Cycling advocates upset project for bike lanes in North York delayed

Cycling advocates are worried after Mayor John Tory's executive committee put the brakes on a plan for a section of Yonge Street in North York that would add more space for cyclists and pedestrians.

The committee voted todelay funding that would be used to plan the development of a 2.1 kilometre stretch of Yonge Street from Sheppard Avenue north to Finch Avenue.

"I was shocked. It was completely unexpected," said Jared Kolb, executive director of Cycle Toronto.

Kolb said his group is one of several community organizations working on this project for the past year and a half. He noted that the plan is not just about adding bike lanes, but re-designing the street for cars and pedestrians as well, to reflect population changes and increase safety.

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"A deferral now is just a bad use of money," said Kolb, since the federal government has already chipped in half the $4 million.

Coun. David Shiner, who represents Ward 24, Willowdale,brought forward the motion to hold off on the plan, called Re-Imagining Yonge Street

Shinerworried parking spots will be lost

He said it makes no sense to spend money onit now, especially when the project only involves a small section of Yonge Street, with no bike lanes north or south of that area.

He called it "extremely dangerous" for cyclists north and south of this section.

And that was not his only concern.

"You're taking out all the parking on the street for all the stores that have their businesses there ... All the ones I spoke to have never heard of this proposal."

Mayor John Tory's office released a written statementnotingthat city staff have not yet completed a final report on the project.

"The Mayor believes allocating this funding now would be premature," the statement reads. "This project will be considered under the 2018 budget process at which point Council would have seen a report with recommendations and voted on the project."

Cycle Toronto said it's planning to lobby councillors before next week'scity council meeting, hoping to get the delay reversed.