‘A battle for safety’: Toronto considering new bike lane on dangerous west-end road as province looks to limit them

City staff’s recommendation that a new bike lane be installed along a collision-prone stretch of Parkside Drive could potentially set up a battle with the province, as it moves to place new restrictions on the ability of municipalities to remove lanes of traffic for that purpose.

City staff’s recommendation that a new bike lane be installed along a collision-prone stretch of Parkside Drive could potentially set up a battle with the province, as it moves to place new restrictions on the ability of municipalities to remove lanes of traffic for that purpose.

Staff released a report on Tuesday calling for the installation of a 1.9- kilometre bike lane between Bloor Street West and Lake Shore Boulevard as part of a series of improvements aimed at addressing road safety along the corridor.

But hours later the Ford government announced that it would table legislation preventing municipalities from removing lanes of traffic for the installation of bike lanes, putting the plan at risk.

Faraz Gholizadeh, the co-chair of Safe Parkside, said installing a bike lane on Parkside is part of a bigger effort to make the busy arterial road safer for all who use the street.

“It’s not just about bike lanes, it’s about safety. This street needs to be addressed before more people die,” he said.

“The province would be wise to focus on people’s safety rather than commute times.”