Toronto installs new protected bike lanes along University Avenue

The City of Toronto has installed new protected bike lanes on University Avenue and through Queen’s Park Crescent.

These lanes are part of 25 km of new cycling infrastructure approved by City Council at the end of May, as part of the City’s ActiveTO program. The bike lanes on University Avenue run from Bloor Street to Adelaide Street.

A joint statement from Councillors Joe Cressy and Mike Layton welcomed the bike lanes.

“We have long advocated for safe, protected bike lanes on University Avenue, alongside major hospitals in the area, including SickKids and University Health Network, who released letters in support of the University bike lanes,” reads the statement.

“Members of the group Doctors for Safe Cycling, some of whom work in the area’s hospitals, have also highlighted the importance of the lanes in enabling health care workers, staff, and clients to safely get to work and access the area’s health care facilities.”

You haven’t cruised down Queens Park Crescent like this before… 😍🚲 #bikeTO #activeTO https://t.co/50GSfvNiQb pic.twitter.com/oScJylF43y

— Cycle Toronto (@CycleToronto) June 19, 2020

According to the councillors, the new bike lanes on University Avenue will connect to existing lanes on Bloor, College, Adelaide, and Richmond Streets, “making continuous, protected trips possible.”

They said that living with the COVID-19 pandemic means recognizing that people need to be able to get where they need to go while maintaining a safe physical distance.

“This means that many of us will need to consider alternate methods of transportation. The new bike lanes on University Avenue will provide an alternative to the Line 1 subway for commuters, opening up more space on the subway for those who need to take public transit,” said the councillors.

University Avenue. Today installation of our new bike lane on University is underway. Today this grand street is about to enter the 21st Century. #ActiveTO @m_layton @JohnTory pic.twitter.com/Kx9EFSbyg4

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) June 19, 2020

Toronto has joined the ranks of London, New York, and Mexico City, all of which have responded to COVID-19 by expanding cycling infrastructure.