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Issue # 105
May 2005 |
Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Bike Week 2005 - Getting There Is Half the Fun
Help launch Bike Week 2005 on Monday May 30th by joining the 16th Annual Group Commute & Free Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Toronto Cycling Committee.
You can pick up a free T-shirt by riding to one of theses four official start points at 7:30:
- Danforth and Woodbine
- Dundas E. and Kingston
- Yonge and Lawrence
- Bloor and High Park
Or you can converge at Yonge and Bloor to join the group ride down to Nathan Phillips Square for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. The breakfast is provided by Whole Foods Market. Sample hemp pancakes, multigrain pancakes, a variety of fruit smoothies, protein drinks, cereals, crunchy organic apples - and don't forget the java! This fantastic breakfast, like the foods featured at Whole Foods Market, is free of artificial ingredients.
The Bike Week 2005 calendar of events is now available across the city at Community centres and bike shops. Be sure and pick up your copy today and find out what Toronto has to offer its cyclists. The calendar is also available on line at www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/
This year 62 organizations and community groups have joined with the City of Toronto to host more than 120 exciting cycling events. Once again, the annual celebration of bicycle culture features events for cyclists of every stripe, from family-friendly group rides to repair workshops. Keep pedalling!
2) Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting - Monday, May 16, 2005
Congratulations to Nikki Rendle who now joins Ian Thomson as citizen co-chairs of the Toronto Cycling Committee along with chair Councillor Adam Giambrone.
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Update on the status of bike lanes on Royal York Road
- Signage on kiosks in parks
- Cycling Trends and Policies in Canadian Cities - report
- Policy of replacing existing street signs
- Bike Week 2005
- Helmet legislation update
Interested? Come out and join the discussion. See Ahead in the Bike Lane for time and place or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling
3) Meet the 2005 Cycling Ambassadors
The 2005 Cycling Ambassador Program is under way! This year's Ambassadors are currently undergoing rigorous training and orientation, in order to be ready for an event-packed summer. Starting with Bike Week, the Ambassadors will be attending numerous community events all over Toronto in order to carry out the goals of the Toronto Bike Plan. If you would like the Ambassadors to attend your community event, school, or workplace, please fill out an online request form at www.toronto.ca/cycling/ratsa/index.htm or call 416-338-5071.
We welcome the 2005 City of Toronto Cycling Ambassadors: Pat Crosscombe, Jesse Demb, Stacy Douglas, Saul Ettlin, Steven Gray, Leila Palomino, Alan Wayne Scott, Michelle Stelter, and Herb Vanden Dool.
4) Job Opportunity - CAN-BIKE Instructor
Become a CAN-BIKE instructor and start teaching evenings and weekends this summer! The first instructor workshop of the season is scheduled for June 11,12,25,26. Instructor candidates must be CAN-BIKE 2 trained with recommendation from their instructor. You must also be willing to have tons of fun, make between $17.39-$19.20 per hour and help fellow cyclists rediscover the joy of safe cycling! Call us today to confirm your qualifications, 416-392-1311, or e-mail at canbike@toronto.ca.
5) Revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square
A good place for more bike parking!
This Fall, the City of Toronto will invite architects, landscape artists, artists, planners, engineers and other professionals to submit design proposals to revitalize the Square's existing facilities in order to enable the delivery of a greater number and variety of events. Bring your ideas to a public information workshop on Wednesday May 25, 2005 6:30pm-9:00pm in the Council Chamber and Members' Lounge at City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. For more information visit www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition or e-mail npscomp@toronto.ca.
6) Cyclist vs road rage
You know that surge of anger you feel when someone tells you to "get off the f---ing road"? Well you can put it to use.
Recently I was riding west on King near Spadina, caught in a single narrow lane between a streetcar and some hoarding, when I heard a courrier truck driver yell the magic words. I yelled back "No way, I have as much right to be on the road as you do." And I noted his licence number and truck number.
Then I got to my office, Googled his company and found the name of the vice-president of human resources. I sent him a polite e-mail message with the details, suggesting he get somebody to tell the driver that cyclists have the right to a full lane when it is necessary for their safety.
A day later I got back a note apologizing for the man's behaviour and saying, "appropriate disciplinary action is being taken." Felt great.
Margot Gibb-Clark - CAN-BIKE 2 graduate
Editor's note:
There are many factors to consider when you make the decision to "take the lane". For your own safety - take a CAN-BIKE course and practice this skill with fellow cyclists and a knowledgeable instructor.
7) Cyclists - Dismount during Riverdale Pedestrian Bridge Construction
During construction on the Riverdale Pedestrian Bridge between May 9th and early October 2005, cyclists should dismount and walk across to ensure a safe passage. Only about 6.5 feet will be available for crossing the bridge throughout the construction period, which is not enough space to share safely with pedestrians and other bridge users. Advance notice signs will be posted on-site with updates regarding complete nighttime closures including late June construction on the stairs from the Don River Trail. For more information contact Mike Laidlaw, Senior Engineer, at 416-392-8346.
8) College Street Bike Lanes
Be one of the firsts to check out the smooth ride and new pavement markings on the College Street bike lanes from Bathurst to Crawford St. heading east and west. Traffic in the area reopened on Tuesday May 10, after weeks of road construction.
9) The Martin Goodman Trail Update
The Martin Goodman Trail in the Eastern Beaches is substantially completed including 2.2 km of resurfaced and new trail from Ashbridges Bay Rd. south of Lakeshore and Coxwell east to Fernwood Ave.
Construction continues on the trail near Marilyn Bell Park and is scheduled to wrap up at the end of the month. For more information, contact Stephen O'Bright, Project Manager, at sobright@toronto.ca.
10) Pedestrian sues cyclist and wins $130,000 in compensation
A civil suit in Victoria, BC resulted in a cyclist being held at fault for injuring a pedestrian. The pedestrian stepped out into a crosswalk at an intersection on a green light and was hit by a cyclist running a red light. (Credit: CBC News Online).
11) 1st Annual International Trails Day - Saturday June 4, 2005
The Cycle Ontario Alliance has been working with the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, the Ontario Trails Council, other Canadian cycling interests, and a host of representatives from the States including the Genesee Region Trails Coalition, New York State Department of Transportation, Wellness Institute & New York Bicycling Coalition to organize a June 4, 2005 1st Annual International Trails day. This first event will focus on the Peace Bridge between Fort Erie and Buffalo, with a 10:00am simultaneous crossing by Canadians and Americans. Participants can then enjoy displays on both sides of the border and hike or bike on the many trials and routes offered.
This event is meant to draw attention to the ease of accessibility that border crossings should provide and the availability of bicycle routes and trails in Ontario (including the Ontario Bicycling Route) and the States. The hope is that this will grow to be an annual event, and that it will spread to other border crossings in the future. If your calendar is open on June 4th, please consider joining the many participants in this unique event.
12) Fresh Air Fair - June 4, 2005 12-4pm, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
Looking for an afternoon of fun? This free, family event will feature hands-on activities, films, stories, and prize give-aways, with a focus on healthy and active lifestyles. Meet Olympic rower Jake Wetzel and enjoy a free concert by Judy & David of the hit TV series, Judy & David's Boom Box!
The Fresh Air Fair will provide all family members with a better understanding of how active lifestyles can lead to a healthier self, and cleaner air. For more information visit www.cleanairpartnership.org
13) Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, May 16, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, May 25, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Safety Subcommittee
Tuesday, May 24, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, May 18, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, 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.
Saturday, May 14
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women 10am-4pm, Cummer Park CC.
Sunday, May 15
CAN-BIKE ALR1, 9am-12pm or 1-4pm Etobicoke Olympium
CAN-BIKE ALR1, 9am-12pm, Agincourt RC.
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women, 10am-4pm, Etobicoke Olympium
Sunday, May 22
CAN-BIKE ALR1, 10am-1pm, Etobicoke Olympium
Saturday, May 28
CAN-BIKE 2, 9:30am-4:30pm, Lamport Stadium
Kids CAN-BIKE, 9am-1pm or 2-6pm Birchmount CC or 9:30-3:30pm, Palmerston Library
CAN-BIKE ALR1, 9am-12pm, James S. Bell
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women, 1-5pm, Centennial RC.
Saturday, June 4
Kids CAN-BIKE , 8:30am-12:30pm, or 1:30-5:30pm, Etobicoke Olympium
Sunday, June 5
CAN-BIKE ALR1, 10am-1pm, Birchmount CC.
CAN-BIKE ALR2, 2-5pm, Birchmount CC.
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women, 10am-4pm, Cummer Park CC.
Saturday June 11
CAN-BIKE 1, 9am-3pm, Centennial RC.
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women, 1-5pm, Agincourt RC.
CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshop, 9:30am-4:30pm, Exhibition Place
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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