Deadlly combination is putting safety of cyclists at risk in Toronto

A lethal combination of road debris, careless driving habits, and bad roads are causing costly wear and tear for many bicyclists in Toronto. And that's not all; the mixture is also putting safety of cyclists at risk.

Cycling has its dangers, but “It is debris from dump trucks and the potholes on roads, that is causing serious accidents and expensive repairs afterwards,” said Casey Anderson of The CyclePath, a bicycle repair shop in East York. And “Sometimes is more to do with the people using the road than the road itself,” Anderson added. Nonetheless, according to Transport Canada, over 350 fatalities and 25,000 injuries each year is direct result of poor roads. Cyclists are always first to experience the brunt of road disintegration. When the roads starts going bad it usually starts at the edges, where cyclists likely to ride. This puts bicyclists at greater risk of crashing or losing control if they hit a pothole or if they must veer off to avoid large cracks. Dangerous road conditions seem to be more evident and getting worst for cyclists along downtown core. “Sherbourne Street is in really rough shape, I was almost side wiped twice while cycling on Shutter Street,” said Jay Morrison, who commutes often to his workplace in Downtown Toronto. “My commute seems to be getting worse every day,” Morrison added. If a cyclist is lucky enough to avoid serious injuries due to the existing dangerous road conditions, he or she will still end up paying for expensive and necessary bicycle repairs. According to The CyclePath, beside often, flat tire repairs, which are a direct result of small pieces of garbage left behind by garbage trucks. Many cyclists have to tune-up their bikes at least twice in summer months to keep their bikes on the road. A deluxe tune-up, which includes brakes adjustments, front & rear gear adjustments, bottom bracket adjustment, headset adjustment, alignment of both wheels and lubricating drive trains will costs cyclist $ 59. DTC (Drivetrain Clean) involving removing chain, freewheel, crank, front and rear derailleurs and cleaning in solvent tank will cost $39.99. Each year Canadian Automobile Association and the Ontario Road Builders Association compile a list of the 20 Worst Roads in Toronto, and elsewhere in Ontario. They blame lack of investment from all three levels of the government for crumbling streets. During the 2006 municipal election, city councillors supported investments in Active Transportation – walking and cycling. One of the commitments was to fund the Transportation Services cycling infrastructure, for the implementation of the Bikeway Network on urban streets. The Toronto Bike Plan aims to increase bike lanes on streets to 495 kilometres by the year 2012.