I went down to Queens Quay on Sunday to check out progress on the new two-way cycle track. I have to say, this is shaping up to be the best piece of cycling infrastructure in Toronto, and one of the best in Canada.
To get home, I rode along the temporary cycle track and bicycle lanes on Queens Quay East, and was impressed with some aspects:
A loading bay provides a buffer area into which vehicles can be unloaded, with a level path to the sidewalk via a zebra crossing. Able-bodied people also have the option of simply stepping over the granite separator, though in that case they would need to yield to bicycle traffic.
This is an example we can point to in the future, if people claim that cycle tracks create problems for deliveries or accessibility.
The eastbound transition from raised cycle track to on-street bicycle lane is perfectly smooth.
If only we could have this level of quality everywhere a cycle track lowers to street level. Even on this cycle track, most of the transitions had curbs, making for a bumpy ride.