5 things to know about bike parking in Toronto
Posted August 15, 2014 3:36 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
News that a property management company had been removing bicycles parked on city property near Yonge and Bloor streets sparked a dialogue about public-private space and the availability of bicycle parking.
Here are some things you might not know about locking up two wheels in the city.
1. Eighty-eight per cent of Toronto cyclists and 80 per cent of non-cyclists believe there’s a shortage of secure bike parking in the city, according to a study conducted by the city last year.
2. In the same report, seven in 10 cyclists said they park their bikes at informal spots like gas pipes, trees and fences. Reasons cited include lack of proper parking and how close the spot was to their destination.
3. Rusty and damaged bikes left on the city’s post-and-ring stands may be tagged and removed. Once a notice has been attached to a bicycle, the owner has seven days to claim it before the solid waste department takes action. Bikes that are damaged beyond use may be removed without notice. There’s no guarantee owners will have their bikes returned.
4. The city designed new stands in 2012 after news stories revealed the metal rings on the original 1980s-era model could be broken off with a two-by-four, a report in the Toronto Star said.
5. Toronto’s Bicycle Locking Ring Program allows for parking of more than 17,000 bikes. Anyone can suggest a location for a new stand — it must be a city sidewalk or boulevard — by emailing streetfurniture@toronto.ca.
