Driving along Bloor Street in Mississauga yesterday I noticed lawn signs protesting against making Bloor Street two lane, down from four, Obviously for bike lanes. They were about to do that in Etobicoke and it almost happened.
Here's the problem. Bloor is also a bus route. Every time a bus stops all the cars have to stop. There is a third centre lane for left turns.
The weasel from city hall that was sent to explain the bike lanes was obviously pro bikes. When he was asked about getting past the bus that was stopping every two blocks his weasel reply was "I've heard that some people pass using the left turn lane." He didn't say to do it he just threw out an escape clause that is probable illegal and definitely dangerous if two opposing cars decide to use it at the same time, never mind the clueless bus passenger that runs out from in front of the bus.
What SIG is pushing this agenda?
I'm all for bicycles but we don't have the weather, public transit or infrastructure in place to let us scrap our cars.
High Park SIG
The relatively small group of cyclists wanted full rein over the park to use it as their training track. Various conditions including Covid has the park closed to vehicle traffic on weekends. That's nice for the locals.
What about the elderly or disabled?
There is no parking near the place. All of the single family home have been converted to apartments and the locals even have issues.
Another SIG wants the vehicle ban extended to 24/7. Great for the people living near the park. It becomes their private preserve.
Some SIGs are necessary when they involve civil rights, racism etc but some are getting redundant.
Seniors are SIGs. The same people that were buying homes that were the equivalent of three to five times a years salary, not 20 times.
Many of them got their first steps up the ladder when hiring practices allowed a lot more racism and sexism but they get seniors discounts when a struggling family pays full shot. Today's worker competes with all genders, ages and locations (This is Sarah in India. How can I help you with your snow blower problem). Throw in the lack of job protection due to trade pacts.
My main question is how do we fight the SIGs?
It seems they have a connection to city hall that normal working stiffs are missing. Suddenly one of these changes comes through and we are stuck with it. It would be nice to have a SIG that simulated Bloor Street with the bike lanes and the pressure it would put on parallel side streets. Not only would car traffic be impeded by the buses the buses would be impeded by the cars. A loss for everyone.
Here's the problem. Bloor is also a bus route. Every time a bus stops all the cars have to stop. There is a third centre lane for left turns.
The weasel from city hall that was sent to explain the bike lanes was obviously pro bikes. When he was asked about getting past the bus that was stopping every two blocks his weasel reply was "I've heard that some people pass using the left turn lane." He didn't say to do it he just threw out an escape clause that is probable illegal and definitely dangerous if two opposing cars decide to use it at the same time, never mind the clueless bus passenger that runs out from in front of the bus.
What SIG is pushing this agenda?
I'm all for bicycles but we don't have the weather, public transit or infrastructure in place to let us scrap our cars.
High Park SIG
The relatively small group of cyclists wanted full rein over the park to use it as their training track. Various conditions including Covid has the park closed to vehicle traffic on weekends. That's nice for the locals.
What about the elderly or disabled?
There is no parking near the place. All of the single family home have been converted to apartments and the locals even have issues.
Another SIG wants the vehicle ban extended to 24/7. Great for the people living near the park. It becomes their private preserve.
Some SIGs are necessary when they involve civil rights, racism etc but some are getting redundant.
Seniors are SIGs. The same people that were buying homes that were the equivalent of three to five times a years salary, not 20 times.
Many of them got their first steps up the ladder when hiring practices allowed a lot more racism and sexism but they get seniors discounts when a struggling family pays full shot. Today's worker competes with all genders, ages and locations (This is Sarah in India. How can I help you with your snow blower problem). Throw in the lack of job protection due to trade pacts.
My main question is how do we fight the SIGs?
It seems they have a connection to city hall that normal working stiffs are missing. Suddenly one of these changes comes through and we are stuck with it. It would be nice to have a SIG that simulated Bloor Street with the bike lanes and the pressure it would put on parallel side streets. Not only would car traffic be impeded by the buses the buses would be impeded by the cars. A loss for everyone.
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