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Issue # 104
April 2005 |
Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) TTC Approves Bicycle Racks on Buses
Curious about you!
The Toronto Transit Commission unanimously approved a bicycle rack on buses pilot project. Councillor Adam Giambrone and the Toronto Cycling Committee worked closely with the TTC to make this project a reality. Selected bus routes will be equipped with bicycle racks for a one-year trial period. The racks have the capacity of carrying two bicycles. The project will begin in late June. We'll keep you updated through Cyclometer and on our website at www.toronto.ca/cycling
2) Cyclists Accommodated During Construction of Leaside Bridge
The Leaside Bridge, which connects Millwood Road to Pape/Donlands Avenues across the Don Valley, is scheduled for rehabilitation. Construction work started in 2004 and will be complete in 2007.
This is an important City bridge in terms of community connections. Originally known as the East York-Leaside Viaduct, the bridge was designed to link the Town of Leaside with the Township of East York and is the key access between the two "halves" of (former) East York, situated on either side of the Don river.
In 1969, the structure was widened from four to six lanes. The original parapets (the concrete walls on the side of the bridge) were removed in the 1969 expansion.
The bridge currently accommodates multiple modes of transportation. It carries a major arterial road, bike lanes, four TTC bus routes, utilities and crosses an expressway, river, railway, and recreational trails.
Preliminary work involving utility companies including Bell Canada, Toronto Hydro and Enbridge to relocate and/or remove their respective plant and conduits commenced in October of 2004 and is expected to be completed early this year.
The main contract should start in May 2005 and the include strengthening of the structural steel superstructure, total concrete deck replacement, substructure repairs, new barrier walls, railings, replacement of the waterproofing and re-paving of the asphalt surface. The existing parapets will be replaced and will include an embossed pattern reminiscent of the original tile design. This final stage of the project should be completed by early 2007.
During certain construction work the traffic in the middle will be delineated with a bicycle lane in each direction, a traffic lane in each direction and a guarded pedestrian way on one side. This procedure will be repeated throughout construction. The marked trails will be maintained through the valley.
City wide construction information can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/involved/projects.htm
3) Toronto Cycling Committee (TCC) Meeting April 18
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Presentation by EcoMupi Containers regarding the proposed design for the EcoMupi containers
- St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvements Class Environmental Assessment Project presentation
- Bike Week 2005 event listings
- Cycling Guide 2005 update
- Safety Campaign - Anti-dooring
- Nomination process for TCC
- Election of Co-Chair
Interested? Come out and join the discussion. See Ahead in the Bike Lane for time and place or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling
4) Bike Week 2005 - May 30 to June 12
The City of Toronto's 16th Annual Bike Week is set to be bigger and better than ever this year, with an event listing of over 120 activities! Thank you to all organizations, community groups, businesses, and individuals who have submitted events for this exciting celebration of cycling culture in Toronto. Look for official Bike Week Calendars in bike shops, community centres, and other bike friendly places at the beginning of May. We will also have a complete event listing available online in a few weeks at www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/. Mark your calendars for the Annual Group Commute, set to take place on Monday, May 30th!
5) BUG Commuter Challenge
The Annual Group Commute BUG Network Challenge is fast approaching! Has your BUG registered for the Commuter Challenge happening on May 30, 2005? If not, contact the Bicycle User Group Network Facilitator at (416) 338-5091, or bugs@toronto.ca. Looking for information on how to become a Bicycle User Group? Check out www.toronto.ca/bug
6) Wheel Safety flyer for Grade 4 students
Toronto Public Health has arranged with the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board to send out its Wheel Safety flyer to all grade 4 students (approximately 27,500 children). This will be done in time for Injury Prevention Week (May 2-9, 2005).
The Wheel Safety flyer includes:
- essential safety equipment to wear for cycling, skateboarding, in-line skating, and scootering
- how to fit a bike helmet
- what children need to be taught in order to ?wheel? safely
- additional resources
Check out the Wheel Safety flyer at the Toronto Public Health Bike and Wheel Safety. For more information, contact Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600.
7) Rail and Road Safety Day - Wednesday May 4
Rail and Road Safety Day will transform Union Station into a giant safety village to teach hundreds of students important rail, road, and water safety messages that could save their lives. Some of the excitement for 800 grade 3 students will include walking inside a GO Transit locomotive and exploring emergency vehicles parked on Front St. The public is welcome to check out the interactive safety sessions scattered throughout Union Station. Join members of the Toronto Area Safety Coalition, including GO Transit and its mascot GO Bear, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, Sunnybrook and Women?s College Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Emergency Medical Services, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, the Ontario Trucking Association, Health Canada, SmartRisk, various public health departments, and more. Road and Trail Safety Day runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Union Station, GO Transit concourse. For further information contact Stephanie Sorensen, 416 869-3600 ext. 5231, or Edmund Shea, 416 869-3600 ext. 5328.
8) Women and Cycling Poster Project
Community Bicycle Network is looking for creative people to submit an art piece for this year's Poster Project theme: Women and Cycling.
Art and Cycling go hand in hand (or shall we say two gears on the same cog?!) - both are about freedom and expression. This year's theme of Women & Cycling was born from the desire to explore the unique and endless means of expression that spring from individuals who make cycling their passion. With a focus on women, this project goes further to create, inspire and challenge perceptions.
Twelve limited edition final works of art will be produced for exhibition throughout the year at major City venues, galleries and events. Submission deadline is April 22, 2005. Visit www.communitybicyclenetwork.org for all the pertinent information including regulations, sponsors and incentives...
9) Community Bicycle Network Speaker Series: Charles Komanoff
Charles Komanoff, transportation-justice activist from New York City, is coming to Toronto as part of the Community Bicycle Network's Speaker Series: Tuesday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m. at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W.
Komanoff reviews the status of cycling in Toronto, Beijing and New York, emphasizing connections among the three cities. He will outline the emerging cycling paradigm known as "safety in numbers" and explain how carbon taxes, road pricing and Critical Mass can promote both civic sanity and climate stability.
Charles Komanoff "re-founded" NYC's bike-advocacy group Transportation Alternatives in the 1980s, co-founded the pedestrian-rights group Right of Way in the 1990s, and wrote the landmark reports Subsidies for Traffic, The Bicycle Blueprint and Killed by Automobile. For more information visit: http://communitybicyclenetwork.org/speakerseries
10) Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, April 18, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Community Bicycle News - Speaker Series News
April 19: Charles Komanoff
6:30 p.m. at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W.
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Safety Subcommittee
Monday, April 25, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, May 3, 2005, 6:30 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
CAN-BIKE courses:
CAN-BIKE cycling courses for young cyclists and adults. For course descriptions and a full schedule visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike or call 416-338-0000 to register.
South District
Kids CAN-BIKE (ages 9-13) $75/12 hours
April 23, 30, May 7. 1-5pm, Fairmount Park CC, 1757 Gerrard St. E.
CAN-BIKE 2 (ages 14+) $100/18 hours
April 30, May 7, 14. 9:30am-4:30pm. Lamport Stadium 1155 King St. E.
East District
Kids CAN-BIKE (ages 9-13) $75/12 hours
April 16, 23, 30. 9am-1pm, Birchmount CC, 93 Birchmount Rd.
West District
Kids CAN-Bike (ages 9-13) $75/12hrs
Saturday April 16, 23. 9am-3pm, James S. Bell CS, 90 Thirty-First St.
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 (ages 14+) $50/3hrs
Saturday April 30, 9am-12pm or 1-4pm, James S. Bell CS, 90 Thirty-First St.
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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