Currently the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission are holding consultations on a proposed light rail transit route on Eglinton Avenue from Renforth Ave. in the west to Kennedy subway station in the east. This is part of the city's Transit City Projects. In the west end of Toronto a separated bike path runs in the boulevard on the south side of Eglinton from Renforth Ave. to Jane Street. The Toronto Bike Plan includes a proposal to extend that path further to Bicknell just west of Keele. The Eglinton LRT plan holds the potential to extend this bike route to Kennedy.

The Eglinton LRT project FAQ's on the Eglinton LRT project website include a question about bike lanes as quoted below.

Bike Lanes

Q14) Will there be bike lanes on any portion of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT route?

Bike lanes will be considered for inclusion along or adjacent to the entire route. In many instances, bicycle routes currently exist parallel to Eglinton Avenue, and could potentially serve as the bicycle path along the corridor.

The fact that bike lanes or a bike path are being considered does not guarantee that they will be included. Support from the community would help to ensure that they are included and input from the cycling community would help to ensure that the design of this route will be safe, convenient and enjoyable. There is an opportunity to get involved in the consultations and have your say.

Tuesday, August 19
6:30pm to 9:00pm
Leaside Arena, 1073 Millwood Rd.

Monday, August 25
6:30pm to 9:00pm
Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd.

Wednesday, August 27
6:30pm to 9:00pm
Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre
(Formerly the Mid Scarborough Community Centre)
2467 Eglinton Ave, E.

Thursday, September 4
6:30pm to 9:00pm
Richview Baptist Church
1548 Kipling Avenue (just north of Eglinton Ave W.)

You can get more details on the project, the consultations and contact information at the Eglinton LRT project website.

This year a section of the path from Royal York Road to the bridge over the Humber river is being upgraded. The Eglinton LRT project should provide the impetus to keep improving the sections from Scarlet Road to Jane and extending it from Jane to Bicknel and futher west.

The section of the Eglinton Bike path is undergoing upgrades this year which will add to the upgrades done in past years from Mimico Creek to Royal York Road.

The first priority should be extending the path over the Humber bridge by building a two way separated bike path on the south side of the roadway.

There is a large unused portion of the roadway on the bridge over the humber that could accomodate a separated two way bike path to join up the existing paths to the east and west.

Eglinton could become a major east west route through Toronto if the final plans for the LRT include bike paths and bike lanes along its entire route. Now is your chance to get involved and help that happen.