The tips and tricks to making biking downtown possible

There is little doubt in my mind that my recent addiction to urban cycling has shaved hours off my mother’s sleep. Indeed, it is common knowledge that riding the streets of downtown Toronto is dangerous- even life threatening. Mayor Rob Ford once compared biking in Toronto to “swimming with the sharks. Sooner or later you’re going to get bitten!” Yet, every morning, hundreds of Torontonians mount their bikes for their daily commutes, and as of last month so have I.

After living in Innis Residence for less than two weeks, it became apparent to me that life could be made much easier with the simple addition of a bicycle. Not only has owning a bike made getting around quicker, it’s also provided an excellent way for exploring the downtown core. I recently have taken a number of study breaks on my bike and have discovered many interesting local public libraries, parks, and beautiful neighborhoods like Little Portugal and Palmerston. For many, however, concerns about safety and theft continue to dissuade them from peddling more often. These fears can be put to rest and I intend to share a few tips I’ve picked up.

Finding your bike lanes

Riding in downtown Toronto doesn’t have to mean being surrounded by cars, weaving through traffic, or having drivers curse at you. Cycling in the city can be done exclusively away from cars in some of the city’s most accessible bike lanes.

For example, traveling west from campus is extremely easy along Harbord Street’s wide bike lanes, which begin in front of Robarts. To the east around Queen’s Park Circle there exists the Wellesley bike lanes, which are completely separated from traffic with concrete curbs. It’s important to remember that busy streets like Spadina, Bay, or even St. George, are not the only ways to travel north and south. If you take the time to find the quieter residential streets that run through campus, you’ll find some pleasant neighbourhoods. Some examples are Devonshire Place and Huron Street.

For those who feel as though they have graduated from bike lanes, they might want to attempt swimming with the sharks on Bloor or Dundas. Although this is not for the faint of heart, I have learned from personal experience that this type of biking is best when it’s not rush hour.

 Don’t make it too easy for them

Another issue Toronto cyclists face is theft. I’m sure that you have passed the occasional lonely bike tire, frame, or seat still locked to a post without the rest of the bike. Over 3,000 bikes were stolen in the city last year according to a Toronto Police Report, so theft is certainly a legitimate concern when locking your bike in the downtown core. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this problem, and in a unique way for Innis students as well.

First of all, buying an inexpensive bike can have its benefits. There are dozens of bike stores in Toronto that offer used bikes for less than $200, and worn tires and peeling paint don’t typically attract the attention of thieves. One area where you shouldn’t cut corners is when it comes to buying a good lock. Cheap U-locks can be easily cracked, while super thin wire locks are easily cut. Spend the money you saved on your bike on a sturdy lock, and this will definitely pay off. A final tip on preventing theft comes from one of the owners of the bike shop Ride Away Bikes on Dundas West. He recommends that you should always lock your bike on busy streets where it’s visible and attach it to a city-owned “ring” bike post where it’s harder for thieves to go unnoticed or spin your bike until the lock cracks.

Innis, thankfully, allows for you to avoid this problem completely. The Innis student bike lock-up is located under the college residence, and a key can be obtained from the front desk. If you’re in the U of T area for a while, this is something you should definitely take advantage of.

Perhaps riding in Toronto is not as impossible as you once thought. The key is to find the locations you like and feel safe riding in, while taking precautions to ensure your bike is actually still there when you return to it. I encourage you to join the growing trend and start peddling around U of T and the downtown core- you’ll likely start to love it.

Featured image courtesy of  Alexander Fernandes