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Issue # 100
December 2004 |
Welcome to the 100th issue of Cyclometer!
A big thanks to subscribers and contributors who have helped since the very first issue way back on November 24, 1989. Rudy Limeback, a member of the Toronto City Cycling Committee in 1989, was the first Editor and driving force behind the creation of Cyclometer. Then Councillor Marilyn Churley was the chairperson of the Toronto City Cycling Committee in 1989.
Here's a quick sampling of the issues of that day:
- Bill 219 received Royal Assent in the Provincial Legislature on October 16, 1989, requiring cyclists to identify themselves to police officers when stopped for traffic violations and making legal an alternate right turn signal.
- the City Cycling Committee expressed concern about the deterioration of the Martin Goodman bike path through the Harbourfront area and requested improvements
- Reinforce your U-lock due to newspaper stories and tv spots announcing that bicycle thieves had found a method of breaking the supposedly foolproof U-Lock
- Then Mayor Art Eggleton requests a report on the feasibility and cost of declaring Bay Street from Bloor to Front an "Urban Clearway."
- Bike to Work Day success in 1989 leads to plans for Bike to Work Week, June 10 - 15, 1990.
Now, as then, Cyclometer is a good resource to chronicle 'how far we've come, how fast we're going, and maybe how much pedalling we have yet to do'. So help increase the subscription base for Cyclometer by spreading the word to other cyclists and find a way to get involved. Your support is important!
CONTENTS:
1) Reconstructed College Street Bike Lane
Lane markings have recently been installed on some newly-re-constructed sections of College Street. The bike lane markings are extra wide, and new parking bays should reduce illegal parking near the intersections. Where the bike lane was previously interrupted, it is now continuous, thanks to a re-alignment of the TTC streetcar tracks. Between Bathurst and Spadina, users should be aware of a temporary condition in the westbound bike lane (north side of College), where the curb protrudes into the bike lane just east of Brunswick. An access cover for a vault containing Bell Canada equipment is located on the new curb line. Since the roadbed was lowered slightly, the access cover now sits above the surface of the road, level with the sidewalk. This will be rectified as soon as Bell Canada is able to lower the ceiling of the vault.
2) Use a New Bike Locker for Free
Within the first few weeks of December, Transportation Services will be setting up twelve bicycle lockers near the rear entrance to City Hall. We have purchased three different kinds of lockers, and are planning a product evaluation and comparison. The results will help us decide which kind of locker we should purchase in future, for a larger-scale project that will see bicycle lockers made available for rental at key locations across the City. We are looking for volunteers who intend to commute by bicycle to the City Hall area throughout the winter, and who would be willing to provide feedback. Each volunteer will be given a key to one locker and asked to use it for a period of several weeks. At the end of this period, the volunteers will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and will be assigned to a different type of locker for a subsequent period. This process will be repeated until all volunteers have tried all three locker models and provided comments on each. Please contact David Tomlinson by e-mail dtomlin@toronto.ca or at tel.: 416 392-8400 if you are interested in participating, or if you would like more information.
3) Toronto Leads North America in Bike Racks!
As of the end of this year, the City of Toronto has installed a total of 14,500 bike racks across the City with 1,700 units installed in 2004 alone. We are well ahead of the City of Chicago (total 10,000), the City of New York (total 2,600) and Washington D.C. (total 2,500)! There's always room for more though, so if you know of a location in need of bike parking call 416-392-7711 or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/postandring/ and download a bike rack request form.
4) It's Coming...The Inaugural 2005 Toronto Cycling Guide!
Overdrive (Design Limited) is extremely pleased and excited to be involved with the design and production of the Toronto City Cycling Guide for 2005. The project is intended to raise the general awareness of cycling as an alternative to the automobile, tap into the large number of "cyclists" that are currently not using their bicycles as much as they could, providing useful tools for cyclists and speaking about cycling safety issues.
The project involves a fully integrated campaign employing the use of outdoor advertising, newspaper advertising, web based initiatives and finally the design and production of the City's first comprehensive "Cycling Guide" that will be available through various venues such as cycling shops, City run recreation facilities, events and by request.
The project is being spearheaded by The City of Toronto and Overdrive. Overdrive is a full service communications and design firm incorporated in 1986. The company provides a "one stop shop" approach for communication strategy, branding, interactive and print initiatives and has assembled a strong team of highly qualified partners around itself to flesh out capabilities. The partners are Top Drawer Creative (media consultants and revenue generation), The FSA Group (distribution), Davidson Communications (PR and revenue generation) and Pentamark Communications (print production).
5) 67 BUGs Across the City
As 2004 comes to a close, the Bicycle User Group Network edges closer to its goals. This year has been great for the network. We have seen an overall increase in interest in the program. Many of the individual BUGs have become quite active in the community by working to get bike lanes or taking part in City programs like Bike Week and the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. The fall saw in 3 new BUGS register with the network bringing the total up to 67 groups. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome these new BUGs:
777 Bay St. BUG
With a large number of staff at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing already cycling to work regularly, this group is well on its way to being an active and successful BUG. They are preparing their own Bike Plan that will be presented to building management to request improvements in cycling facilities and policies at their location.
Riders of Union Station (RUSH) BUG
Several citizens have formed a group that is interested in incorporating bicycle facilities and policies into the redevelopment of Union Station.
St. Clair West BUG
A group of 25 commuters have started a group in the St. Clair West neighbourhood to become involved in the St. Clair transit right-of-way design consultation process. They are also interested in identifying problem spots for cyclists on and around St. Clair Ave. as well as lobbying for changes to signage or road infrastructure that would make cycling safer and more enjoyable.
www.toronto.ca/bug/index.htm
6) Bike Week: Looking Back...and Ahead
What is it about December that makes us look back? Here at the Bike Week office, the staff has been busy assessing and evaluating what we did in 2004. This was a banner year for cycling in Toronto. The 15th Annual Group Commute and Pancake Breakfast was the biggest one ever held. We did a little digging through the archives recently and discovered that the Group Commute, in its current form, building steadily for 11 years now.
It is also a good time to start thinking about 2005. Our archiving also turned up a comprehensive guide to planning and promoting a Bike Week event. Check the web site in the coming weeks for this invaluable resource. The web site will also be updated with forms to register your event or volunteer during Bike Week. Starting in the New Year we will be soliciting new events for next year's calendar. Keep checking the web site for updates.
Happy Holiday Cycling. www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/
7) 2005 Calendar in Memory of Tooker Gomberg
A Network of cycling and recycling advocates (15 non-profits from US and Canada) has published the Cycle and Recycle wall calendar, reusable in the years 2011 and 2022, when the 2005 calendar comes around again. The 2005 calendar is dedicated to our lost hero Tooker Gomberg, featuring artwork by Ontario's own Anne Hansen. The calendar also has great photos, art and information from all over the world. The Toronto Public Space Committee is selling the calendars for $15. Proceeds from this project go to the Toronto Public Space Committee and the Tooker Gomberg Activist Fund. Visit: www.publicspace.ca/2005calendar.htm
8) Women's Health Matters Forum - Jan. 14th and 15th
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women instructors will be doing a CAN-BIKE demo at the Women's Health Matters forum on January 14 and 15 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Stop by to pick up information and to learn more about the program.
The City has expanded its offering of CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women courses in 2005. Why? Concerns about safety are a key impediment to women cyclists. In fact, studies show that many women are only comfortable cycling on bike paths or trails. Men are much more likely to be utilitarian cyclists than women, and women are more likely to be non-cyclists then men.
The City's adult learn to ride program is attracting a lot of women who are learning to ride a bike for the first time. However, for women cyclists who want to overcome the barriers to more frequent bicycle use - the Cycling Freedom for Women course is a great resource. A course for women taught by women instructors, the course offers an opportunity to learn new skills while brainstorming solutions to the barriers that you face. Registration for the 2005 CAN-BIKE courses will start on Feb. 15th. See a complete schedule of courses or call 416-392-1311.
9) Ahead in the Bike Lane
No meetings
The City has a vision for cycling in Toronto and wants you involved in making it happen. Cyclometer is a subscription service of the City of Toronto.
The first issue of Cyclometer went out on November 24, 1989. Now, as then, we hope that, like its namesake, Cyclometer will show you how far we've come, how fast we're going, and maybe how much pedalling we have yet to do. So get on board and get involved. Your support is important.
Please take the time to forward this issue of Cycling News! to a fellow cyclist who may be interested.
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