Just a commment from a local resident, who also cycles about 5000 km a year. The old ring at this location was next to useless as the bottom of the ring was only six inches above the sidewalk. Using it was an exercise in frustration. It is still visible in Google Streeview. It should be noted than the new LCBO that is effectively next door has installled no fewer than eleven official ring and post racks, and did this at least a month ago. Although I can't speak to the hinted conspiracy that Dylan thinks Shoppers is involved in, I do think that bike parking is more than adequately addressed at this location, and perhaps Cycle Toronto can spend their energies more effectively elsewhere.

Paddler's right, both that the new and nearby LCBO has a lot of bike parking, but every major business should offer bike parking, especially when covering such a huge area. True too that the old half-submerged ring/post was frustrating, but it was something. I think it's quite possible that Shopper's is either indifferent or hostile to bike parking: it's such a pattern that you have to wonder. I think it's worth pressuring Shopper's because they have so many branches in Toronto (and Canada): if they became bike friendly, it would make a notable difference.

City of Toronto's Street Furniture has promised two post-and-rings in front of this Shoppers by end of April. I got this commitment via email from Street Furniture this month. FYI, I first complained to 311 about the too-low post-and-ring that Paddler described about 2.5-2.5 years ago. Nothing happened. Last September I again contacted 311, which unfortunately resulted in that post-and-ring but taken out but not replaced. Various e-mails, phone calls, etc., later, plus waiting for winter to abate, and hopefully we'll at least have these post-and-rings in May!

Yeah V!!! Very nicely done. I've got a bit of a bug about Shopper's now, and have started to check up on their bike parking. The next closest is at 755 Danforth Ave, and guess what? ZERO spaces for bike parking, which meant I had to use their handrail, and my jutting handlebars inconvenienced a man in a wheelchair, who just happened to be coming out. This Shopper's too needs proper bike parking.

Well, they've now got a grand total of ONE ring/post. It's a darn shame that such a huge and well-trafficked business doesn't see itself as connected to cycling.

Note that there are two more post-and-rings along the front of the Shoppers Drug Mart, but farther west, so not so convenient from my perspective. I'm still trying for that one more post-and-ring, closer to Ellerbeck Street. I've just e-mailed Street Furniture to ask about getting that one back. Fingers crossed.

It's just inadequate. Last night there were many bikes: both rings full, AND a tree sadly being used too. They just need to get more bike parking.

I'm still following up on this. Street Furniture has opened up a new work order (WO13-02028) for staff to review the original post-and-ring location. Unfortunately one cannot check the status through 311 and must go directly through Street Furniture. I'll check in again in 3 months. In the meantime, the new post-and-rings in front of the LCBO, across Ellerbeck Street, are the best option when the ones in front of Shoppers are full.

Here, unfortunately, is the latest reply from Street Furniture:

"Staff are currently reviewing 2012 bicycle locking ring requests therefore this request will not be reviewed until the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

"Please continue to use the bicycle locking rings in front of Shoppers Drug Mart and in the vicinity."

:-(

Let's stay on this until Shopper's does its civic duty (and serves its own commercial interests!) . A few more rings will make a big difference here.

Have you noticed those 3 circular paint markings on the brick pavement in the front of Shoppers. Every time I see them I wonder if they are the markings for future rings-and-posts . . . The markings are west of both where the original post-and-ring used to be and where the current single ring-and-post is.

Thanks, V. Hadn't noticed. I think they're really being cheap with "their" sidewalk space, given how huge of an expanse they command.

Looks like its done, I suppose. There are now several ring/posts by Shoppers. Not enough, really , but adequate.