This coming Monday, November 1st, 2004, City Councillors will be reviewing the plans for redeveloping Union Station. On July 30, 2002 the process to start planning the redevelop Union Station was launched by a motion at City Council. Then Councillor Jack Layton added an amendment that asked that cycling facillities be included in that plan. The amendment is quoted below.

“It is further recommended that discussions with the proponent include: (1) the development of an ambitious plan for cycling facilities, cycling rentals and service, modelled on best practices from Europe, and further, that there be consultation with the City's Cycling Committee and staff of the Works and Emergency Services Department
Motion (c) by Councillor Layton carried.

The question to be asked now is whether or not cycling facillities have been included in the plan. The report that the City Councillors will be voting on is on line at www.toronto.ca/union_station. A cursory read through of the documents reveals that the planners acknowledge that bicycles are one of the the many modes of traffic that need to be accomodated, it is however short on details on how cyclists will be accomodated. The following is a quote from the 'Vision' document of the report.

Union Station is, and will continue to be, a primary point of arrival and departure for Downtown Toronto. Whether by train, streetcar, bus, taxi, bicycle or on foot, people from across the City of Toronto, region and country will invariably encounter Union Station, either as commuters or travellers.

There is one section in the "Plan" document that specifically mentions facilities for cyclists.

Bicyclists should be accommodated through the introduction of appropriately located secured bicycle control areas, amenities and facilities.

The details and extent of the facilities still have to be worked out. That is to be done in 2005 during the planning phase of the project. The proponent who will be developing these will be the Union Pearson Group. They have offered to meet with the cycling committee in early 2005 to discuss these issues.

Even though there is mention of cycling facilities in the plan it would be good for cyclists who want these facilities to let the committee members know that they want them implemented. You could also let them know what types of facilities you would like to see there: bike lockers? bike rentals? repair stations? showers? If you want to have input on the proposal that will be voted on on Monday Nov. 1st you can send in a written deputation or appear at the committee meeting in person. You have to send in your written comments or get onto the deputation list before Friday October 29th at 4:00 pm.