‘It’s the wild wild west’ Shuter Street bike lanes raise safety concerns

Fiona O’Flynn

Last year’s bike lane reconstruction on Shuter Street has raised road safety concerns. Local residents report more speeding and visibility problems since the road was repaved and new lanes installed.

The bike lanes were upgraded to ‘cycle paths’ – physically separated from motor vehicles – to “enhance safety for people walking, cycling and driving,” according to the city. However, drivers entering Shuter from driveways or side streets find their vision impaired by parked cars, making it difficult to see traffic and pedestrians before turning.

“I’ve personally witnessed cars inching forward and getting hit by a car that’s passing,” says Zaheed Alli, a Shuter Street resident. “The nose of the car needs to be into the sidewalk before they can see the roadway, or any cars going by.”

Crossing guard Matthew Hallowell has also witnessed near-misses.

No traffic lights between Parliament and River Streets

“Just the other day, a gentleman came out in his truck, and he’s looking left because that’s where traffic is coming from,” says Hallowell. “Two kids are in the eastbound bike lane going west, and he doesn’t see them. I thought they were going to die.”

The reconstruction also involved replacing the asphalt surface and road base, which was uneven and pothole-rid-den. The new, smoother road has resulted in cars driving noticeably faster, according to multiple residents. They report that it’s not uncommon to see cars driving at double the 40 km/hr speed limit, particularly at night.

“It’s the wild wild west,” says Hallowell. “You would think that the speed limit on Shuter, east of Parliament, is 70 or 80 kilometres an hour some days.”

The reconstruction reduced street parking on Shuter Street. Residents report that delivery vehicles and school buses often block the bike lanes, forcing cyclists into the roadway.

“A big problem with all bike lanes in Toronto is the total lack of police enforcement to keep cars from obstructing cyclists,” says Shuter Street resident Bill Eadie.

Some residents have reported an increase in traffic on Shuter Street, which has no streetcars, and no traffic lights between Parliament and River Streets. “People use it as a bypass, whether they’re trying to avoid Queen or Dundas,” says Alli.

Shuter Street residents are calling for action to improve road safety in the neighbourhood. The east end of the street has an elementary school, community centre, sports fields and a park.

Hallowell suggests lowering the speed limit on Shuter to 30 km/hr, and heavily enforcing traffic laws to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe. Others suggest introducing traffic calming measures such as four-way stops, speed bumps or traffic lights.