Bike to Work During the Summer!
By Penny on Jul 23, 2014
Some might argue that the best part of living in the city (especially in the summer) is having access to convenient bike lanes. Thanks to these masterfully planned routes, work is just a spin around the corner, making urban living exactly what it should be.
The facts
According to bikeradar.com, cycling to work isn’t just the latest trend, it can actually help to improve health and energy while reducing costs of annual travelling. Studies from Loughborough University reveal that after just thirty minutes of cycling, you could be burning a higher amount of calories even hours after you stop (imagine, you could be burning calories through lunch!)
Three popular bike lanes in Toronto are on Gerrard Street, Sherbourne (which extends all the way to Bloor) and Shaw Street (which features a unique, contra-flow bike lane). Knowing this, potential buyers should definitely check out the following condo developments:
Located at Yonge and College, this condo has a plethora of amenities and conveniences nearby. Designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects, residents can expect the utmost luxury; like a rare $5 million pool located 66 floors above ground. Available penthouse suites on the 59th to 64th floors provide the ultimate panoramic views from gorgeous wrap around balconies. What’s in the area? Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe or shopping at the renowned Toronto Eaton Centre, the Gerrard bike lane will facilitate your needs, but in case the you’re feeling slightly out of tune, you can always hop on the TTC, which is within walking distance.
You can always rent a bike on a beautiful day! - Bixi is now known as Bike Share Toronto.
Sherbourne and Selby by Cityzen
Currently in the preconstruction phase, the residences will rise from the Gooderham Mansion’s heritage building. Revitalizing the community with a contemporary twist, this Cityzen development is designed around the 130 year old Victorian mansion on Sherbourne Street, which was once home to Pulitzer Prize-winning Ernest Hemingway, who lived there while he worked for the Toronto Star! Whether he rode a bike to work or not remains unknown, but you sure can; Sherbourne was the city’s first separated bike lane to open, costing $2.5 million to extend from King Street to Bloor.
Shaw Street bike lane
This bike lane is unique in Toronto because it provides cyclists with the possibility of safely riding against the flow of traffic, thus, enabling an expedient and convenient commute. Most of the necessary amenities are nearby, and having the most advantageous bike lane only makes transportation easier for locals. The installation of the contra-flow bike lane links the neighbourhood to Toronto’s arterial streets like Queen, King, and Front.
Bike lane news
If you regularly commute to and from Bay Street, the frustration of sitting in stagnant traffic for hours is all too familiar. Bike lanes have been installed and should be completed by next year. "This is something that's been in the works for quite a while, actually," says Dan Egan, the city's cycling manager. "It's just that there's been construction happening ... it's part of an ongoing process to get Bay Street designated as a [bike] route all the way down."
Remember, bike lanes are there to protect cyclists and facilitate transportation while reducing pollution and road congestion. The best way to maximize their efficacy is to know how to use them and abide by the rules of the road, for more information on road signs and bylaws click here.
