Better visibility for cyclists - the lane is a constant reminder that there are cyclists on the road, even when the lane is not in use. Most roads are designed to accommodate the peak volume of cars, like a flash flood. The result is that most roads have excess space most of the time. Planners who try and integrate bike lanes into existing roads often look at the intersection as a main bottleneck for traffic. Planners may decide to add a turning lane to speed traffic through the intersection, while reducing the number of car lanes.
Planners often have to balance parking needs with buses, cars and bikes.
When parking is considered necessary, often by retailers who worry that less parking will result in fewer customers, the bike lane will be 1.8 to 2 metres wide, to help cyclists keep a safe distance from the parked cars. Toronto's bike lane priorities Currently, City planners are trying to develop a network of bike lanes across Toronto. They are starting with streets that already have a high volume of cyclists, in order to meet the highest demand. However, some high volume streets - such as Queen and Bloor St., are difficult to adapt for bike lanes because the streets are quite narrow. The City Cycling Committee has plans for complete routes across Toronto.