Toronto Council meets today! Virtually! Mayor John Tory has designated the ActiveTO bike plan as his first key matter, so it should be up for debate first, followed by the Housing Now item.

Meeting will stream live here at 9:30 a.m.

In contrast to Bloor-Yorkville BIA and Greektown BIA, the Danforth Mosaic BIA ( @TheDannyBIA) has written in support of the bike plan. “Making it easy for people to get to businesses by bike will be a key component of our economic recovery” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102884.pdf (PDF)

Also in support: the Bloor Annex BIA. “Given our recent experience with bike lanes we hope you will consider our opinion that cycling has brought a net economic benefit and green future to our main street.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102876.pdf (PDF)

Sinai Health President & CEO Gary Newton has also written in support of the bike plan, which calls for lanes through Hospital Row on University Ave. He notes in 2017 Sinai surveyed their employees and found 63% (!!) said they cycle to work. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102809.pdf (PDF)

The Broadview Danforth BIA isn’t enthusiastic, on the other hand. They’re disappointed the bike plan was announced “without first consulting the BIAs being impacted.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102808.pdf (PDF)

“Vehemently opposed” to the Danforth installation: the Playter Area Residents’ Association, or PARA, who are worried about traffic impacts and losing parking spaces. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102780.pdf (PDF)

Notables offering letters of support: @CycleToronto, Bloor East Neighbourhood Association, @32Spokes, @CorktownTO, @baycloverhill, @the_workaround, Morning Parade Coffee Bar, @DECAdiaries, @ClimateFast, UofT student union & 1,169+ names on a form letter.

Council begins! It’s Mayor John Tory’s birthday, the speaker notes. He gets no cake, but he does to spend the entire day at this virtual meeting, which is almost as good.

Nunziata announces changes to the voting process! Hooray! Votes will be by a show of hands, unless someone requests a recorded vote, in which cases names will be read alphabetically and each councillor will state their vote.

Other observations: Paul Ainslie appears to be outside. Denzil Minnan-Wong seems to be letting us see his actual office background, instead of a virtual thing. There is now a speaker timer box, with the name “Timer Timer.”

Our first show-of-hands vote. Lots of hands!

Another Danforth business has written in support of Danforth bike lanes: @HollandaiseTO. “If there was more safe space to walk or bike, I do believe businesses like us will see an increase in walk in pick up orders.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102889.pdf (PDF)

Preliminaries out of the way, Council is on the ActiveTO cycling network plan. You can watch live with 405 others right here:

Councillor Jennifer McKelvie’s backdrop today features Baby Yoda.

Councillor Josh Matlow moves for a study on extending the University Avenue bike lane under the ActiveTO plan north, all the way to Eglinton Avenue.

Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to cancel the entire ActiveTO bike plan and instead allow free parking on Bloor and Danforth, with some expanded patio space.

“No matter what you say about the math and the numbers, there are going to be A LOT more drivers that are going to suffer enormously because of this, as opposed to any uptick in cycling,” argues Councillor Holyday.

Fletcher asks Holyday if he’s aware that the city isn’t really enforcing paid parking right now anyway. Holyday says declaring free parking would be “symbolism” that would encourage people to go to restaurants and businesses.

A series of subtle clues lead me to conclude that Councillor Brad Bradford enjoys cycling.

Councillor Mike Colle moves for a report on making free bikes available to people in low-income neighbourhoods, with a private sector partner picking up the cost.

Yeah, this feels like the easiest way to do it. Accelerate Bike Share station expansion, offer discounted/free memberships. (And extend the trip time from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.) https://twitter.com/benwedge/status/1266033878885597186

Councillor Paula Fletcher moves a bunch of motions. Wants the Danforth project to include patios/seating areas, space for loading zones, Green P parking and bike parking, etc.

Fletcher also moves to extend the area of the ActiveTO weekend road closure on Lake Shore East, so it goes from Coxwell to Leslie.

Councillor Jennifer McKelvie moves to request prov and fed funding for the Ravine Strategy and Meadoway project and speed up trail construction, recognizing that ravines and trails are important part of the active transportation network.

Councillor John Filion moves to have staff explore ways to make use of the curb lane on Yonge Street between Sheppard and Finch to create space for pedestrians and support local biz.

Yonge between Sheppard and Finch was part of the Transform Yonge plan, which would have added space for pedestrians and cyclists. Mayor John Tory opposed it back in 2018 and Council sent it back for more study. Filion says new TransformYonge report will come in the fall.

As is customary for these kinds of debates, Councillor Jim Karygiannis moves for a report on a bike registration system.

The City of Toronto maintains a webpage explaining why bike licensing and registration is a bad idea. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/cycling-and-the-law/bicycle-licencing/

Councillor Mike Layton beard watch. I think he should keep it.

As some councillors struggle with virtual meeting procedure, Councillor Joe Cressy gives us a pretty epic facepalm.

Pasternak calls out Cressy’s facepalming. (“You have a headache there, Joe?”) Mayor John Tory finds this VERY funny. Virtual Council!

Council’s on break for lunch until 1:30. When we come back, we’ll hear from councillors Bailao, Ford and Perruzza. Get hyped.