Description

The City of Toronto seems intent on removing bicycle parking where it is needed most in it's ongoing effort to "beautify" sidewalks. Bloor St. in Yorkville, and Yonge / Dundas are a just a couple of examples. A recent post reported on damage to tree bark caused by bicycles being locked to trees. Cyclists do not actually prefer to lock their bikes to trees, and do so only because of a lack of bicycle parking. If the city provided adequate ring-and-post stands on sidewalks, locking bicycles to trees, fences, etc. would not be necessary.

At present, the City is re-paving the sidewalks on College St. between Bay St. and Yonge St., and in the process, removing more bicycle parking. At the very least, they should be replacing the posts they have removed - if not adding more in this area that is heavily used by cyclists. If adequate parking is not provided, you can be sure that cyclists will start to lock their bikes to trees instead.

By slowly removing bike parking and eroding what precious cycling infrastructure we have in this city, Toronto is discouraging cycling in the city by making it less and less convenient.