Michael Ford to run in Ward 2, Bloor bike lanes approved

By News Staff

Within minutes of city council approving a byelection for Ward 2 Etobicoke North, Michael Ford announced he would be seeking to fill the vacancy created by the death of his uncle, Rob Ford.

Councilors unanimously approved a July 25 byelection with advance polls being held on July 16.

Michael Ford, who resigned as a TDSB trustee in order to run in the byelection, says he hopes to carry on the tradition of being a strong voice for the taxpayer, a platform his uncle forged when he held the seat from 2000-2010, his four years as mayor of Toronto and later from 2014 until his death this past March.

“Three generations of the Ford family have served our community,” Ford said in a statement. “My message to the residents of Ward 2 is simple: together, we can accomplish great things for our community.”

“I will be a strong voice for taxpayers and fight to make our City more affordable. I will support investments in public transit and push for sustainable programs that help our communities thrive.”

City council also approved a one year bike lane pilot project on a section of Bloor Street.

Following a vote of 38-3, councilors approved installing a separate bike lane along a 2.6 kilometre stretch of Bloor Steer West between Shaw Street and Avenue Road. The lanes will likely be in place by late summer.

The pilot project will go for one year before it is reassessed in the fall of 2017. At that time it will be determined if the bike lanes will be modified, made permanent or removed.

“Let’s try this for, what is it, a kilometre and a bit, two kilometres,” Mayor John Tory said, speaking in favour of the motion. “Let’s try it, with the clear understanding on my part, that if it doesn’t work, we’ll take it out.”

Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong expressed concern that this is just the creep for bike lanes appearing all across Bloor Street.

“Are there going to be bike lanes on the Danforth next? Most people will think, if it’s put in here it’s going to be put in there and I think a lot of residents will be concerned about having bike lanes all along Bloor and all along Danforth.”

Councilor Joe Cressy, who helped spearhead the motion, says the pilot will show both cyclists and motorists can coexist on the same patch of roadway.

“My expectation is that this Bloor Street pilot will show that in the 21st century, cycling infrastructure is good for the city of Toronto.”


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