Toronto councillors have voted 28 to 16 in favour of narrowing traffic lanes on Jarvis Street in order to make room for bike lanes.
The debate lasted all day Monday -- the same day cycling enthusiasts geared up to celebrate bike month. Council voted on the issue just after 6 p.m.
The $6-million plan also includes planting trees on the boulevard.
The proposal at the helm of the debate suggests removing one of five car lanes on Jarvis Street and from Bloor Street to Queen Street.
Currently, the middle lane on Jarvis is interchangeable, with traffic directions changing according to the time of day to accomodate the commuter rush.
Coun. Karen Stintz argued against the project, pointing out that 27,000 drivers use Jarvis during the morning traffic rush. She said statistics suggest that only about 130 cyclists use Jarvis and the surrounding streets.
However, Toronto Mayor David Miller rebutted by saying more cyclists would be on the road if the conditions were safer.
He said his vision for Jarvis is not just about cycling but about rejuvenating the neighbourhood with things like expanded sidewalks.
"It's one of our main streets. It used to be a grand boulevard. It shouldn't be a highway. And if you can add to that improved facilities for cyclists, I think that's extremely logical."
City traffic analysts said in a report that converting the traffic lanes to cycling lanes will delay cars travelling from Queen Street to Bloor Street by about two minutes on average.
The issue has caused a divide in the community. A number of community stakeholders showed up at council to voice their concerns or support for the project.
Bike month
In the meantime, avid cyclists celebrated bike month by staging a 20th annual group commute. Hundreds of people, including Miller, rode their bike to Nathan Phillips Square where they received a free pancake breakfast.
"Cycling, when done safely with respect for traffic rules, is a terrific way to get around Toronto," Miller said.
Shelly Lacroix, a regular cyclist, said she hopes bike month will highlight road safety.
"One thing I found is that cyclists don't follow the rules of the road," she told CTV Toronto. "They should really get their act together and realize its safer for everyone."
One driver said cyclists are dangerous on the road.
"We don't get along too well because they keep sneaking in and out of traffic," he said.
Bike racks have become increasingly popular over the years. The racks at Bay and Dundas Streets are so popular that people have taken to using trees to lock up their bikes.
"About half the people who own cars also own bicycle," said Coun. Adrian Heaps. "Imagine if people over a five-day work week could just reduce their cars by one day and decide to take a bike on that same day. They would be reducing the pollution by about 20 per cent."
The public who attended the bike month launch outside city hall this morning also had the chance to view the Eco-cabs that will be patrolling the city's streets this summer.
The fuel-free bicycle taxis are free for anyone to use. They will carry pedestrians for about six to 12 blocks.
About 150 bike-friendly activities are planned in the next month.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Michelle Dube
