'There must be a better way': Chow says middle ground needed to prevent cyclist deaths
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city needs to find a solution that better protects cyclists, despite an often divisive debate over cycling in the city.
"I'm sure there's a middle ground and I'm sure we can find a path forward," Chow said at an unrelated news conference Friday morning when asked about the recent death of a cyclist in Scarborough.
The mayor said Scarborough residents have had a "challenging" time navigating a debate around cycling and whether cyclist safety should be prioritized, or maintaining more space for motorists.
A cyclist in his 50s died in hospital Monday after being struck by two vehicles earlier in the day at the intersection of Birchmount Road and St. Clair Avenue East.
"I'm tremendously saddened," Chow said. "There must be a better way to protect cyclists, but also for the drivers to not be so traumatized. Because where the road is not designed well, cyclists and drivers intersect and accidents happen and tragedy happens."
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, who chairs the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, also spoke with reporters and called recent cyclist deaths "heartbreaking."
"It's absolutely heartbreaking to have any fatality on our roads and so we certainly are all very sad to hear another tragedy has happened," McKelvie said. "City staff do look very closely anytime there is an incident to have lessons learned, to look at the road infrastructure in the area to see any improvements that can be made."
She noted that the city is investing $30 million in Toronto's cycling network this year and added that a culture shift is happening, which is key.
"One of the things that is happening in Scarborough though is that the momentum is building around cycling and residents are starting to come forward to demand cycling infrastructure, which is good because that's how we can be successful together," McKelvie said.
She said the city's response is "multifaceted" and includes building more dedicated cycle paths away from roads.
However another event this week proved that changing the road culture in the city is a long-term process.
Cycle advocacy group Cycle Toronto said earlier this week that a cycling consultation evening in Etobicoke Centre Wednesday "immediately devolved into chaos."
Video posted by the group allegedly showed one man saying he'd like to "run over" cyclists on The Queensway who treat the road like it's the "Tour de France."
David Shellnutt, a lawyer who specializes in representing cyclists, penned an open letter Friday to Coun. Stephen Holyday, who hosted the town hall, alleging that the meeting "quickly transformed into an anti-cycling free-for-all where members of the public felt unsafe."
He demanded to know why the person was not admonished at the meeting.
In a post on social media, Cycle Toronto said "voters rejected the rhetoric of candidates who tried to use bike lanes as a wedge issue" in the mayoral race last year.
"Overall, despite the outrage on display, we know how popular improved cycling connections are across the city."
CP24 has reached out to Coun. Holyday for comment but has not heard back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I think Israel is interested in a ceasefire': U.S. ambassador to Canada
In an interview with CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos, airing Sunday, Cohen said that despite the failed attempt at a pause, he still believes a ceasefire is possible.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Monument unveiled for eight Nova Scotia brothers who fought in World War II
The eight sons of Richard and Sarah Harvie from Gormanville, N.S., are believed to be the most siblings from one family, from either North America or the British Commonwealth, to serve in World War II.
Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.
Officer arrested after allegedly stealing alcohol from store: TPS
A Toronto police officer has been arrested after allegedly stealing three bottles of alcohol from a store.
Auto thefts down from 2023, but remain high, new data shows
New data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) shows that even though claims for auto theft dropped in the first half of 2024 compared to their 2023 peak, the rates of reported theft remain well above those of years prior.
Liberal, Conservative MPs to speak at Oct. 7 march to Parliament Hill
A Liberal MP and a Conservative MP will be part of a team delivering speeches at an event in Ottawa commemorating the one year anniversary of the attacks on Oct. 7.
Son charged with mother's murder on Vancouver Island
Police on Vancouver Island have made an arrest in the case of a 78-year-old woman found dead in her home almost two years ago.
Taste of home: Tiffin lunch boxes bring comfort, affordability to immigrants
Yugali Bharote starts her day in the kitchen, preparing lunch boxes for her sons bound for school – but she doesn’t stop there. She then prepares almost a dozen lunch boxes for customers who have subscribed to her homemade meals.