There has been a lot of media coverage about the perceived conflict between cyclists and pedestrians in High Park, along with the heavy handed tactics of the police in addressing the behaviour of cyclists in High Park. There were a steady drumbeat of unfortunate incidents in the last couple of weeks including:
- On July 26 John Tory says he supports the police targeting cyclists in High Park.
- On July 29 a BIPOC cyclist was harassed by a plain clothed officer in the park.
- On Aug 1 a cyclist was chased and hit off her bike by a man fed up with cyclists; it is alleged that he is an off duty TPS officer. Police were called to the incident, but no action was taken.
- On Aug 2 a TPS officer was ticketing cyclists for not stopping at stop signs in the park when he himself failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a cyclist, damaging his bike.
Media coverage included:
- June 21: (Star): ‘Who is the park for?’: Crackdown on speeding cyclists raises tensions among High Park users
- July 26 (Global): Cyclists being ticketed in High Park as city explores whether to ban cars completely
- July 26: (CTV): Cyclists angry after Toronto officials ticket them for speeding in popular park
- Aug 4 (Toronto Sun): Compromise needed to deal with high-flying cyclists in High Park
- Aug 6: (CBC): Cyclists and pedestrians call for less police enforcement, better travel through High Park
- Aug 10: (Narwhal): Cyclists in High Park are less scary than pedestrian deaths and runaway emissions
- Aug 11: (CTV) Cyclists gather in High Park to protest as Toronto police deny targeting them for ticket blitz
Also, there have been some things to attempt to defuse tensions. The mayor’s office met with Cycle Toronto. In addition, the TPS released some figures about ticketing in High Park in order to show that comparatively few tickets have been issued to cyclists, but the data is muddied by the fact that the data was for High Park and the surrounding area, which presumably would include both Bloor and Parkside. Also their number of 16 cyclist tickets conflicts with the CTV report that 62 tickets were issued in a single week in July.
Added to all of this is the continuing concern about unsafe conditions along Parkside, as well as the city’s survey on a “High Park Movement Strategy”.
Tonight there was a ride for the cycling community to protest some of the actions of the police, and to show that the cycling community is highly engaged on the issue of usage of the park. The crowd assembled near the Bloor entrance to the park.
David Shellnut gets things organized.
Hizzoner, Lanrick Jr. Bennett, the bicycle mayor of Toronto.
This fellow was yelling about how inconsiderate cyclists were in the park.
That is a lot of cyclists.
Getting ready to go.
And we’re off.
Hard to keep to under 20 kph on this downhill section.
Up the hill to where the sakura bloom in the spring.
Turning down Centre Rd, after a stop at the stop sign, naturally.
Riding the brakes so as to go the same speed as the TPS officer in our midst.
Regroup at the High Park Blvd gates.
Once again, that is a long line of bikes.
Turning north on Parkside.
Regroup at Howard Park
Mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa was with us.
Now crossing Howard Park
Headed further north towards Bloor.
At Keele and Bloor
Our fearless leader.
Now back on Bloor towards the park entrance.
Signs
Thanks to David and the bike brigade for organizing today’s ride and getting the word out. Thanks to everyone who rode with us in solidarity.
Also nice to see so many of the usual suspects in person, and not on a ghost bike ride.
Remember to express your opinion about High Park movement at the city survey, which is open until August 19. If you want to read more about the issues, Rob covers those on his blog.
Updates:
August 12: Globe and Mail Editorial: “It’s time to get cars out of Toronto’s High Park“
Also, a count done from a video posted by Mike Whitla estimates about 500 cyclists attended.
Aug 14: Star column by Patrick Brown: “Instead of escalating tensions in Toronto’s High Park, we should combat the myths that lead to road fatalities“
Biking in a Big City 
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