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 members needed
Toronto City Council is looking for volunteers interested in serving on the Toronto Cycling Committee (TCC). Anyone able to volunteer is encouraged to attend an information session and complete an application form.
Forms can be found online at www.toronto.ca/cycling or can be picked up at an information session or from Access Toronto locations at Toronto City Hall, Metro Hall or the Civic Centres. Forms must be completely filled out and returned by Friday, October 7, 2005 before 4:30 p.m. to Frank Baldassini, Toronto Cycling Committee Secretary, City Clerk's Office, City of Toronto, North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5V7 or by FAX: 416-395-7337.
Information sessions will be held at the following meetings:
- Promotions Subcommittee meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 4, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West;
- Education and Safety Subcommittee meeting to be held on Monday, September 26, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room No. 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West; or
- Bikeway Network Subcommittee meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room No. 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
For more information, call Frank Baldassini at 416-395-7352 or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling.
The TCC is a special committee of Toronto City Council. Its mandate is to initiate programs that promote and enhance cycling in Toronto.
2)
Bike Plan Acceleration Strategy goes to Works Committee on Sept. 14, 2005
The staff report presenting the Toronto Bike Plan 3 Year Implementation Strategy will be considered by the Works Committee on September 14, 2005. The report was requested to provide City Council with a proposed strategy for accelerating the Toronto Bike Plan, particularly the implementation of the Bikeway Network by Transportation Services, for consideration as part of the 2006 budget review process. You can view the Works Committee agenda at http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/term2003-2006/wks-mtgs.htm Click on September 14/05 and go to agenda item #14.
For more information, check out the Bike Toronto website at www.biketoronto.ca
3)
Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting - Monday September 19, 2005
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
Presentation by Toronto Public Health - Collaboration on Public Health and Cycling Programs
Presentation of "Driving with Bikes" CD ROM project currently in development
Update on Toronto Bike Plan - 3- Year Strategy
City of Toronto's Newly Designed Recycling/Litter Bin Test
Appointments to the Toronto Cycling Committee - appointment of Nomination Subcommittee
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
4)
City Picks Up Abandoned Bicycles
Abandoned bikes are not only an eyesore, they take up valuable parking spots that cyclists really need. Bikes that are obviously derelict rusty, damaged, stripped of parts can be reported by e- mailing the City's Solid Waste Collections manager, at lpessoa@toronto.ca. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a bike has actually been abandoned, notify Right of Way Management by e-mailing rbertran@toronto.ca. A By Law Enforcement officer will investigate, and will attach a notice asking the owner to move the bicycle. If it's still there after seven days, Solid Waste will pick it up and store it until it is retrieved by the owner, or until the next public auction. In either case, try to provide as much information as you can about the location and description of the bike, including the type of lock attached (cable, U lock, chain, etc.).
5)
Mark October 6th on your calendar and come out to the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards!
The Bicycle Friendly Business Awards are presented annually by the City of Toronto to businesses or other organizations that demonstrate leadership in supporting and promoting cycling. All businesses that encourage cycling help the City to achieve the goal of the Toronto Bike Plan: to double the number of bicycle trips made in the City by 2011.
A special ceremony to present the awards will take place on Thursday, October 6 in the Rotunda of City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
The following seven awards will be presented at the ceremony:
- Best Bike Parking
- Bicycle-Friendliest Suburban Business (outside of former Toronto)
- Bicycle Commute
- Best Small Business (up to 99 employees)
- Best Large Business (100 employees and over)
- Best Skills Development
- Best Overall
Along with the BFBAs, this year the City will launch the Bicycle-Friendly Recognition Program. Businesses that agree to meet certain criteria for being bicycle friendly will be recognized by the City, given a decal to display in their window and sign a three-year pledge to be bike friendly.
For more information visit: www.toronto.ca/cycling/bfba/index.htm
6)
Toronto BUG Activities - Ticketmaster BUG
The Ticketmaster BUG publishes a regular BUG Newsletter and has an internal BUG site. They hope to encourage more staff to ride more often. They offer locker facilities, secure indoor parking, and a flat repair kit. Current projects include setting up a Ride Home Insurance policy for BUG members, coordinating a Bicycle Buddy System for new commuters, accessing a shower facility, and acquiring discounts at bicycle retailers in the area. Those are all great initiatives! For more information visit www.ticketmaster.ca or email robin.keigher@ticketmaster.ca.
7)
New Commuter Tips Video on line!
The Bicycle User Group Network is proud to announce that the Commuter Tips Video is now available for viewing on line. Check out www.toronto.ca/bug/video.htm to watch and learn everything you need to know about safe bicycle commuting in the city!
For more information, or to register your own BUG email bugs@toronto.ca or call 416-338-5091.
8)
"Streets are Alive!" public space cinema series presents "Pedal Power" September 27, 2005
"Pedal Power" at the Bloor Cinema, September 27. 7pm. $9.
featuring : "Return of the Scorcher" (1992) & "We aren't Blocking Traffic...We ARE Traffic" (1999)
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the state of cycling in Toronto.
Panelists:
Darren Stehr (torontocranks.com)
Derek Chadbourne (Bike Joint)
Maogosha Pyjor (Community Bicycle Network)
Martino Reis (ARC)
Wayne Scott (Hoof & Cycle)
More info at: http://www.publicspace.ca/streetsarealive.htm
9)
Global Safeguard Inquiry into the Importation of Bicycles and Finished Painted Bicycle Frames
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has completed its inquiry regarding the effects of an increased quantity of bicycles and bicycle frames being imported into Canada on Canadian bicycle manufacturers. Between 2000 and 2004, imported bicycles increased by nearly 98 per cent. The report of the Trade Tribunal recommends that Ottawa impose a levy for three years on bicycles with a retail price of no more than $400. The proposed tax would be 30 per cent in the first year, 25 per cent in the second year and 20 per cent in the third year. Over fifty parties, including "domestic and foreign producers, importers, mass merchants, independent bicycle dealers, domestic and foreign trade associations, a union and the governments of several countries" participated in the global safeguard inquiry. Procycle of St-Georges de Beauce and Raleigh Canada account for more than half of the bicycles built in Canada. For more information, go to www.citt-tcce.gc.ca.
10)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 p.m, Committee Room 2, City Hall
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, September 19, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, City Hall
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 4, City Hall
Education and Safety Subcommittee
Monday, September 26, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, City Hall
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, City Hall
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, October 11, 6:30 p.m., Committee Room 4, Toronto City Hall
CAN-BIKE Courses:
CAN-BIKE ALR1 course:
Sunday, September 18, 9am-12pm, Etobicoke Olympium, Course code: 1047360
Sunday, September 18, 1-4pm, Etobicoke Olympium, Course code: 1047361
Cost: $50
CAN-BIKE 2 course:
September 18, 25 & Oct. 2, 9:30am-4:30pm, Lamport Stadium, Course code: 1064624
Cost: $100
To register, please call 416-338-0000 or register on-line at: www.toronto.ca/parks/torontofun.
Instructor Workshop: (2005) October 16, 22, 23, 30.
(Instructor candidates must have successfully completed CAN-BIKE 2)
For more information, please call 416-392-1311.
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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