Street parking a sticking point at east-west bikeway community consultation
CBC News | Posted: June 28, 2018 9:06 AM | Last Updated: June 28, 2018
Londoners debate the merits of different bike corridor plans
Should London put a bikeway corridor on Dundas Street?
That's the question that divided cycling advocates and business owners at a community consultation Wednesday night.
Right now, the city is considering four different bikeway options. They are:
- Dufferin Avenue from Ridout Street to Adelaide Street North, then Lorne Avenue from Adelaide Street North to Charlotte Street
- Dundas Street from Ridout Street to Egerton Street
- York Street from Ridout Street to Rectory Street
- Queens Avenue and King Street couplet from Ridout Street to Egerton Street
Most of those who attended the meeting were critical of the York St. and Dufferin St. options, which leaves Dundas St. or the Queens-King 'couplet' as the two most likely options.
But deciding between the two won't be easy, based on the scene at Wednesday's consultation. At issue was how bike lanes might impact street parking on Dundas St., and the businesses that depend on it.
Here's what a handful of attendees had to say.
David Long: Against Dundas St.
David Long says Dundas is absolutely out. He prefers the couplet. Long says he thinks the impact of a Dundas Street bikeway would be too severe and businesses would suffer.
"The average age of people attending the [Palace] theatre is 65 to 68; in the evening [they] are not riding bicycles," said Long.
"There's a couple restaurants and a brewery in the next block that may get some people on bikes, but other than that they're destination businesses that are not bike intensive businesses."
Long said he doesn't think it's worth it to tear up the usable parking for bike lanes that would mostly be used "six months a year, if you're lucky."
Manson Keeler, co-owner of Manson Tattoo, echoed Long's opinion. He said availability of parking has a big impact on his business, and that London should be wary of tearing it up.
"I said I ride a bike too, but I wouldn't want to hurt other businesses for the privilege of riding my bike down the street four months a year," said Keeler.
Well-designed, separated lanes on the 'couplet' make much more sense, according to Long.
Luis Patricio: In favour of Dundas St.
Cycling advocate Luis Patricio begs to differ.
Patricio says Dundas St. is a perfect fit because of its strong business presence. And, he says research shows that both cyclists and business owners would benefit from the bikeway.
"Having a bike lane on the door of the business, it actually attracts more clients because even though cyclists spend less money each time they buy something, they do more frequent stops because it's just easier—you don't need to park," said Patricio.
"For many cities across North America, you actually have more clients, you have more revenue when you have cycling infrastructure."
Lima added that London's overall economy would also benefit from cycling infrastructure, because of potential savings in areas like healthcare from people living more active lifestyles.
"If you think in a holistics perspective you would definitely invest in cycling and walking without a question."
Councillor Jesse Helmer said he isn't surprised to see disagreement, but thinks the city is making progress in narrowing its options down.
"It does seem like a couple of the options that have been proposed are non-starters for pretty much everyone, so I think that's helping us narrow the discussion and take us forward in the process," he said.