Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1)
Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting - Monday July 18, 2005
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Presentation - The 2005 Cycling Ambassadors
- Toronto Transit Commission Bike Rack On-line Survey
- Presentation regarding bike lane designs related to pavement markings re: Council request for input
- Nathan Phillips Square Redesign Competition
- Don Valley Corridor Transportation Master Plan
- GO Transit Georgetown Corridor Rail Expansion Environmental Assessment Study - From Bathurst Street to the Bramalea GO Station (Including the Air Rail Link between Union Station and Lester B. Pearson Airport)
Interested? Come out and join the discussion. See Ahead in the Bike Lane for time and place or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling
2)
Bicycle Racks on TTC Buses
The TTC has begun an exciting new pilot project to put bicycle racks on 5 TTC bus routes!These racks are available to cyclists at no additional cost and they carry two bicycles per bus.They are very easy to use and it takes only a few seconds to safely secure a bicycle. The routes included in the pilot project are: 7 Bathurst (excluding 7A), 29 Dufferin, 47 Landsdowne, 98 Willowdale-Senlac and 161 Rogers Road. 310 Bathurst, the all-night bus, is also planned to be equipped with racks starting mid-summer. Looking for something to do this summer? Ride the Dufferin bus down to the Ex where you can connect to the waterfront trail. Or, if you have errands to run in North Toronto, you can ride the Bathurst bus all the way to Steeles Ave.! For work, school, or leisure, the bike racks will help you travel farther with your bicycle than ever before. Through your participation you can help this project to succeed.
3)
Smog Alert record
The number of smog alert days in 2005 is off the charts. Toronto Public Health lists the number of smog alert days since 1993 in Toronto. In 1993 there was one smog alert day. That has grown to a total to-date of 31 in 2005. Take a look at the graph. The next most polluted year was in 2001 with a total yearly number of 20 smog alert days. Scary numbers for all of us - especially cyclists.
4)
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in its July 12, 2005 update sends the following:
Motorcycle Magazine Publishes Outstanding Helmet Article
The June issue of Motorcyclist magazine has the best consumer helmet article we have seen in years. It is available online without subscribing at www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_gear/index.html
We recommend it highly even though it is not bicycle-specific. It has in-depth background on impact theory, helmet construction, brain physiology and more. The depth of research by author Dexter Ford is indicated by quotes from many of the gurus of the motorcycle helmet field, including Dave Thom of Collision and Injury Dynamics, who did the test lab, work for the magazine. The writing is clear and accessible. We learned things.
This one is a good summer read on an airplane or at the beach, even for those whose primary interest is bicycle helmets.
5)
Follow the Leader: A National study of safety role modeling among parents and children.
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign has released a report that examines the concept that both observation of a behaviour and the perceived consequence of that behaviour affect a child's imitation of the behaviour. The report focuses on three of the leading causes of injury-related child mortality (motor vehicle occupant injury, pedestrian injury, and drowning) and one of the leading causes of child morbidity (bicycle injury). The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury.
For more information, please go to www.safekids.org (PDF)
6)
Cycling Ambassador Update
We're just over two months into the 2005 season for the City of Toronto Cycling Ambassadors and they have been crisscrossing the city to promote cycling and cycling safety.
Since Bike Week, where the ambassadors attended and hosted a wide array of events to celebrate bike culture in Toronto, they have been seen at parks, festivals and gatherings across they city. The ambassadors attended Barbados Street Party, Dragon Boat Festival, Get Off Your Butt-athon and the annual Pride Parade, just to name a few. They've also been seen talking to cyclists at Councillor Environment Days, Neighbors Night's Out and other community picnics around town.
On Canada Day alone, the ambassadors attended eight separate events including: Scarborough Canada Day, CHIN Picnic, and Weston Lions Park Canada Day. An estimated 20,000 Torontonians reveled at these eight events and the ambassadors talked with over 3,000 people about bike commuting and cycling safety on that day.
In addition to attending events and giving talks over the rest of the summer, the ambassadors will also be promoting Bike Racks on Buses also know as, 'Rack it and Rocket'. This pilot project of the TTC is currently running on 5 bus lines and allows cyclists to bring their wheels on these bike rack equipped buses anytime - even during rush hour! For more information.
While the ambassadors have a lot to do for July and August, you can still invite them to your community event. To request the Cycling Ambassadors please visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/ratsa/index.htm and fill out the form.
7)
Eglinton West Path Reconstruction Mimico Creek to Kipling Avenue
The multi year upgrade of the Eglinton West Path continues. Work has begun on the section from just east of Mimico Creek to Kipling Avenue. A separate sidewalk for pedestrian use will be installed over the entire section. The asphalt path for cyclists and in line skaters will be repaved and widened. 'Cross bikes' will be provided at signalized intersections.
The work should be completed by early August. The contractor will try to keep the path open for cyclists and pedestrians while the work is proceeding. However, there may be short term closures.
8)
Reconstruction of Twyn Rivers Drive at the Rouge Park
For visitors to Rouge Park, please be advised that Twyn Rivers Drive will be closed for reconstruction from July 4 to August 19, but both parking lots will be open and trail users will be accommodated. For further info contact 416-397-7777 or 416-599-9090.
9)
Where do you look to find out about road repairs?
The following is a great website to check if you are planning a cycling trip into an unknown or infrequently traveled part of town. The site lists all the traffic restrictions due to road work, building development, T.T.C. work, bridge or underpass rehabilitation, water main replacement, gas line replacement, sewer repairs, crane hoisting, Deep Lake Chilled Water Project, road resurfacing, road construction, etc!! Go to www.toronto.ca/transportation/road_info/index.htm
10)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, July 18, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, July 27, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Safety Subcommittee - PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
Monday, Aug 8, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West;
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 4, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
CAN-BIKE COURSES - Please visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike and check the 2005 schedule for complete details or call 416-392-1311.
Sunday, July 17
CAN-BIKE ALR1
9am-12pm, Centennial RC or 1-4pm, Earl Bales CC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2
1-4pm, Centennial RC.
Monday, July 18
Kids CAN-BIKE
10am-1pm, Palmerston Library or 2-5pm, Palmerston Library
Saturday, July 23
CAN-BIKE ALR1
9am-12pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2
9am-12pm, Earl Bales CC or 1-4pm, Centennial RC.
Sunday, July 24
CAN-BIKE ALR1
10am-1pm, Birchmount CC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2
2-5pm, Birchmount CC.
Sunday, July 31
CAN-BIKE ALR1
9am-12pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2
1-4pm, Centennial RC.
Saturday, August 6
Kids CAN-BIKE
12-4pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE ALR1
9am-12pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2
1-4pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women
10am-4pm, Birchmount CC.
CAN-BIKE 2
9:30am-4:30pm, Lamport Stadium
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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