Bike Lane Violations in Toronto
OK, OK! I'll move (sorta).
St. George at Hoskin, Toronto, ON
The usual spot where drivers block the bike way, this driver frantically waved his hands, perhaps in a plea to not be in the picture. A cyclist went by as this was going on.
"But I can't find anywhere else to park!"
St. George at Hoskin, Toronto, ON
I had a chat with her. I started with, "Why are you in the bike lane?" "You realize it is illegal. You understand it endangers bicyclists." She wouldn't move, so I said, "I will be taking your picture. Expect to see yourself on the web soon!"
I'm doing my part for the environment!
College at Robert, Toronto, ON
Said man got a good talking-to by me. When I pulled out my camera, I do believe he gave a salute.
And then a taxi zooms in
Avenue Rd and Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON
I stopped at the side of the road to take a picture of this awesome bike lane parking job. Not sure if this driver had the brilliant idea of parking a little ways away from the curb in the bike lane so that bikes might squeeze by on the inside?
Anyhow, as I'm taking the picture, a cab zooms in right in front of me. A woman jumps out and heads into the bank to the right. What is this, a parking lot? It seems so. The cab sits there waiting for the woman to return from the bank.
I walked my bike to the front of the cab and turned and snapped another picture... though apparently i'd accidentally turned my camera off so that picture sadly didn't get taken. The cab driver was waving his arms apologetically at me from inside the cab.
Ho hum.
Chair-man Mills Truck Blocking Wellesley Street Westbound Bike Lane
Sherbourne and Wellesley Street East, Toronto, ON
This is no surprise. I bike down this lane right in front of my place every day and there is always a truck or car idling in the lane. Not to mention they are blowing their exhaust onto pedestrians crossing by, but this truck forces cars and bikes into oncoming traffic by stopping here. There is a side street right around the corner or a huge parking area behind these buildings where this truck could have stopped. Cars are always stopped here too, many times cab drivers, running across the street to get food at the Jamaican restaurant. So annoying!
What's even funnier, is that a cop was parked right across the street and getting into his car when I saw this.
New bike lane, same old story (Part 2)
Renforth and Wareside, Toronto, ON
Today's "Cyclometer" newsletter that is sent out by the City of Toronto mentioned that there's a new bike lane on Renforth Dr., in the far west end of Etobicoke. I checked it out on my way home from work.
Not surprisingly, there were two cars parked in the bike lane pretty much as soon at it started, just south of Rathburn Rd. All of the houses along here have huge, generous driveways, none of which were full, so there was no excuse for these people to park illegally in the bike lane.
Hyundai Accent, license plate AMLY 031
New bike lane, same old story (Part 1)
Renforth and Wareside, Toronto, ON
Today's "Cyclometer" newsletter that is sent out by the City of Toronto mentioned that there's a new bike lane on Renforth Dr., in the far west end of Etobicoke. I checked it out on my way home from work.
Not surprisingly, there were two cars parked in the bike lane pretty much as soon at it started, just south of Rathburn Rd. All of the houses along here have huge, generous driveways, none of which were full, so there was no excuse for these people to park illegally in the bike lane.
Pickup truck, license plate 925 3WN.
Standing in line for pizza
Marlee and Glencairn, Toronto, ON
This guy stops his car in the bike lane (and blocking half of the car lane also, forcing cars into the oncoming turning lane), leaving his family in the car, he runs into the Pizza place. What's the big deal, he's just running in and out, right? Probably not... turns out this is right at dinner time, and the pizza place is pretty busy.
The actual parking lot for this place is visible in the picture immediately ahead of the stopped car. But notice the one way sign. In what seems a rather poorly conceived plan the driveway ahead of the car appears to be out-only. The "in" driveway comes in off the street just behind the stopped car. It is a bit confusing, and leads to stupid behaviours such as this.
(As a side note, the worst pizza I have ever had in the city of Toronto was purchased by me a few years ago at this particular establishment.)
Have a nice fall...
196 Russell Hill Rd, Toronto, ON
This is a particularly big example of the habit some people seem to have of racking their leaves into the "gutter"... which is to say, in the city, the street. In this case it is specifically a bike lane. Sadly this particular spot is in front of the entrance to a park, so perhaps may have been done by anonymous city workers. There are loads of examples of this leaves piled in the street on my route though---most of which while not explicitly having bike lanes is a designated city bicycle route.
It was almost by accident that i captured the truck in the background partially blocking the lane. I give this guy credit for at least trying to get his truck mostly out of the lane. It is a sad state of affairs where I'm actually grateful for a guy who only partially blocks the lane....
Don't block the sidewalk
126 Boulton Dr, Toronto, ON
Isn't it interesting that the guy tries not to block the sidewalk, and tries not to block the road. Bike lanes get no respect.
Free parking - in the bike lane?
Davenport and Dupont, Toronto, ON
The "free parking" in this sign is just ahead a few meters to the right. I wonder if the placement of the sign by the road here confused the woman who got out of this car (she did look a bit confused... or guilty... as she looked around before darting into the Davenport Tailors' shop).
Persian Carpet Stop
Davenport and Bedford, Toronto, ON
As you can see the "bike lane" narrows at this point, and this truck decides to stop just exactly where the lane narrows to the point where only he can fit. Just back behind me the lane is wide to provide parking. And of course there's the appartment driveway that he could have turned in to to get off the road... but no.
lawn care nightmare
250 Russell Hill Road, Toronto, ON
At least once a week this truck is parked here in the morning blocking the bike lane on a narrow street. Note that i've recorded the truck's plate here, but the trailer plate is 054 15W. The insanity is extreme here where he is parked right under the bike lane sign, AND a NO STOPPING sign, AND right in front of a driveway he could presumably pull into if desperate. Pathetic. Every week it is the same.
Confused couple can't keep cyclist's causeway clear
st. george and college, Toronto, ON
It's obvious they can't stop or park there, but they still do.
FedEx
St. George and Willcocks, Toronto, ON
Blocking the bike lane, and most of the car lane as well.
Rogers Van
Beverley and College, Toronto, ON
Could have parked right up around the corner, or across the street, but didn't.
No parking, no standing
Avenue Rd and Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON
Not only is there no parking, but this Fedex truck decides to push things further by parking just on the wrong side of the "no standing" sign also. I guess they just don't care.
Drive-in Bar?
210 Marlee Ave, Toronto, ON
Yes, this is my forth violation photo of this day. Not an unusual day on the streets. Sigh. There was actually a cyclist who had to stop behind this guy and wait for traffic to clear before he could get around this car, but I didn't get my camera out in time to capture that. I don't know what the guy was doing. Trying to pick up a bar maid, or watch the game? He noticed me taking pictures in his direction and suddenly sped off.
Delivering danger
Avenue Rd and Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON
This scenario at this corner happens more days than not. There is legal parking just a bit ahead, but usually in use. The bike lane curves out around the parking area (which is bad enough). However delivery vans seem to consider this zone in the bike lane to be their convenient private parking spot. I know they are just trying to do their job, but they are making it so much more dangerous for cyclists. This is a very busy intersection. Check the second picture to see the clearance of a truck passing the parked truck... deadly.
Where to park the welcome wagon
22 Boulton Dr, Toronto, ON
I sympathise with these movers. There are no drive ways on that side of the street, and it'd be a lot more work for them to park anywhere else. But... it's my bike lane! The angle of the truck nicely squeezes you into traffic gradually so you almost don't notice how far into the middle of the road you've been forced (and its a pretty busy intersection during the morning commute).
Double whammy on a downhill
126 Boulton Dr, Toronto, ON
This blockage is near the bottom of a curvy, one-way, FAST, downhill. These vehicles seem to belong to people work on the house they are in front of... so they figure they have the right to force all the cyclists into traffic (and people with strollers on the sidewalk into the street)? Note also the UPS van which just squeezed through... this street is heavily trafficked by boxy UPS vans in the morning.
Bike lane, and a no stopping zone!
College and King's College, Toronto, ON
A suit who didn't want to have to follow the rules.
AJRX 906 parks in the bike lane and sidewalk
Harbord and Shaw, Toronto, ON
As I approached Harbord and Shaw, this person cuts in front of me only to do one of those "parking simultaneously on the sidewalk and in the bike lane" moves.
Pontiac Grand Am, license plate AJRX 906
FAT ASRE parked on College
College and Bathurst, Toronto, ON
Fat dude in a minivan illegally parked on College St., east of Bathurst. One of the many people parked in the bike lane on Saturday.
License plate: ASRE 721
BDDJ 685 - Illegal on College
College and Brunswick, Toronto, ON
Parked in the bike lane on College at Brusnwick.
AMLV 067 - Illegally Parked Taxi
College and Major, Toronto, ON
Another one on College St. Not unusual to see this bike lane full of cars.
Plate: AMLV 067
Taxi License: 2678
AYLK 096 - Illegally parked on College
College and Major, Toronto, ON
Crappy little Toyota Echo blocking the College St. bike lane. This whole area was plugged full of illegal parkers on Saturday.
905er Taxi blocking College
College and Robert, Toronto, ON
Advance Unique Taxi: (905) 884-1111
Besides having a bad name for their cab company, these drivers illegally park in the bike lanes on College St. when they come to town. But then again, the rest of the College St. bike lane was packed full of cars on Saturday, so this driver was probably just following along.
Plate: ATVK 215
Taxi License: 15
Hello Rogers, please stop blocking the bike lane
beverley and college, Toronto, ON
Too many people think this part of Beverley is a parking lot. It's too bad, they did a nice job with the bike lanes on this stretch of Beverley.
Today's Winner
Poplar Plains Road, Toronto, ON
Poplar Plains Road is a long steep hill leading up from downtown to midtown. This guy was filling up a dirt box on the back of the truck with broken up concrete from the driveway. Going around this guy did not make the climb any easier
Just passing time
St George and Lowther, Toronto, ON
This guy was parked admiring the scenery and after he saw me take his picture, took off.
Emergency Shrub Delivery to the Yacht Club
St George St and Bloor St, Toronto, ON
Amazing. An 18 wheeler delivering potted shrubs to the yacht club. There is a big driveway for deliveries that a smaller truck could have easily fit into but these guys had to drive an 18 wheeler into the middle to the city and park it at this very busy intersection
Canada Post. Another major perp
St George St, Toronto, ON
Canada Post trucks are another major bike lane offender group
Lab Perp
St George Street and College St, Toronto, ON
Lab chemicals delivery truck. There was an open driveway for delivery trucks immediately to the drivers right but for some strange reason he or she decided that blocking the bike lane was the best option.
Said She was Sorry
College St and University Ave, Toronto, ON
After I took this picture, I got on my bike and continued past the SUV. Out the open window the driver said "Sorry!"
Uniformly Dumb
College St and University Ave, Toronto, ON
This is a uniform supply company blocking the bike lane in fron to Toronto General Hospital
Pepsi Anyone?
Gerrard and Jarvis, Toronto, ON
The main pic shows the risky behaviour bikers have to resort to in order to go around this truck Second shot show license plate more clearly
Exactly the right width
Gerrard East and Jarvis, Toronto, ON
This truck is exactly the right width to block the entire bike lane.
Smile! You're blocking my bike lane!
Beverley and College, Toronto, ON
Seems to always be a cab here, polluting the air and taking up the bike lane.
Cops chatting it up with a friend
Gerrard St. and Mutual st., Toronto, ON
I know police are allowed to park in the bike lane and what not.
I was standing on Gerrard, and I see this one guy parked in the lane, and then a cop car come up behind and flash it's lights, and I thought "sweet, finally some justice" then, the two cops get out of the car, walk up to the car and then I see friendly handshakes exchanged.. Turns out, it was just someone they knew and they were going to have a chat with him.
one car in the bike lane
cop car slightly in the bike lane, parked far from the curb with it's lights on
BDTJ 318 - Rogers van #42 on Davenport
Davenport and Oakwood, Toronto, ON
Parked in the bike lane on Davenport just west of Oakwood. As usual, there were a whole bunch of empty legal parking spaces just a few metres ahead.
Trailer on Davenport
Davenport and Laughton, Toronto, ON
This transport trailer (plate: C51 21K)was illegally parked in the bike lane on Davenport Rd. It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon either, as the rig was nowhere to be found.
AXDC 146 - Lazy parking on Davenport
Davenport and Ford, Toronto, ON
Lazy bike lane parker. Just a few metres a head, there were many empty parking spaces.
766 NPN - Parked Illegally on Runnymede Rd.
Runnymede and Annette, Toronto, ON
Parked illegally in front of of the convenience store. Plenty of legal parking available nearby, but driver is too lazy.
ASBB 891 - Convenience parking
Runnymede and Annette, Toronto, ON
Typical scene....driver parking illegally in the bike lane in front of convenience store.
WN 4ME = Loser leafs fan in bike lane
Runnymede and Annette, Toronto, ON
Illegally parking your crappy caravan with Leafs vanity plates won't help your favourite team win.





















































