Is it OK to run in the bike lane?

Have you ever been out for a run and found yourself constantly dodging pedestrians on the sidewalk? This is a common struggle for many Canadian runners living in urban environments. In their quest for space, runners often resort to bike lanes, which sometimes causes frustration among cyclists. But can we really blame them?

To get a clearer picture of this issue, on Weednesday, we took to Toronto’s busy streets to ask cyclists their thoughts about people running in bike lanes.

Bike rage incoming

By opting to run in city bike lanes, runners risk obstructing the lanes for cyclists, and also becoming a target for “cyclist aggression.” While this anger may seem unfair to observers, many argue it’s understandable, since the lanes are specifically designated for bicycles.

The cyclists we interviewed had diverse opinions on the topic, but one thing they did agree on was the complex dilemma runners are faced with: if not the bike lane, then where?

Lack of “runnability”

The question we should be asking isn’t where runners should go, but who is responsible. Canadian urban planners, it’s time to step up. Running has seen a significant surge in popularity among Canadians, particularly post-pandemic. However, city planners appear slow to adapt to this trend and the varied needs of Canadian residents by offering adequate space for runners in urban environments.

Despite Toronto ranking as the third most walkable city in Canada according to Evergreen (behind Vancouver and Montreal) there has been little research and planning into its “runnability” (the ability to safely run within a reasonable distance from one’s home). Yet, the city has plenty of designated spaces for cars, bicycles, in-line skaters, strollers, wheelchairs, and pedestrians. Without their own designated space, runners in Toronto are stuck choosing one of four options: to endure sidewalk congestion, commute to a trail outside of their neighbourhood, stop running altogether, or run in a bike lane.

What’s the resolution?

In 2021, urban planners in Surrey, B.C., developed a preliminary runnability index, revealing that areas in the downtown core and near high-traffic routes had low runnability, indicating significant room for improvement. In another report, Toronto urban planners suggest the advantages of mapping out runnable routes, arguing that designing runnable neighborhoods would offer residents the freedom to incorporate running into their daily commutes, just as cyclists do.

Running, like walking and cycling, is a crucial component for urban planners to consider in creating a sustainable city, and it needs to be part of public health discussions. By prioritizing the creation of designated spaces for runners, urban planners can contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community.

posted Saturday May 18th