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 June 19, 2006
Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.
- Impacts of Traffic on Health - Presentation - (7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) Ronald Macfarlane, Supervisor, Environmental Health Assessment Policy, Toronto Public Health regarding the Impacts of Traffic on Health.
- Streamlined Bike Lane Consultation Process - Presentation - (7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, Transportation Services regarding a proposed Streamlined Bike Lane Consultation Process.
- Implementation of an On-Line Bicycle Licensing System; Large Trucks and Cyclist/Pedestrian Safety; Cosburn Bicycle Lanes - Summary of Traffic Impacts and Cyclometer Update
- Reports from Subcommittees and Workgroups: Promotions Subcommittee; 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)
Safe Cycling Enforcement Campaign - Share the Responsibility
On Monday June 12, 2006, the Toronto Police Service will be launching a one-week traffic safety initiative entitled Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility. This will be the second initiative undertaken as part of the Service's comprehensive traffic strategy, "Operation Safe Journey". The Toronto Police Service is continuing to focus its efforts on encouraging safe cycling as a practical mode of transportation in our city.
Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility will commence on Monday morning and conclude on Sunday June 18 2006, and is designed to reduce the potential for cycling related injuries, through awareness, education and enforcement. The Toronto Police Service reminds motorists of the dangers of opening car doors in the path of cyclists and the importance of checking blind spots prior to making right turns. Officers will pay particular attention to those motorists who endanger the lives of cyclists, including vehicles parking in designated bike lanes and to cyclists whose aggressive riding puts themselves, pedestrian and motorists at risk.
Each year about 1,200 cyclists are involved in collisions on our roadways. Cyclists are vulnerable and are often seriously injured in collisions with motorists. The last 5 cycling fatalities have involved commercial motor vehicles. Motorists and cyclists have a responsibility to share the road equally by driving safety and riding responsibly by obeying all the rules of the road.
3)
Bike Week 2006 - What a week(s)!
Well over 1, 000 people turned out on the morning of May 29th to officially launch Bike Week 2006 with the 17th Annual Group Commute and Pancake Breakfast. Commuters were joined by Mayor David Miller, Members of Parliament Olivia Chow and Jack Layton, Councillor Davis, Councillor Fletcher, Councillor Giambrone, Councillor Pitfield, and Councillor Watson, not to mention the fabulous B-Girlz who also cycled to work that morning...on a couch bike provided by the Bicycle Forest!
The St. Lawrence Market served up a fine breakfast of pancakes, bacon, fruit and croissants while we enjoyed the sounds of the Royal Canadian Legion Concert Band and the talent of Citytv's Frank Ferragine as our Master of Ceremonies. Over 30 various community groups participated in the breakfast by hosting a booth on the square and speaking to members of the public about their cycling-related initiatives. The rest of the morning included a bike giveaway by So Nice organic soymilk, a special reunion of Song Cycles, and a BMX flatland demo by the Action Sports Coalition.
Thank you to all of the cyclists who joined us at the over 130 spectacular events over the past two weeks and to all the various event organisers who made it all happen! And a special thanks to the sponsors of Bike Week 2006: Ontario Power Generation, Municipal Parking Authority, Citytv, NOW Magazine, CIUT 89.5fm, Toronto Community News, Red Toronto, and Pedal Magazine. As well as our community partners: The St. Lawrence Market, So Nice organic soymilk, Bell Sports, Get Out There Magazine, Alternative Grounds, Earth Grounds Espresso Bar, the Bicycle Forest, the Toronto Environmental Volunteers and the Community Bicycle Network for providing a lovely BikeShare bike for Mayor David Miller.
See you at Bike Week 2007!
4)
Bicycle User Group (BUG) Commuter Challenge results. The winner is?
The BUG Commuter Challenge 2006 was held on Monday, May 29th as the official start of Bike Week 2006. Riders met up at different start points in order to eventually make their way to Nathan Phillips Square for the pancake breakfast and to partake in the opening ceremony of Bike Week. This year, 15 BUGs registered over 200 riders for the BUG Commuter Challenge and we must now enthusiastically crown a new champion! This year the Grassroots Environmental Products BUG takes the crown with an overwhelming total of 37 riders taking part. Second place was shared between the CBC BUG and the Allstream BUG who were each able to recruit 21 riders for the trek. And rounding out the top three is the 777 Bay St BUG, who has successfully lobbied for a showering facility, took part in the Commuter Challenge with 9 riders. The City of Toronto would like to thank all of the riders that participated in the challenge and we hope that everyone will be preparing to challenge the Grassroots BUG for the title in 2007!
5)
Bike and Bus Picnic - July 23rd
Join the City of Toronto for a "Bike and Bus Picnic" on July 23rd from 10am to 2pm. The event will profile the Bike Racks on Buses Pilot Project and other ways of combining Cycling and Transit. More details to come, but mark the date on your calendar now! Don't miss it! For more information visit www.toronto.ca/cycling
6)
The 2006 Cycling Ambassadors hit the streets
Welcome to the 2006 City of Toronto Cycling Ambassadors - Dean, Herb, Steven, Leila, Katie, and Juno! The Ambassadors will be busy this summer attending various community events, doing data collection, and working to encourage and promote more bicycle riding and bicycle safety in the City of Toronto. If you would like the Ambassadors to attend your upcoming event please fill out an online form at www.toronto.ca/cycling/ratsa or call 416-338-5071.
The City of Toronto Cycling Ambassadors would like to recognize their sponsors: Mountain Equipment Coop, Kryptonite Bicycle Locks, Ryders Eyewear, McBride Cycle, Bell Sports, and CANBIKE.
7)
Works Committee discusses Truck Side guards at June 7, 2006 meeting
By Martin Koob
At its last meeting on May 15th, 2006 the Toronto Cycling Committee(TCC) discussed the topic of truck safety in relation to cyclists. One of the issues discussed was what measures the City of Toronto could take to prevent the type of accidents where cyclists from fall under the wheels of a large truck or transport trailer. At the end of that discussion the TCC made several recommendations to the Works Committee of Toronto City Council.
On Wednesday June 7th, 2006 the Works Committee will consider the TCC's Recommendations along with a staff report on the issues. The one recommendation coming out of the report is that "City Council reiterate its request to Transport Canada that it develop national design standards and regulations for side guards on large trucks." Passing legislation requiring side guards on trucks is the responsibility the Canadian Federal Government. Having the City of Toronto add its voice to those of cyclists who have been submitting petitions asking for this regulation would support the efforts of Olivia Chow MPP who is planning to introduce a private members bill on the subject of truck side guards.
8)
Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) hiring Sports Administrator Summer Position
Work for the OCA for 7 weeks from beginning of July until end of August.
Location: 1185 Eglinton Avenue East.
Among other things, the successful candidate would attend events on OCA's behalf and help with all daily operations of the office including the collection of data, membership and program registration fees, and all client services such as answering the phone, faxing and photocopying services.
Please e-mail your resume by in Word Format, by June 12th. This position is available through the Sport Alliance of Ontario and the Ministry of Ontario's Summer Experience Program. The pay will be $7.75 per hour as per the program requirements. Contact the OCA for more info 416-426-7243 or visit www.ontariocycling.org
9)
Poster Auction Success!
By Margaret Hastings-James
Many happy returns to all those who attended the CBN Women & Cycling Poster Auction on Monday, May 29th; the event was a great success! Thanks to the contributions of the talented artists, the hard work of dedicated CBN volunteers and the support of Dave Meslin, Shamez Amlani, Joe Travers, The New Kings, Project3Media, Hoof & Cycle Active Transport Workers Guild, Gold Sprints,
Sierra Club's Car Free Day, The Bike Joint, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Woolfits, Hardboiled, The Gladstone Hotel and The City of Toronto, we all enjoyed a fabulous evening of art, entertainment and fun!
On a smoggy Monday in the shadow of a transit strike, the Melody Room was filled and the CBN rewarded in so many wonderful ways. While the auction garnered some notably healthy (and much needed!) revenues, the event itself turned out to be so much more! The humorous yet poignant speakers, the interactive and engaging live auction and the wonderful musical entertainment all worked to foster a true sense of solidarity among all those who came.
For more information and pictures from the evening visit www.communitybicyclenetwork.org
10)
Check often for updated road repair information!
Check this website 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
11)
Upcoming CAN-BIKE courses
For details visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike or call 416-392-1311.
Saturday June 10
CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshop, 9:30am-4:30pm, Exhibition Place (CAN-BIKE 2 pre-requisite) Join the team of CAN-BIKE instructors at $18.41 - $20.32/hr. Four-day course.
Kids CAN-BIKE
9:30-3:30pm, High Park
CAN-BIKE 1
9-3pm, Centennial
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women
1-5pm, Agincourt
Sunday June 11
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
10-1pm, Etobicoke
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
2-5pm, Etobicoke
Thursday June 15
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
6-9pm, Trinity Bellwoods
Sunday June 18
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm, Agincourt
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
1-4pm, Agincourt
Saturday June 24
Teens CAN-BIKE ? Bicycle basics for 14-17 yrs
9:30-3:30pm, High Park
Sunday June 25
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
9-12pm, Etobicoke
1-4pm, Etobicoke
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
10-1pm, Birchmount
2-5pm, Birchmount
Sunday July 2
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm, Oriole
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
1-4pm, Oriole
Tuesday July 4
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
6-9pm, Trinity Bellwoods
Wednesday July 5
CAN-BIKE 2
6-9pm, Lamport
Saturday July 8
Kids CAN-BIKE
8:30-12:30pm, High Park
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm or 1-4pm, Etobicoke
Kids CAN-BIKE
1-5pm, Birchmount
1:30-5:30pm, High Park
Sunday July 9
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm or 1-4pm, Etobicoke
9-12pm, Agincourt
11-2pm or 3-6pm, Trinity Bellwoods
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
1-4pm, Agincourt
12)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, June 19, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, June 28, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Education and Safety Subcommittee
Monday, June 26, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, June 13, 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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