Issue # 128 April 2007

Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.

CONTENTS:

1) Bike Week 2007 - May 28 - June 10, 2007

Spring is here, and Bike Week is just around the corner. Thanks to the contribution of community event holders, Bike 'Week' now encompasses over a month, with plenty of free food, fun, group rides and over 40 absolutely free opportunities to hone your bike repair/maintenance skills.

Check out the online calendar for complete listings. Highlights will also be summarized on the revamped Bike Week 2007 Events page.

2) Kick-off the 2007 Cycling Season with the Toronto Bicycling Network!

3) Apply to join the Union Station Revitalization Public Advisory Group

Come aboard with us! The Union Station Revitalization Public Advisory Group assists in planning for and provides community input and advice to City staff and Toronto City Council about the restoration and revitalization of Union Station. Recent members include citizen members at large and citizen members representing organizations in the transportation, business, community/neighbourhood, heritage and tourism sectors.

Organizational representation from the following specific sectors is sought at this time:

1. Community /Neighbourhood (resident/ratepayer or similar associations operating within the area bounded by the Don River, Bathurst Street, Queen Street and Lake Ontario)
2. Heritage
3. Tourism

In addition to organizational representation, citizen members at large positions are available.

Interested? If you're interested in joining the Union Station Revitalization Public Advisory Group, see the criteria, or pick up an information package at the Access Toronto counter located in the rotunda at City Hall. For more information call 416-338-2361. Application letters should be submitted no later than April 26, 2007.

4) Bike lockers available

The City of Toronto Bicycle Locker Program provides secure bicycle parking by improving protection from theft, vandalism and inclement weather. As the Locker Program continues to expand, we will publicize new locations and vacancies that become available.

For the month of April 2007, there are 2 new Bike Locker locations open and ready to be filled

1. Metro Hall
2. St Lawrence Market

There are also currently some spots available at Bloor & Spadina (371 Bloor West), Finch Station and Exhibition Place.

For more information and to reserve your spot. It's first come-first served so don't wait too long!

5) CAN-BIKE TIP #1

Lane position on any urban street. Practically speaking...

Highway Traffic Acts across Canada tell cyclists to ride as far to the right as is practical. Those words are hard to interpret by the road using public. Some motorists feel cyclists should not be in the line of traffic and some cyclists interpret the law as meaning to ride on the sidewalk - but sidewalk cycling is illegal in most parts of Canada.

What it should mean is to ride far enough out from the curb that you can maintain a straight line and avoid debris, potholes and service covers. Drivers must leave a safety cushion space between their car and the cyclist so there is no chance of collision. This safety cushion is for the cyclist to manoeuvre in while cycling through traffic.

Cyclists are part of traffic and have all the rights and responsibilities that motorists have. Cyclists need room to manoeuvre in traffic and motorists need to provide that room by not crowding cyclists and compromising their safety. When motorists and cyclists are considerate of the space each type of user requires on the roadway, conflict is reduced and everyone is much safer.

A message from CAN-BIKE

With generous support of Transport Canada's Moving on Sustainable Transportation program. Sign up to take a CAN-BIKE course that suits your needs.

6) Bike Week set to host Free Movies on Dundas Square

Mark the last Friday of May on your calendar for a chance to watch 'An Inconvenient Truth' by Al Gore, as well as other cycling shorts, at a Public Screening on Dundas Square. Events on the Square will start at 6:30 p.m. with VIP speakers and guests. Join on your own, or check the Bike Week calendar for several group rides from around the city which plan to converge on the square.

This new addition for Bike Week will be a great chance for cyclists to meet in the evening, prior to the Group Commute and Breakfast the following Monday.

7) Bike racks get artistic touch

Thanks to the Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area and the Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation ten eye catching bike rack sculptures were installed by City staff on Monday April 16.

Local artist Phil Sarazen and members of PARC designed the racks while members of the Meeting Place, an adult drop-in centre operated by St. Christopher House, worked their magic with metal and a blow-torch. View the bike rack sculptures already in place.

Come down to the Parkdale Library, 1303 Queen St. W. at Cowan Ave., to see the beauties for yourself.

8) Cyclist volunteers needed for Meals on Wheels program

You cannot miss this exciting volunteer opportunity!
Visit St. Christopher House for more info.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers that can ride a bicycle, who are interested in delivering meals on their bicycles, to people who are homebound in the community. If you can ride a bicycle, are available during the weekday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and want to make a difference in your community, this cyclist volunteer opportunity is for you! We will provide you with training as well as an attached trailer to transport the meals on your bicycle.

Please call our Volunteer Program at 416-532-4828 ext. 105.

9) Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart - Sunday, June 3, 2007

Sign up today for some heart-pumping excitement!

The 20th annual Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart will be on Sunday, June 3, 2007. This is a chance to ride the DVP and Gardiner Expressway to help raise funds for heart and stroke research. For more information.

10) Ahead in the Bike Lane - Upcoming CAN-BIKE courses

Course registration and payment details or call 416-392-1311

April

Kids CAN-BIKE:
April 21, 28. 9-3:30 p.m., James S. Bell
April 28, May 5. 10-4:30 p.m. Palmerston Library

Adult Learn to Ride 1:
April 22 or April 29, 2-5 p.m. Etobicoke Olympium

May

CAN-BIKE 2:
May 5, 6, 12, 10-5 p.m., Allan Lamport Stadium

CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshop - CAN-BIKE 2 certification is a prerequisite:
Four-day course May 26, June 2,3,9: call 416-392-1311

Adult Learn to Ride 1:
May 13, 9-12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m., Etobicoke Olympium
May 19, 1-4 p.m., Trinity Bellwoods
May 20, 2-5 p.m., Etobicoke Olympium
May 23, 6-9 p.m., Trinity Bellwoods
May 26, 10-1 p.m. or 2-5 p.m., York University
May 27, 10-2 p.m., Agincourt

Adult Learn to Ride 2:
May 27, 2-5 p.m., Agincourt

Cycling Freedom for Women:
May 5, 12. 10-5 p.m., Etobicoke Olympium
May 26, June 2. 10-5 p.m., Scarborough Centennial

CAN-BIKE 1:
May 5, 12. 9-4 p.m., Agincourt
May 12, 19. 9:30-4:30 p.m., High Park

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.

Please take the time to forward this issue of Cycling News! to a fellow cyclist who may be interested.

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