Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) December 10 Cycling Committee meeting news
On December 10, the Cycling Advisory Committee met and heard about the issue of the double row of offset bollards on the Martin Goodman Trail at the Boulevard Club and Lakeshore Blvd. West. There have been complaints from some cyclists that the bollards are an excessively difficult calming measure in a part of the Trail that is widely used by commuting cyclists and others.
The Committee agreed to instruct Transportation staff to look into alternatives to the double rows of bollards where the Trail meets the driveway to the Boulevard Club. Specifically, the Committee recommended staff inquiries into:
- The removal of the second row of bollards and review alternative bollard configuration on the Martin Goodman Trail at the Boulevard Club;
- Possible traffic flow improvements in and around the entrance to the Boulevard Club, including the feasibility of restricting left turn in and left turn out from Lakeshore Boulevard East; and
- The development of a policy and standards regarding the installation of bollards in the City of Toronto.
2) Bike Winter Festival!
For the first time ever Toronto will host 'Bike Winter' a festival of cycling during the coldest time of the year. The calendar will be ongoing between December 22 and March 1.
There are two ways to get involved:
- Organising and listing your cycling events online.
- Attending Bike Winter events. For example: the City of Toronto will host the "Coldest Day Of The Year Ride" on Wednesday, January 30 2008. Noon at City Hall.
3) Bike Week poster art contest still on!
Call for submissions continues for our Biking in Toronto Poster Contest.
This coming spring, 3,000 full colour posters will be printed and distributed to Public Libraries, Community Centres, Civic Centres, Bike Event holders, Environmental/Community Groups, etc. Toronto artists are invited to submit their works to be showcased in this initiative.
Please submit BEFORE Friday, January 4, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Because the ultimate goal is posters, 2D media such as graphic design pieces, photos or prints are preferable. No sculptures/installations please, however, if you have a good photo of a bike themed sculpture etc., then that may be eligible. Individuals may submit multiple works.
You can send e-mail attachments or questions to bikeweek@toronto.ca to show us roughly what you have in mind, that will facilitate things. Or mail to:
Attn: Art Show/Poster contest
East York Civic Center
850 Coxwell Avenue, 1st floor
Toronto, ON M4C 5R1
More information.
4) Notice of Bike Week stakeholders meeting & Bike Art Show opening
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, 10 January, 2008 there will be a meeting for Bike Week 2008 event planners. The meeting will take place at the opening of the Bike Winter Art Show in the Rotunda at Metro Hall, 55 John Street. Stakeholders should be there to advise the Bike Week Co-ordinator of their plans for next Spring.
5) Cold weather cycling tips
If you have never cycled in cold weather before, you will be surprised at how warm you will be!
Cycling is an aerobic activity, which means that your body will produce heat — a lot more heat than walking. Most first-time cold weather cyclists find that they have overdressed and are too hot and even sweating by the end of rides. More information.
6) Don Valley (Crothers Woods) mountain bike trail news
A) Loblaws Trailhead: After many years of planning, the Loblaws trailhead became a reality when it was constructed by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in October. The new trailhead will eventually house a bulletin board for park users, a comprehensive trail map, a Crothers Woods interpretive sign and trail etiquette guidelines. The trailhead will also be home to a memorial stone and plaque in commemoration of the late Thomas Hauser, an individual who spent countless hours helping the City of Toronto and the International Mountain Biking Association improve the quality and sustainability of the trail system in Crothers Woods.
In May of 2008 the City of Toronto will host an official opening of the trailhead for everyone from the Crothers Woods community.
B) City-Wide Mountain Biking Strategy: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Strategic Services Branch, is developing a City-Wide Mountain Biking Strategy. The goal of the strategy is to determine the best way to provide recreational opportunities for off-road cyclists, while balancing environmental protection and safety concerns. PFR will be holding meetings with stakeholders over the next few months. More information will be sent out in December.
Contact Jennifer Kowalski at jkowals@toronto.ca or 416-392-7203 for information on how to get involved.
C) Double Track Construction in Sun Valley: From December 1st to 8th, a short section of trail will be closed in Sun Valley for improvements. The section of the trail to be closed is from the entrance at #91 Bayview, along the west bank of the Don River to the Beechwood Bridge. The trail, which has been eroded for several years, will be re-graded and re-aligned to meet the standards set out in the Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy. This area will become the first section of trail designated as beginner double track. For more information on future trail construction plans, please refer to the map on page 39 of the Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy (PDF).
Maps have been posted at all access points into Crothers Woods and Sun Valley to notify users of the closure.
D) Pottery Rd. Trail Closures and Re-alignment: As many of you may have noticed, two 'fall lines' were closed again this year at Pottery Road. These lines were closed due to environmental and safety concerns, and to encourage the use of the new switchback trail built by volunteers. Another group of volunteers from Deloitte Canada worked for a full day in August to close off the trails by digging up compacted areas, filling eroded sections, and planting the area while using brush and logs to block access.
They also installed trailhead and trail closed signs.
7) New bike lockers at Guildwood GO Station!
There are now six new bike lockers at Guildwood GO train station in Scarborough. In addition, there are now 24 lockers at City Hall and 30 at Metro Hall (and some are still available!). Lockers are still just $10/month + gst with a minimum four month commitment. To apply.
8) New Year's Eve Cyclocross Race @ East Humber Bay Park
Midweek Cycling Club is holding its first-ever New Year's Eve bike race at 12:30 p.m. on December 31.
It will be a cyclocross circuit with one general race of 50 minutes with three graduated starts (fast, faster, fastest). The course will be on gravel paths with some grassy/snowy technical parts and barriers.
Registration ($15 pp.) begins at 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot tent; racers must hold UCI/CCA racing licences and no one-day licences will be provided.
The park is south of Lakeshore Blvd West at Park Lawn Road and Marine Parade Drive. More race details.
9) Ahead in the Bike Lane:
- New Year's Eve Cyclocross Race December 31, 12:30 p.m. at East Humber Bay Park
- Bike Week Poster Art Contest continues; deadline Friday, January 4, 2008 at 4 p.m.
- Bike Week Stakeholders Meeting January 10, 6-8 p.m. at Metro Hall Rotunda
- Coldest Day Ride January 30, 2008; noon at City Hall
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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