Thread by @AlexDRMather

I came upon this scene yesterday, a tragically perfect illustration of why Vision Zero is failing in Toronto (and of the fact that unprotected bike lanes are horrible and dangerous). 1/x

The person on the ground was thrown off his bike when a driver opened his door into him while he was cycling in the Harbord bike lane which, as far too many in Toronto are, is unprotected and in the “dooring zone.” He was conscious while awaiting an ambulance. 2/x

The scene in the two blocks immediately to the east and west of the spot where this cyclist was laying motionless on the pavement, still in the bike lane in which he was struck, is the embodiment of Toronto's attitude towards pedestrian and cyclist safety. 3/x

> 1 block east:
—18-wheeler parked in the same unprotected bike lane
—Dump truck blocking the crosswalk in front of a school
—Front loser blocking the sidewalk in front of a school
> 1 block west:
—Another truck blocking the same bike lane on the other side of the street

4/x

These are the conditions that vulnerable road users deal with every single day on Toronto's streets. Politicians refuse to make physical infrastructure changes that we *know* reduce death & injury. The Chief of Police has essentially admitted that they aren't going to help. 5/x

Road narrowing. Curb radius tightening. Reduced pedestrian crossing distances. Protected bike lanes. Speed bumps. Metal bollards. Wider sidewalks. We know these things save lives, but they aren't being implemented at scale. A crisis of either leadership, ignorance, or both. 6/x

I assume the person on the bike at the start of this thread did not succumb to his injuries (thankfully).

Still, his life may be forever changed, yet his story won't provoke action. 7/x

Physical protection should be immediately added to the Harbord bike lane in which he was struck. It won't be, despite the cost & scale of construction being nominal to do so, because the political will does not exist, even as the number of deaths & injuries continue to mount 8/x

Every stretch of road or sidewalk where a pedestrian or cyclist is injured or killed should be immediately assessed for physical safety upgrades. The fact that doesn't happen is a stunning exhibition of the pervasiveness of car culture and its acceptance of deadly consequence 9/x

Meanwhile, the Police will continue to roll out messaging that puts the onus of a "shared responsibility" for road safety on the people who continue to be struck by the operators of fast-moving multi-tonne metal boxes. Sidewalks, crosswalks & bike lanes will still be blocked 10/x

I don't know what, if anything, will break this cycle of political and institutional ignorance and pandering, but I sure do hope it happens soon, because I'd really like for my neighbours to die less often on our streets. /end