Office of the Mayor (City Hall, 2nd Floor, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON M5H 2N2)

Dear Deputy Mayor McKelvie and Toronto City Council,

We, the undersigned, support the extension of the Bloor bike lane westward to the Mississauga border as well as other streetscape improvements, including lower speed limits, narrower motor lanes, and an enhanced public realm for the safety and enjoyment of all road users.

The Bloor-Danforth bike lane – after decades of delays – now stretches 15 kilometres from Runnymede Road to Dawes Road which has been very successful as demonstrated by bike counts. The recent beautification of Danforth Avenue and midtown Yonge Street (pilot) demonstrated the potential of our streets as places for people to stroll with family or friends, to dine and chat, or to safely ride a bicycle to work or for leisure.

Extending the Bloor bike lanes would safely link neighbourhoods such as Bloor West Village, The Kingsway, Bloor-Islington, Bloor-Kipling, and Markland Wood, including new developments proposed under the Housing Now initiative. These bike lanes would also connect existing cycling infrastructure along the Humber River, Royal York Road, Renforth Drive, and at the reconstructed Six Points intersection. Extending the bike lane to Toronto’s western boundary would align with plans for bike lanes on Bloor in Mississauga.

Bike lanes help achieve Toronto’s Vision Zero road safety plan, public health goals, and our climate action objectives, and are consistent with public opinion polls that show over 80% of city residents in support of protected bike lanes.

We therefore urge City Council to move forward now on converting Bloor and Dundas Streets from motor thoroughfares to safe, inviting roads that support vibrant commercial areas, healthy neighbourhoods, and opportunities for healthy, active transportation.

We believe that we (all) belong on Bloor.

For more information, please e-mail community.bikeways.toronto@gmail.com.