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Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Listening to Toronto
A few spaces are still available for the "Listening to Toronto" sessions hosted by Mayor David Miller and Toronto City Council.
People from across the city are invited to attend upcoming discussions to help shape Toronto's budget debate and help answer these questions:
- What makes Toronto great?
- What challenges are we facing?
- What advice would you offer the City as it considers its 2004 Budget?
Instead of traditional budget meetings where people line up at a microphone to make presentations, these sessions will include facilitated table discussions where participants can talk about city issues with each other.
User-friendly materials will make it easy for the public to participate in these sessions. If you can't attend any session, you can still let Council know what you think by answering the session questions posted on the City's website (www.toronto.ca/listeningtotoronto). Input will be used to help City Council make decisions during their budget deliberations. Participants will receive a summary of public input which will also be incorporated in the Mayor's report with the budget presentation on January 30, 2004.
Space is limited. Participants must pre-register. Registration will also help us to respond to additional needs you may have. All sessions are accessible and sign language interpreters will be available.
You can register yourself by calling Access Toronto at 416-338-0338. Detailed information on City services and the budget process is available on the City's website (www.toronto.ca).
Don't miss this opportunity to participate in municipal decision-making.
Listening to Toronto session locations, dates and times.
Monday January 19
Elmbank Community Centre
10 Rampart Road
6:45 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Toronto East
Tuesday January 20
L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre
2000 McNicoll
6:45 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Toronto South
Wednesday January 21
St Lawrence Market North
92 Front Street East
6:45 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Toronto East
Saturday January 24
Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive
8:45 a.m. - noon
2) Flashing Bike Lights - what's legal
Toronto's most frequent type of car/bike collision in winter occurs when a driver makes a left turn across the path of an on-coming cyclist. Darkness is often a factor in such crashes, suggesting that drivers' ability to detect approaching cyclists (or to properly judge their speed) can be a problem. Cyclists can reduce the risk of such collisions by wearing bright, reflective clothing and using a headlight in dark conditions. With fewer hours of daylight, commuting in winter requires dependable lights front and back.
For more information, go to http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/publications/bicycle_motor-vehicle/index.htm
Flashing white front lights and flashing rear red lights are popular with cyclists. We checked with the Ministry of Transportation to find out whether these lights are legal under the Highway Traffic Act. Good news. While the flashing white light may not illuminate your path as well as a static white light - they will catch the eye of motorists. And the red rear flashing lights do the same. And they are acceptable under the Highway Traffic Act.
Only emergency vehicles can have red flashing lights at the front of vehicles.
3) Bike Week
The new 2004 Bike Week Event Registration forms are hot off the presses. You can pick them up at Bike Stores, Community Centres and Libraries by the end of the month. So pick up a form and check the website for more information at http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikeweek/index.htm. Remember, the deadline for event registration is NOON FRIDAY, MARCH 26th, 2004.
4. Winter Cycling Tips
Here are some tips for winter cyclists:
- Lessen tire pressure to the low end of recommended range (written on tire sidewall) to increase traction.
- Adjust your fenders, if necessary, so that there is lots of room between the fender and tire to avoid snow build up.
- Clips are not recommended in snowy or icy conditions; you may have to put your feet down in a hurry.
For more, go to http://www.toronto.ca/bug/cold_weather.htm.
5. Toronto Cycling Committee meeting update
The Toronto Cycling Committee will not be meeting in January 2004. After each election, City Council has to re-establish special committees and is in the process of doing that now. There is a report from Mayor Miller which recommends that the Toronto Cycling Committee be re-established. That report goes to the City Council meeting of January 27, 28 and 29, 2004 for approval. Look for information about 2004 meeting dates in the next issue of Cyclometer.
6. 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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