page_title: Cycling in Toronto
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Cycling in Toronto / History
caption_attribution_description: Queen Street viaduct, under construction. Toronto, Canada.
context_page_description: Cycling in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, like many North American cities, has slowly been improving its cycling infrastructure. The number of cyclists has been increasing progressively, particularly in the core. As cycling conditions improve, a cycling culture has grown and alternatives such as automobiles are seen as less attractive. The politics of providing resources for cyclists, particularly dedicated bike lanes, has been contentious in the 2010s.
context_section_description: Toronto was no exception when the penny-farthing, and later the safety bicycle, arrived in North American cities in the late 19th century. This predated the advent of the automobile. The roads at the time were not ideal for bicycle travel. With the advent of the automobile the romance of the bicycle faded. It wasn't until the 10-speed bike boom of the 1970s that use of the bicycle for transportation in Toronto regained some traction, including the creation of the Beltline Trail.
  In 1975, the Toronto City Cycling Committee was established by the former City to promote cycling and safety initiatives. It was composed of cycling advocates, City Councillors and volunteers. In forming the Committee, Council adopted the following policy statement: "Council recognizes that the bicycle, as an integral and efficient form of transportation and as a means of recreation, can make a significant contribution to the quality of City life; therefore, it is the policy of Council to implement programs that will promote and facilitate greater and safer use of the bicycle."
  In 2001, Toronto City Council adopted the Toronto Bike Plan with the aim of doubling the number of cycling trips and reducing crashes and injuries by 2011.
  On May 25, 2009, Toronto City Council voted 28–16 to remove the reversible centre commuter traffic lane on Jarvis Street and improve the streetscape by widening sidewalks, planting trees, installing heritage plaques, and implementing bicycle lanes. In 2011, after the election of new mayor Rob Ford, a new Council voted to remove the bicycle lanes and reinstate the previous configuration. The Council opted for a new bicycle route along the parallel Sherbourne Street. On November 17, 2012, following removal of the bicycle lanes, the reversible centre lane reopened.
caption: Penny-farthing and safety bicycles arrived in Toronto in the late-1800s.
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