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, February 13, 2006
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Current Policies and Practice for Accommodating Cyclists in Construction Zones (Presentation)
- Street Furniture Harmonization (Presentation)
- 2006 Operating Budget - Planning and Transportation Committee
- Request to Develop Alternative Standards for the Width of a Bike Lane
- Development of an Automated Second-Hand Goods & Pawn Electronic Transaction Reporting By-law
- Toronto International Bike Show
- Bike Week
- 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)
Notice of Temporary Don Valley Trail Closure (Queen St. to Lakeshore Blvd. E.)
The Don Valley Trail will be temporarily closed from Queen St. south to Lakeshore Blvd. to facilitate the expansion of the Kingston CN Rail Bridge. The Bridge span expansion is part of the flood protection work associated with the West Don Lands Precinct Plan initiative administered by the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation in partnership with the various other levels of government and affected agencies. This bridge work will aid in protecting 210 ha (520 ac) of land west of the river which is currently at risk of flooding in an extreme storm event.
As a result, the impacted section of the Don Valley Trail on the west side of the river valley (from Queen Street south to Lakeshore Blvd) will be fenced off and closed starting later in February.
To accommodate trail patrons during this closure, we have worked with staff from Pedestrian Cycling Infrastructure, Parks Operations, TRCA and the Toronto Cycling Committee to identify alternate routing and a signage strategy.
The signs will be installed at seven locations around the work site to inform the public of the closure and alternate routing. Signage will remain in place until the project is complete in the spring of 2007. Sign locations are:
Lakeshore Blvd @ Cherry Street
Intersection of Lakeshore Bike Trail and Don Valley Trail
Lakeshore Blvd @ Carlaw
Don Valley Trail @ Queen Street
Don Valley Trail @ Riverdale Park
Don Valley Trail @ Pottery Road
Don Valley Trail @ Don Mills Road
When complete in the spring of 2007, this section of trail will be fully upgraded with a new, widened section under the rail bridge and a new underpass connecting to Mill or Front St. and the future West Don Lands community.
Additional information regarding the project can be found at the TRCA website.
3)
Toronto International Bike Show 2006 - helmet models needed!
Come visit the Toronto Cycling Committee at the Toronto International Bike Show, at the National Trade Centre from March 3 to 5, 2006.
- Drop by the TTC bus (you can't miss us this year!) and see how easy and convenient it is to Rack and Roll thanks to the ingenious design of the new bike-racks on buses.
- Pick up your 2006 Toronto Cycling Map!
- Say 2-4-1! We need cyclists to model correct helmet fit to replace our existing campaign (noon to 2:00 p.m. on March 4th). This cartoon character needs an update - check out what we mean at www.toronto.ca/cycling/safety/helmet/helmet_241.htm
- Fill out a request for a Post and Ring and talk to a Cycling Committee member about issues that concern you.
For more information email bikeweek@toronto.ca, or call 416-392-7592.
4)
Budget 2006 Public Meetings - February 4th, 8th & 9th.
Join the conversation about the City's proposed 2006 Operating Budget at one of four public sessions being held across Toronto. This is your opportunity to learn about the budget challenges and to discuss the choices facing City Council. Pre-registration is not required.
At North York Civic Centre - Saturday, February 4, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
5100 Yonge St. (Yonge north of Sheppard)
At Etobicoke Collegiate Institute - Saturday, February 4, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
86 Montgomery Rd. (Islington and Bloor)
At East York Civic Centre - Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
850 Coxwell Ave. (Coxwell and Mortimer)
At Scarborough Civic Centre - Thursday, February 9, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
150 Borough Drive (McCowan and Ellesmere)
On February 16, there is also an opportunity for public comment on details of the 2006 proposed budget at the joint meeting of the Budget Advisory/Policy and Finance Committees of Council at Toronto City Hall. Please call 416-392-6662 to schedule your deputation.
For more information, please visit: www.toronto.ca/budget2006/
5)
Union Station Precinct Study Public Forums - Tuesday, February 21, 2006
A public forum that is part of a series of consultations during the ongoing Union Station precinct study will be held on Tuesday, February 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Metro Hall Rotunda, 55 John Street. The forum will include a presentation at 7 p.m. Topics presented will include heritage guideline considerations, Union Plaza, pedestrian and traffic considerations and refinements to the design of Front Street. For more information about Union Station and to view materials presented at previous precinct study public forums visit www.toronto.ca/union_station.
6)
Teach CAN-BIKE this summer/fall
Instructors make between $17-$20/hr doing what they love best! Help us increase the number of safe cyclists out there by increasing the knowledge and confidence in students of all skill levels. CAN-BIKE courses run from late April to mid September. Instructor workshops are set for June and October this year so plan ahead if you want to start teaching in 2006. Check the CAN-BIKE website soon for the full schedule of courses and locations...including two new downtown locations!
www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike
Call 416-392-1311 if you have any questions.
7)
New date for Art Auction - March 9, 2006
34 submissions...12 spots on the calendar...
If you haven't already seen the amazing results from the 2005 Women and Cycling art project (where have you been??) check them out now at http://communitybicyclenetwork.org/?q=poster
Start planning your strategy to get one, two, or three for yourself because these beauties are on the auction block to raise money for the Community Bicycle Network. A few of the one-of-a-kind Calendars are still available for the low-low cost of $5. Check the website for more info.
The Art Auction needs a home, so if you have any suggestions on where the CBN can host this star-studded evening let them know at posterproject2005@communitybicyclenetwork.org
8)
Retail Employment Opportunity
Dukes Cycle in Toronto is currently searching for highly skilled mechanics to work throughout the spring and summer season. If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more, you can contact Jill Allen in Human Resources at 416-504-6138. She can also be reached by email at dukescycles_hr@rogers.com.
9)
Canadian Cycling Association and Louis Garneau
After twenty-two years of partnership and more than three-quarters of a million dollars in sponsorship, Louis Garneau Sports is proud to increase commitment with the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA). As official supplier of the team, Louis Garneau will provide clothing, helmets, and for the first time, frames to the team. This partnership is scheduled until the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.
In 2006, the Canadian National Team will have 87 athletes in road, track, and mountain bike. Amongst them are some athletes renown for great performances in international events such as Marie-Heleene Premont (silver medallist at the Olympic Games in 2004), Lyne Bessette and Eric Wholberg. Some new talented racers have also joined the team such as David Veilleux (Winner of the Tour de l'Abitibi 2005). With so many accomplished athletes, we are convinced that we will have a successful season!
10)
Creating municipal election fever
(from Novae Res Urbis - City of Toronto Edition, Friday February 3, 2006)
"Hoping to inject some energy into local democracy, the Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC) has launched a website to provide information on how to get involved with municipal election campaigns (www.whorunsthistown.to). Co-ordinator Dave Meslin, who founded TPSC in 2001, will step down from his usual duties to organize the campaign."
11)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, February 13, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Education and Safety Subcommittee
Monday, February 20, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 6:30 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
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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