCE ASPHALT Please do not add new asphalt paths.  It is better  to widen existing paths.  Consider opportunities to remove  asphalt in the park.  Also, consider replacing asphalt with crushed stone or other, more permeable surface.
   3. SLOW DOWN BIKE TRAFFIC Please consider design strategies such as change in surface, speed bumps, or other to slow down bike traffic 

The revised plan David Nosella presented at the FoTBP June 27 General Meeting the City did not include new paths and opted to widen the existing paths, designating the diagonal path from Lobb St to Gorevale and Queen street an official bikeway for transiting cyclists. The plan wouldl also include short sections of some uneven surface toward slowing down cyclists.   We appreciate their support for not adding new pathways in the park and that the reconstructed paths will be 2.5 metres wide not 3 metres.  It is disappointing, though, to all those who signed the petition,  that the southern routes were not adopted.

Friends of Trinity Bellwoods supports recreational cycling in the park, but continues to advise against routing a high volume transportation corridor for commuter cyclists through our predominantly pedestrian park.  This is a safety issue for pedestrian users of the park.

If you are in agreement or would like to voice your opinion or contribute workable ideas on this park matter:

• 
  
  • write to Councillor Mike Layton, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
  • cc to Daniel Egan, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Manager, Cycling Infrastructure and Programs, Transportation Services and David Nosella ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

And  sign the petition.     A copy of the petition with 128 signatures was recently forwarded to Councillor Layton.