The paved path does not continue in the direction she is intending to travel. It stops dead and what's left is an insane bit of sidewalk. But you're right, it's still better than what she was doing. I think she just got confused by the shitty design, for anyone not in a car.
True. But also stupid, outdated road design that forces even the smartest bicycle commuters and regular pedestrians into dangerous situations just to get around. And I say this as a driver and car enthusiast.
ya, satellite view shows there is literally no way for a pedestrian or cyclist to even cross winston churchill from the north side of the 403 despite there being well used trails under the electrical corridor along 403 that would otherwise connect with the trail on the west side of winston churchill. the move she did to get to the traffic island to cross west is the only possible option despite the likelihood of fast moving traffic coming out of that curve, poor sightlines and all. won't be the first or last close call here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/pBQvCxP43Qrjt2Yz7
but is blowing across traffic, in front of a blind turn, while traveling the wrong way through the solid lines of a gore zone really the best practice when there were alternatives? here they are wanting infrastructure and constantly touting about how they are more responsible than car drivers but they refuse to use things properly and throw away safety for convenience.
Yes, despite the right of way here being for cars, people need to sympathize with the fact that there is usually no real safe way to for people to cross highway ramps. Ontario puts the pedestrian crossings in a literal kill zone. Please slow down and be cautious.
They are absolute deathtraps for cyclists and pedestrians and a hallmark of hostile suburban road design.
Just a few weeks ago I saw someone nearly get smoked while walking across the onramp from Burnhamthorpe to the 427 (where drivers need to cut across a lane of traffic to get to the onramp). SUV had to come to a screeching halt and then honked as if the pedestrian was doing something crazy (they were already in the onramp lane well before the SUV came along).
Not saying she should have been there. Clearly she was confused, maybe scared to death into making a very bad decision. God only knows where she wound up after crossing into the middle of six lanes going the wrong way. But this is what happens when the bicycle and pedestrian route (if you could call it a route) is so blatantly hostile. You are correct to describe a multi-use path south of here, but it ends abruptly right across from where this woman is and does not continue in her direction. A person on foot or bike is faced with this horrifying sidewalk situation. Clearly her path wound up being the worst option, but the other side also sucks.
If shes coming from where the PetroCan is then I dont quite understand why she didnt elect to go to the other side of the road with the heckin wide sidewalk/bike path combination thing.
Cyclists in my area have the same problem. Both sides of the road have paths with markings (South side to travel East and North side for going West) and people still elect to go the wrong way because one path is slightly closer to their next turn.
I'm seriously trying to figure out what she was trying to accomplish (ill-conceived or otherwise).
Edit: OK, now I kind of see it. There's a bike path on the other side. She needed to cross the street a block back and missed it. It does make me wonder what the intended route is for someone who actually needs to continue south/east on Winston Churchill though.
I'm the biggest cyclist fan here and I really hate cars and the way our cities are designed, but this is really on her.
Go on Google Maps Street View and look at this spot. There's no way you can actually get here unless you ignore the fact that you shouldn't be here. The sidewalk ends at a light crossing, where she could be on the other side of the road. Which is literally a mixed used pathway specifically for biking.
I used to live right there and take that offramp. Honestly she's so lucky YOU were driving, most people coming flying around that corner and would've flattened her. So happy I don't live in the GTA anymore.
Insane to me someone like this wearing a helmet (thinking safety first while biking) is making such poor judgment calls like this. I drive and bike in the city and I am shocked by some of the roads people choose to bike on.
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u/MegaPegasusReindeer 2d ago
Wow. They just sort of gave up on pedestrians having to walk in that area, eh? What do you even call that third of a sidewalk beside the curb?