London cycling group says it's time for curb-separated bike lanes
London Cycle Link is proposing a curb divide bike lanes from traffic along Wellington Road and Eggerton Street
A London cycling group is calling on the city to build a curb-separated bike lane along Dundas Street, so that riders feel more confident cycling through the city's core.
"The biggest importance is actual safety, but it's also perceived safety," Daniel Hall, a board member of London Cycle Link told CBC Radio One's London Morning.
"Just knowing there's a buffer between you and the cars, it's a game changer in terms of getting new riders out."
Instead of road paint, London Cycle Link is proposing an actual curb between the lane and traffic.
The group is asking the city to consider the route on Dundas Street between Wellington Road downtown and Egerton Street just beyond the Old East Village.
Cycling safety
Hall calls himself a defensive cyclist, but says he's encountered a few close calls with nearly being hit by cars.
Concerns around safety for cyclists in London have been raised in recent months.
In January, a man on a bike was killed along Dundas Street after he was struck by a vehicle.
Hall says the idea for curb-separated bike lanes come from a pilot project in Toronto, along Bloor Street West.
What's the cost?
Hall estimates the price tag for building a similar system in London would be between one and three million dollars.
The plan wouldn't require any widening of the curb distance, according to Hall.
London Cycle Link plans to soon begin polling businesses along the route for feedback.
In order to get the green light from council, city officials need to review whether Dundas Street is the best bike corridor to connect downtown to east London, Hall said.
He thinks Dundas is the way to go, and that the city needs to prioritize the safety of cyclists.
"Even though BRT is getting a lot of attention right now … cyclists can't be forgotten. It's another mode to get around. It's another choice."