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If you build it, they will come.

Though that Kevin Costner baseball movie catch-phrase has seen more than its share of application since the late '80s film hit the silver screen, a plan to expand bike lanes in Etobicoke can be held accountable for its latest resurrection.

On Monday, the city's public works and infrastructure committee discussed a plan for the expansion of five bike lane routes - three in Etobicoke, two in Scarborough - that will help connect the city's existing bicycle networks.

According to city officials, two more phases of bicycle lane approvals are expected before the year's end with 90 kilometres and 100 kilometres in the works for 2009.

Despite the fact that some of our local bike lanes aren't used as frequently as those downtown, and the proposed lanes may be in areas currently underused by bicycle enthusiasts, the routes are necessary to link Toronto's bike grid and will spur bike travel in due time.

Ward 3 (Etobicoke Centre) Councillor Doug Holyday spoke to the contrary at Monday's meeting, suggesting the absence of cyclists on seemingly bike-friendly Etobicoke streets will not change with designated lanes.

"I travel Rathburn three or four times a day, I don't see any bikes there," he said, referring to the proposed bike lane route along Renforth Drive from Bloor Street West to Rathburn Road. "There are certain places where bike lanes make sense but not these ones," he said and suggested the money be spent elsewhere.

Though the plan has been sent back to the drawing board for "refinement" due to a safety concern around the Horner Avenue route, council and committee members should keep their eye on its potential when time comes to give it the stamp of approval. The current mindset regarding commuting and affordable and environmentally friendly transportation is changing. Our infrastructure needs to keep pace and change accordingly or we risk trying to playing catch up at a later date when other priorities may be draining the city's coffers.

The bicyclists aren't there yet, but this is one of those projects you take on faith.

This may also be one of those rare opportunities where the city has a chance to identify a future need and provide a solution in a proactive manner. To axe it simply because the need isn't currently obvious would be a shame and a mistake - one future planners will no doubt be scrambling to fix after the fact.