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Issue # 94
June 2004 |
Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Bike Week 2004 - Pedalling your influence in style
Thanks to the thousands of cyclists and hundreds of Bike Week event organizers who celebrated cycling spectacularly during this year's Bike Week. A special note of appreciation for the extraordinary talents of Aron Dunn, Bike Week Facilitator and Sean Wheldrake, Bicycle Promotions Co-ordinator for their efforts in planning and delivering an exciting smorgasbord of events. Look for a Bike Week review in a coming issue of Cyclometer.
2) Police Cycle Right enforcement campaign June 7 - 20, 2004
On Monday June 7th, 2004, the Toronto Police Service will be pedaling in "CYCLE RIGHT": a two-week campaign designed to reduce the potential for cycling related injuries, through awareness, education and enforcement. Officers will target drivers who endanger cyclist's lives with their driving actions, vehicles parking in designated bike lanes, and to cyclists who compromise the safety of others using the roads and sidewalks by disobeying the rules of the road. Police will present the results of the Cycle Right Campaign at the July 12th meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee.
3) Toronto Cycling Committee members appointed
We welcome 15 members of the Toronto Cycling Committee who were appointed at a Toronto City Council meeting in May. In addition, six representatives from outside organizations are also voting members of the Cycling Committee. We welcome the following individuals who will represent the interests of cyclists on the Cycling Committee until November 20, 2006 or until their successors are appointed:
Dr. Judy Adler
Mr. Craig Barnes
Mr. Steve Crossman
Mr. Pino Di Mascio
Mr. Herschel Fogelman
Ms. Nancy Grieveson
Mr. Justin Lafontaine
Ms. Daya Lye
Mr. Clay McFayden
Ms. Jennifer E. McMartin
Ms. Brigitte Nowak
Mr. Michael Paulin
Ms. Nikki Rendle
Mr. Rob Rogers
Mr. Ian Thomson
Representing:
Toronto District School Board; - Mr. John Sherk
Toronto Catholic District School Board; - Mr. Crawford Murphy
Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists (ARC); Mr. Levi Waldron
Toronto Pedestrian Committee; Mr. Richard Nelson
Community Bicycle Network; Mr. Brent Marshall/Mr. Timothy Ellis
Toronto Bicycling Network; Mr. Martin Koob
4) Community Bicycle Festival - Saturday June 19, 2004
A series of Community Bicycle Festivals will showcase the Bike Plan throughout June and July. The festivals will present something for the whole family from free bike checks and demonstrations, to great food and music. Come out and have your say about the Toronto Bike Plan, which makes 49 recommendations for "shifting gears" towards a more bicycle friendly City. These recommendations include everything from small scale cycling improvements, to safety programs, secure bicycle parking, more efficient links with transit and an ambitious 1,000 kilometre Bikeway Network that will ultimately link cyclists with neighbourhoods and destinations across the city. When completed, every Toronto resident will be within a five-minute bicycle ride to the nearest bikeway.
There are a total of four festivals taking place here in Toronto:
Saturday, June 19, 2004 East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 1, 2004 Thomson Memorial Park, Brimley Road & Lawrence Avenue East
Saturday, July 17, 2004 Colonel Sam Smith Park, Kipling Avenue & Lakeshore Avenue West
5) Invitation: An Evening with Prof. John Pucher, Rutgers University - June 15,
2004
Since 1983, Professor Pucher has been analyzing transport and land-use policies in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Currently, his research focuses on walking
and bicycling, and in particular, how North American cities could learn
from European policies to improve the safety, convenience, and feasibility
of these non-motorized modes in Canada and the United States.
Professor Pucher will present his new comparative research of active transportation
trends in Germany, the Netherlands and North America and its relation to
public health. This 45-minute presentation will be followed by a question, answer and
discussion period with the audience.
Community Bicycle Network Speaker Series
Tuesday June 15, 2004, C'est What Pub & Restaurant,
67 Front St. East, Toronto, 6:00 PM
Free event, open to the public
Visit the Community Bicycle Network website.
6) Municipal Standards Officers turn to bikes
The Municipal Licensing and Standards Division of Urban Development Services has launched its Officer Bicycle Program. The program will see Municipal Standards Officers - responsible for enforcing various bylaws around the city - using bicycles, rather than motor vehicles, while on duty.
"The driving force behind the program is the City's commitment to exploring service delivery alternatives and promoting environmentally friendly and efficient transportation," said Paula Dill, Commissioner of Urban Development Services. "The use of bicycles brings numerous health, environmental, and financial benefits, in addition to ease of parking," she added. "It is also a way for UDS to support the City of Toronto's Green Fleet and Smog Reduction initiatives."
Other City departments and agencies, such as Toronto Police Services, have had great success with similar programs. UDS expects 10 Officers to take part this year, and is looking to expand this program in the future. All Officers have completed CAN-BIKE 2 training offered through the City's Fleet Services Training Program.
7) One-Tonne Challenge - Sign up on Climate Change web site
As cyclists, we are very aware of air quality issues. Here's a website that encourages environmental action. Visit the One-Tonne Challenge web pages to find out what you and your neighbours/friends/family/work colleagues can do to reduce GHG emissions and learn how to use less energy, save money, improve air quality and protect our environment.
The One-Tonne challenge asks you to reduce your annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by one tonne. The average Canadian produces five tonnes of GHGs each year so one tonne is a reduction of about 20 per cent. To register for the One-Tonne Challenge and to get more information, go to the Government of Canada Climate Change website.
8) Smog Summit 2004 - Monday, June 21, 2004
Metro Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 55 John Street, Toronto, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join federal, provincial, and municipal representatives and hear about air quality initiatives taking place in the GTA. Take part in an interactive dialogue about what government and industry leaders are doing to clean the air and how we can do our part. Visit over 50 indoor and outdoor displays of leaders in the field of the natural and built environment. Attendance is FREE, but seating is limited. For more information call the Clean Air Partnership at 416-392-6672.
9) Sheppard Avenue East bike lanes update and construction alert
All the signage and paint markings (diamonds and bike symbols) are now in place from Morningside Avenue easterly to Kingston Road/Port Union Road. Cyclists should watch for construction vehicles and mud on the road between Conlins Road and Dean Park Avenue due to the Mattamy Rouge subdivision construction.
10) CAN-BIKE courses
Want to maximize your cycling experience? Consider taking a CAN-BIKE course.
You'll have the fun of meeting and learning with other cyclists who share your
active lifestyle. Tips on route planning, using your gears so they work for you,
collision avoidance techniques, how to handle rain, street car tracks, smog and
construction all make CAN-BIKE a good investment. Check Ahead in the Bike Lane
for course information or call 416-392-1311.
11) Subcommittee meetings cancelled in June
All Toronto Cycling Committee subcommittee meetings have been cancelled for the
month of June. The full Committee meets on Monday June 14th. See ahead in the
Bike Lane for details.
12) Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, June 14, 2004, City Hall Cttee Rm # 1, 7 p.m.
Community Bicycle Network Speaker Series - Prof. John Pucher
Tuesday June 15, 2004, C'est What Pub & Restaurant, 67 Front St. East, Toronto 6:00 PM
Community Bicycle Festival
Saturday, June 19, 2004 East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Smog Summit 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004, Metro Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 55 John Street, Toronto, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Communications and Promotions Subcommittee
June meeting CANCELLED.
Education and Safety Subcommittee
June meeting CANCELLED.
Road and Trails Subcommittee
June meeting CANCELLED.
CAN-BIKE courses:
Call 416-338-0000 to register for CAN-BIKE courses
CAN-BIKE 1 (ages 14+) $75/2wks Sa/Su:
Starts on June 12, 9am-4pm(#847421) Centennial RC East, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Saturday June 12, 9am-12noon(#893801) or 1-4pm(#840336) Oriole CC, 2975 Don Mills Rd.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Sunday June 13, 10am-1pm(#895903)North Toronto Memorial CC, 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Saturday June 19, 9am-12noon(#896887) or 1-4pm(#896814) Cummer Park CC., 6000 Leslie St.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Sunday June 20, 10am-1pm(#895902)North Toronto Memorial CC, 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Sunday June 20, 1:30-4:30pm(#895908) North Toronto Memorial CC, 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Sunday June 20, 9am-12noon(#838231) or 1-4pm(#838230) Agincourt RC, 31 Glen Watford Dr.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2 (ages 14+) $50/1 day:
Sunday June 27, 9am-12noon(#885704) or 1-4pm(#885701) Birchmount CC.
93 Birchmount Rd.
CAN-BIKE 2 (ages 14+) $100/2 wks Wed/Su:
Starts on Wednesday July 7, 6 pm - 9 pm (#896927) Allan Lamport Stadium, 1155 King St. West
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.
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