Toronto unveils proposal for new bikeway linking Queen West to city’s waterfront

The City of Toronto has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance its cycling infrastructure, proposing a new bikeway that will connect Queen Street West to Queens Quay West, bridging the gap between the bustling Fashion District and the city’s scenic waterfront. The project, known as the Portland – Dan Leckie cycling connections, has been designed to promote sustainable transportation options, reduce traffic infiltration in local neighborhoods, and ensure the safety of cyclists.

The proposed cycling route will traverse Portland Street, cross the iconic Puente De Luz pedestrian/cycling bridge, and continue along Dan Leckie Way. The initiative is a crucial component of the Council-approved Cycling Network Plan for 2024 and represents a significant step toward improving the city’s cycling infrastructure.

Key Features of the Proposed Bikeway

1. Bidirectional Cycle Track: The plan envisions a bidirectional cycle track on the west side of Portland Street and another on the east side of Dan Leckie Way, providing a dedicated and safe space for cyclists to navigate these busy thoroughfares.
2. Connection via Puente De Luz Bridge: To ensure seamless connectivity between Portland Street and Dan Leckie Way, the proposal includes a multi-use path on the Puente De Luz bridge, creating a continuous route for cyclists.
3. Enhanced Accessibility: The project aims to enhance accessibility for cyclists by connecting the Martin Goodman Trail (MGT) to existing cycling infrastructure, including Douro-Wellington and Richmond-Adelaide, providing more convenient options for commuters.
4. Improved Downtown Access: The bikeway will offer a safe and straightforward cycling connection between the downtown core and CityPlace. Alternative routes, such as Blue Jays Way and Spadina Avenue, have been deemed less ideal for cycling, making this proposed connection a valuable addition.
5. Support for Local Businesses: Despite concerns about parking loss, the proposed bikeway minimizes the impact on parking spaces while providing an attractive cycling connection between the Kensington Market area and the Waterfront. This has the potential to benefit local businesses by increasing foot traffic and accessibility.

Queen West, Toronto

Community Involvement

To ensure that the Queen West bikeway design takes into account the needs and preferences of the community, the City of Toronto has launched a survey. This survey, available for completion until October 27th, 2023, invites residents and cyclists to provide valuable input and feedback on the project.

The survey covers various aspects of the proposed bikeway, including its design, safety features, and potential impacts on local businesses and parking availability. Participation in the survey is encouraged, as it will play a crucial role in shaping the final design of the bikeway. Click here to access the survey site.

Final Thoughts

The City of Toronto’s proposal for a new bikeway connecting Queen West to Queens Quay West through Portland Street and Dan Leckie Way represents an important milestone in the city’s efforts to promote sustainable transportation options and enhance cyclist safety. By providing a dedicated and accessible route between the Fashion District and the waterfront, the project should improve connectivity and reduce traffic infiltration in local neighborhoods.

In addition to this gorgeous slice of cycleway, Toronto also recently unveiled the design for the city’s first bona fide Dutch-style intersection.

Toronto is finally making more significant moves to shore up its cycling infrastructure and connect the various random cycleways to start to form a more fulsome network. If bike lanes weren’t closed with no alternatives supplied thanks to never-ending construction, it might be downright magical.