Toronto’s traffic is famously terrible, but an Australian IndyCar driver got fed up and decided to use a faster way that readers of this site know well: two wheels.
Ontario’s capital is hosting the annual Honda Indy in the west part of the city, and Lochie Hughes was making his way to the press conference when he was stuck in the notorious gridlock.
Ditch the car, grab a bike share
“So, I got stuck in traffic as well, so I actually rented a bike to get here on time and then I ran the rest of the way,” Hughes said on Thursday. Hughes enjoyed the commute, which goes by Lake Ontario, and liked seeing Torontonians at the beach or playing tennis, generally enjoying the sunny summer weather. It’s winter in Oz, so he appreciated the sights.
“It is cool to just be outside along the water there. Yeah, that reminds me a little of back home in Australia,” he said.
Australian IndyCar driver Lochie Hughes, who is in Toronto to compete in the Honda Indy this weekend, almost missed a pre-race press conference at Exhibition Place on Thursday because of the city’s infamous gridlock.https://t.co/7lmAT5lt22 pic.twitter.com/oYbNOvFmI6
— Now Toronto (@nowtoronto) July 18, 2024
Another thing he liked was his accommodations, mentioning that his hotel had Smarties, which brought back memories of his homeland.
Toronto’s brutal traffic
Traffic in Toronto has become increasingly worse over the years. A survey by the Toronto Region Board of Trade revealed that a majority of Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) residents see a traffic and congestion crisis, with some considering relocation.
86 per cent of respondents acknowledge the crisis, and 85 per cent believe it negatively impacts the GTA economy. Additionally, 63 per cent say traffic issues affect their households and report frequent lateness due to congestion. The main problem cited is extended and unpredictable journey times. The 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard ranks Toronto as the 17th most congested city globally, with Montreal at 30th, making them the top two most congested cities in Canada.
“When asked about support in their local neighbourhoods, responses were nearly identical. Other strategies garnering support include reducing on-street parking and opening additional lanes for traffic or public transit (62 per cent),” Martin Hrobsky, vice president of Ipsos Canada, wrote. “Half of the residents support restricting retail and restaurant…
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