The final leg of the Annette St. Bicycle lanes, from Runnymeade Road to Jane Street, are up for approval at the October 10th, 2008 meeting Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC). This is a victory for the community who worked to see the this new link in the Toronto Bikeway Network completed and it offers some lessons for other communities as to how to overcome some of the hurdles to getting these projects approved. In this case is was misperceptions that stood in the way of better cycling infrastructure in the neighbourhood. The first misperception was that on the part of some local businesses that there would not be enough parking after the bike lanes were installed. The second misperception was on the part of the local Councillor, Bill Saundercook Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park that there was not a lot of community support for the bike lanes as he was prepared to see the approval of these bike lanes put off.

At the June 2008 meeting of the PWIC a proposal for bicycle lanes on Annette from Jane Street to Dundas Street West was amended to leave out the Runnymeade to Jane stretch pending further consultations so only the Runnymeade Rd. to Dundas St. W. section was approved. This was due to the concerns of some business owners on the street who were concerned with the reduction of parking on the street as construction of the bicycle lane would require the elimination of parking on one side of the street.

This is not the first time that perceptions of insufficient on-street parking space have derailed a bike lane. Thankfully however public pressure forced the second round of consultations and an in depth parking study to determine if there was public support for the bike lanes; and if there would be sufficient parking after the bicycle lanes were installed. The answer to both questions was yes.

The parking survey found that in its current design this section Annette Street has 126 parking spots, but the parking demand was a maximum of 58 vehicles which was during the overnight period. The construction of the bike lane would lead to a reduction of parking spaces to 67 which is still in excess of demand. You can read the report for the full results of the parking study. 2008 Bikeway Network Program - Annette Street: Jane Street to Runnymede Road - Staff Report Oct. 2008. The report summarizes their findings in the following paragraph.

The businesses along Annette Street have consistently expressed their concern that eliminating parking on one side of the street will negatively impact their business. The parking surveys indicates that the existing parking supply significantly exceeds the demand for parking. The number of parked cars observed during mid-day, evening and overnight periods can be accommodated on one side of the roadway, however, drivers may need to park a little further from their destination.

The report above also describes the second public consultation meeting on September 15th and three options presented which were:
Option 1 - Dedicated Bike Lanes on AnnetteStreet
Option 2 - Shared Roadway Routes on parallel streets
Option 3 - Shared Roadway Route on Annette Street.

Over 150 people attended the meeting and 90 responded to a survey that was distributed to those in attendance 81% picked Option 1, the bike lane from Jane to Runnymeade as their first choice. The report notes that most of those who responded were from the local community. In addition there were 55 e-mails received in support of Option 1. This proved that any misperceptions that there is not support for the bike lanes in the local community were unfounded. You can read the report for the full results of the survey.

From this we can learn two things that can point the way to future successes in these struggles. One is that we have to fight misperceptions with facts. It is often misperceptions presented as facts that stymie the approval of cycling infrastructure projects. The second is that it is possible to mobilize a community in support of a cycling infrastructure project. Over 120 people either came to a meeting and filled in a survey or sent in an e-mail in support of this project. That is what made the difference and that is why the initial defeat of the project is about to be turned into a victory. Congratulations to the members of the community who got involved to push this forward.

This project has another couple of steps to go for final approval. This report will be presented to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee next Friday October 10th, 2008 and needs their approval to proceed. Then it goes on to the full City Council for final approval. Residents of Toronto who want to see this project approved would be well advised to contact the Committee members and express their support one last time especially given what surprise at last month's PWIC meeting when two bike lane projects were not approved.