Snow Removal in Bikelanes

[joe]

Toronto has gotten a lot of snow lately... have you been able to ride (or find) your favourite bikelanes?

If not, you can let the city know by phoning 416-338-SNOW.

[Todd Tyrtle]

No luck with my usual lanes - but then I haven't been out for a week or so (out of town).

Perhaps the answer is that they should reverse the priorities - clear sidewalks then bike lanes then right car lanes then fast lanes to encourage people to leave their cars at home when the weather's bad ;^)

[John Spragge]

Frankly, I'd rate snow-covered bike lanes as the least of my worries. The city's habit of slathering salt on the roads and not maintaining any dedicated bike paths in winter means I have three choices: take the TTC, thaw, clean and oil my bike after every ride (which I don't have time to do) and let the salt corrode my bicycle away, then replace it (a lousy way to treat a fine piece of craftsmanship that has carried me faithfully for twelve years). When I have clear roads, I bike, even though I have no access to bike lanes for most of the ride. When the winter ice and snow fill the roads, I take the bus, the subway, or if necessary a car.

[Todd Tyrtle]

John,

As I am someone who literally doesn't know any better, what would be a better way for the city to keep the loads clear and safe? I agree, salt is bad not just for vehicles but for waterways as well. However, I don't really know what should be done instead? I suppose sand can be used in many cases but doesn't seem to provide the same results IMO.

[John Spragge]

Ideally, the city could set aside bike routes on side streets that they would not salt. Using sand (which works by adding traction rather than melting snow) might help, as would developing methods to plow more efficiently, as would simply not catering to the car.

If I had a reliable way of winterizing my bicycle, I would do it. Unfortunately, I can only keep it clean and oiled, and I do not believe that by itself will save the bike from the effect of salt on the roads.

In the end, though, I don't know if we can expect the city to do any of these things. Salting produces the appearance of a solution quickly and cheaply, so I expect the city will continue to do it. And I will continue to wait for the roads to dry, if I can, before taking my bike. I refuse to destroy my bicycle; I strongly resist the idea of buying a sacrificial "beater" bike. If that means that for a while after a snow fall I take the TTC, then I will have to live with that.