The City of Toronto, along with the Toronto Cyclists Union, is soliciting ideas from west end cyclers, to help deal with "a 'black hole' in the bikeway network in the downtown west-side." The area in question is bounded by Bloor and the Gardiner, from Keele (Parkside) to Bathurst.

It's not often the west end is pointed to as the area in need of development, but due to street car tracks on the east-west arteries, disjointed local streets, and railways, there is a shortage of safe routes for those counting on pedal-power.

I've lived within the boundaries named in this call for submissions less than a year, but I have been struck often by just how many cyclists there are, and been frustrated myself when I want to head out on two wheels without feeling constantly pinched, squeezed or otherwise crushed.

Enter the much-maligned Bike Plan. Despite whatever failings there have been to date, this latest call claims that each submission will be considered, but regardless, if a substantive project can be completed in the 2009-10 target timeframe, it would be a big help to the neighbourhood.

I'm willing to play along; I also won't get my hopes up, lest they get crushed like those dreaming of Annette's bike lanes.

Submissions can come as text or visuals; use a Google map, the bike map, hand drawings or whatever else comes to mind to articulate - in no more than 300 words - a bikeway plan for the area. Submissions are due November 5th.

My first thoughts? Formally join, with bike lanes, the disjointed suggested neighbourhood route that connects Harbord Street with High Park. Ensure bike lanes are a part of the Roncesvalles rebuild. And continue the bike lane on Strachan to Trinity Bellwoods and then on Dundas to Ossington or Dovercourt and up to Bloor.

Full Cycling Map
I Bike TO's Google Map

Photo by blogTO Flickr pooler mishkaoutofcontrol.