One thing that I love to do is explore places on two wheels. Faster than walking, cheaper than driving, more exercise than TTC. I bike as much as I can during the summer months.
One thing I know about cycling in Toronto is that it's not a matter of if you get hit by a car but when you get hit by a car.
So I was understandably a little nervous about hitting the roads of Toronto on by bike; what with danger lurking around every corner, in every streetcar track, and beside every parked car.
Luckily, I take bike lanes for the majority of my ride to and from work. I take the Bloor bike lane and the Shaw bike route.
Here is a comprehensive (but not exhaustive) list of why the Bloor bike lane is awesome:
- Direct line to work on a convenient artery of the city
- Exercise (work off the winter weight)
- Window shop local businesses (love a great deal)
- Learn about the neighbourhoods (and the people that live there)
- See what's happening in Christy Pitts (so far: baseball, protests, newscasts, festivals)
- Decide where I will order takeout from based on which restaurant smells best
- Be part of a biker gang (that knowing nod you give other cyclists when you make eye contact)
- Start seeing familiar faces on bike route (Toronto love)
- Appreciate good weather
- Get to wear expensive rain pants and rain jacket on rainy days
- Inspire drivers to ride their bikes (optimistic, I know)
- Easy to go out shopping along Bloor (quick errands are more feasible)
- Feel safer biking in this city
- Inspired to see more of this city
- Interested in advocating for more bike lanes in this city
I read today that 'millennials' like myself are more likely to support the Bloor bike lane, but 'boomers' are more likely to dislike the bike lane (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-bike-lane-poll ) which I find unsuprising, because they are probably the ones in cars that speed by me during my commute.
I hope that this ever-changing city continues to keep its sights on the future and opts to keep the bike lane.
Signed,
Bike Lane User Canadianlstan
