In My Opinion: Need for protected cycle tracks on Jones Avenue must be made clear to local councillor

By LANRICK BENNETT JR.

Before Zoe went on a bike strike a week before Halloween in 2018, she was an excited nine-year-old, motivated to take her bike on the most epic trip: a daily ride to school. Jones Avenue to Dundas Street East to Duke of Connaught School. 12 minutes. 2.4 kilometres.

That all changed on May 16th.

That morning, Douglas Crosbie was cycling to work, on the reverse route, at the same intersection, when he was struck and killed by a driver turning right from Jones onto Dundas.

At the time, Douglas was married and a father of two. He was a television producer and a volunteer hockey coach at Ted Reeve Arena. He was part of this community. His death shattered his family and left a ghost bike at Dundas and Jones painted white, chained to a pole, pleading silently for action.

Zoe and I missed Douglas Crosbie death by 15 minutes.

In the wake of Douglas’s death, the City of Toronto took some action.

In October 2019, City Council adopted item TE8.72, prohibiting right turns on red at Dundas and Jones. In March 2020, further recommendations were made via TE14.81 to study the intersection, improve sightlines, and consider extending protections to other crossings on Dundas like Logan, Carlaw, and Greenwood.

That was five years ago, and Jones Avenue remained unchanged.

Finally, in 2024, the City held consultations on long-planned road resurfacing for Jones Avenue between Queen and Dundas.

That work was, and is, a clear opportunity to make the street safer, particularly for vulnerable road users. Two design options were presented: Option 1 preserved the current painted bike lanes and curbside parking, and Option 2 replaced the painted lanes with uni-directional protected cycle tracks and relocated parking.

The community and staff overwhelmingly supported Option 2.

On April 17/18, 2024, City Council adopted item IE12.4, authorizing the installation of those protected cycle tracks on Jones Avenue from Queen Street to Dundas Street East.

An approved plan. The funding is allocated. The roadwork is scheduled.

So why is there now talk of delay?

A recent community notice on Facebook stated, “Quick follow up on the bike lane on Jones situation. Paula’s office wants to hear your support as they confirm plans to go through with the idea. If not it is at risk of being paused. Please reach out to her to express your support for a safer commute.”

This isn’t about gathering support and since no travel lanes are being removed, Bill 212 isn’t a factor. This is about looking for an excuse to backtrack. And that excuse does not come from data, nor from the community. It comes from a lack of leadership.

If this project stalls, it won’t be because of public opposition.

It will be because the elected municipal representative for Toronto-Danforth is more concerned with placating a few well-connected complainers than prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users.

Jones Avenue is a key north–south spine in the east end. It connects nine schools, two community centres and a public library.

For people biking, walking or rolling, many of whom are children, seniors or have mobility issues, this route must be safe. That’s what Vision Zero demands. That’s what the City of Toronto promised.

We’ve seen other leaders make meaningful changes in their communities. The likes of Wong-Tam, Cressy and Layton flexed their Political Will in the past. Morely, Bravo, Ainslie and the departing McKelvie have made strides in the present. In the East End, why should we have unprotected gaps?

This shouldn’t be a debate about parking. This is a call to be proactive.

The evidence is overwhelming: protected cycling infrastructure reduces collisions, saves lives, and creates an equitable neighbourhood.

Douglas Crosbie’s family deserved more than condolences. They deserved accountability. Our community deserves to see that ghost bike finally retired, not because we’ve forgotten, but because we’ve followed through.

City staff have done their work. The public has spoken. Council has voted.

Now it’s time for the political leadership to match the moment. No more delays.

No more excuses. It’s time to build what we said we would—and make sure no more children have to strike in fear.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Given the concerns in Lanrick Bennett Jr.’s In My Opinion column above regarding the Jones Avenue bike lanes, Beach Metro Community News reached out to Toronto-Danforth Councillor Fletcher to have her fully explain her position on the issue. Her response is below:

In My Opinion: Toronto-Danforth councillor explains her position on Jones Avenue cycle track

By PAULA FLETCHER

In Toronto’s East End, I have worked with many community stakeholders to build an enviable safe cycling network for all ages including with Jack Layton to install the first commuter bike lane in the city on Dundas Street East.

The installation of the Danforth Cycle Track has been so successful because our long and careful planning balanced the interests of cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, businesses and residents.

Over 700 residents participated in the “Better Danforth” project which included a Planning Study for Danforth, an ‘Origin and Destination’ shopping study for the local BIAs and a planned separated cycle track for Danforth where only a few parking spots were removed and 24/7 parking was made possible.

Options for enhanced bike lanes on Jones Avenue from Dundas to Queen were brought forward by city staff in 2023 when plans were made to repave this busy section of Jones.

Option 1 detailed how to make cycling safer using the existing lanes. Option 2 proposed a separated cycle lane from drivers by moving it next to the sidewalk. An online survey conducted by the city showed support for Option 2.

When starting the actual technical design, City staff realized they had miscalculated the loss of parking associated with Option 2 which would actually require the loss of 60 per cent of current parking spaces.

Jones Avenue is a busy street with parking serving nearby businesses. People are shopping, they are parking in the neighbourhood or waiting on the street for public transit. Permit parking is pretty well full. The loss of 60 per cent of available parking spots was going to be untenable.

In that spirit, a way forward has been found to make safety enhancements to the bike lanes on Jones Avenue between Dundas and Queen Streets without incurring substantial loss of parking spots.

City staff will now suggest proceeding with Option 1, in which the existing bike lanes will be reinstalled with safety improvements. That includes raised bike/bus platform stops at Jones Avenue north of Queen and Jones Avenue south of Dundas that will prevent buses from having to enter the bikeway.

I will also be asking staff to take this opportunity to review further safety improvements for the “T intersection” at Jones and Queen which has been a goal of Leslievillians for many years.

Safe streets for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers is a core city goal, we must always balance the need of all users. In the case of Jones Avenue, parking will be maintained for residents and businesses while cyclists will benefit from the safety enhancements being planned.

Jones Avenue residents will shortly receive a letter from vity staff outlining the revised bike lane plans and road resurfacing scheduled for summer/fall 2025.

When it comes our cycling network, I will continue to work for improvements for cyclists of all ages while balancing the needs of our local neighbourhoods.

— Paula Fletcher is the City of Toronto Councillor for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth.Chair of the City’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee.