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 October 17, 2005
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Snow Removal Practices in Bicycle Lanes
- Bicycle Lane Approval Process
- Toronto Bike Plan - Three-Year Implementation Strategy - Update
- City of Toronto's Newly Designed Recycling/Litter Bin Test
- Cycling on Sidewalks
- Cycling Ambassador 2005 Program Summary
- Bicycle Friendly Business Awards 2005
- Reports from Subcommittees and Workgroups: Promotions Subcommitte; Education and Safety Subcommittee; Bikeway Network Subcommittee and the Transit and Cycling Working Group.
Interested? Come out and join the discussion. See Ahead in the Bike Lane for time and place or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling
2)
NEW Bicycle Lanes approved
City Council has approved bicycle lanes on both sides of Dundas Street West, from Sorauren Avenue to College Street, and on both sides of College Street, from Dundas Street West to Lansdowne Avenue. Work will be completed this fall.
3)
Detour of Martin Goodman Trail at Marilyn Bell Park
A portion of the Martin Goodman (Waterfront) Trail has been closed at Marilyn Bell Park for the construction of the Western Beaches Watercourse breakwall. The watercourse is being developed as a recreational facility for boaters in the city and will be used for an international Dragon Boat competition being held in Toronto in 2006.
Although the construction of the breakwall is expected to last until April of 2006, a new trail will soon be constructed within the park by the end of November 2005. This is a permanent trail that will also serve as a detour route at the time of this construction project. Unfortunately, until the opening of this new trail, users of the Martin Goodman Trail are being detoured along the sidewalk adjacent to Lake Shore Blvd and extra care should be taken when proceeding through this section.
4)
Bicycle detectors at intersections
At some intersections (usually those at which a low volume street crosses a busy arterial road) the traffic signals will not change unless a waiting vehicle is detected, or a pedestrian presses the push button. All "semi actuated" signal systems installed within the last ten years are able to detect bicycles. Scheduled maintenance of older detector loops includes adjustment of the sensitivity. At such intersections, you will see three white dots in the curb lane, indicating the area where the loops are best able to detect the relatively small amount of ferrous metal in a bicycle. Stopping over the dots will cause the signal controller to cycle, the same way pushing the pedestrian crossing button will trigger the "walk signal." If the dots are not visible, you can usually see a black tar filled line, where the asphalt has been cut to install the loop. Malfunctioning detectors can be reported by calling 416-599-9090.
5)
NEW Bike locker project
Transportation Services, in partnership with the TTC, will be initiating a long-awaited Bike Locker Pilot Project over the next several months. Lockers provide secure individual bicycle parking that is especially appreciated by commuters who may be reluctant to leave their bike locked in the open all day. Bicycle lockers will be installed at several locations across the city, and will be available for rent on a four-month term, for $10 per month. The new lockers will be installed and available for rent by early spring 2006. Proposed sites for this first phase of the pilot project include the new "Mobility Hub" at Exhibition Place, as well as Finch, Lawrence, Victoria Park, and Royal York TTC subway stations, and Toronto City Hall. We are also looking for other potential bicycle locker locations for the second round of installation later in 2006. If you are interested in renting a locker, contact David Tomlinson by e-mail, at dtomlin@toronto.ca or by telephone, at 416-392-8400. Please indicate your preferred locker location -- either from those mentioned above, or any other suitable spot.
6)
Twyn Rivers Drive reconstruction
News from the east end. The Twyn Rivers Drive reconstruction is complete and the road now has a smooth surface with clear white edge lines and no parking permitted along the road, only at the official parking lots, which should make cycling and walking safer.
7)
BUG stories
The 777 Bay Street BUG formed in the summer of 2004. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) is located in this building, along with other public and private sector tenants. Cyclists at this location have some outdoor parking, and BUG members are working with management to both increase capacity and to provide secure long-term parking options for MAH employees and their tenants. Members keep in touch through the MAH intranet. For more information please e-mail kathy.mortimer@mah.gov.on.ca and visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.
8)
Toronto Bicycle Show Fall Blowout Sale - Sat. Oct. 15, 2005
One Day Only Year-End Clearout Sale
Saturday, October 15, 2005 10 am - 5 pm
National Trade Centre
East Annex (Hall F)
New North entrance next to new Ricoh Coliseum (New Hockey Arena)
Exhibition Place
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Admission: $5.00
9)
Cycle Ontario Alliance 2005 Bicycle Conference - Sat. Oct. 22, 2005
"Working towards a more bicycle-friendly and healthier Ontario"
Join cyclists from across Ontario to hear a great line-up of speakers with exciting presentations on important cycling issues. Here are the details:
McMaster University, Hamilton
McMaster University Student Centre
CIBC Banquet Hall, 3rd Floor
Saturday October 22, 2005, 9:00am to 5:00pm
10)
Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project
TRCA cordially invites you to participate in this exciting project by attending our second Public Forum.
Monday, November 7, 2005
Open House: 6:30 pm
Meeting: 7:00 pm
Metro Hall - 55 John Street, Toronto, Ontario Rooms 308/309
Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is proceeding with the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project. Ultimately this project will develop a preferred alternative that will transform the existing mouth of the Don River, including the Keating Channel, into a healthier, more natural river outlet to the lake, while at the same time, removing the risk of flooding to 230 hectares of urban land to the east and south of the river. This project is a key component of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation's mandate to renew and revitalize Toronto's waterfront. Results from the first public forum and three community working sessions held throughout the summer of 2005 will be presented. For more information, please go to: www.trca.on.ca
11)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, October 11, 6:30 p.m, Committee Room 2, City Hall
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, October 17, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, City Hall
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, October 19, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 4, City Hall
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, City Hall
Education and Safety Subcommittee
Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 p.m., Room 305, Metro Hall - please note location change
CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshop
October 16, 22, 23, 30, Exhibition Place , 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Please call 416-392-1311 for more information.
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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