Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1)
Behind the Scenes with the 2006 Kids CAN-BIKE Camp
The Bicycle Safety Partnership launched the 2006 KIDS CAN-BIKE CAMP to give children the opportunity to experience safe cycling as a form of recreation, transportation and healthy living. A total of eight, week-long camps ran between July and August with an average of 10 kids in attendance for a grand total of 81 children participating for the summer. Many of the children were identified by agencies working within the Bicycle Safety Partnership. These children were provided with bikes and equipment for the duration of camp, which they took home for keeps on the last day! Please visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike/camp/ to view the photos and to learn what bike camp is all about.
2)
New Bike Lanes
In accordance with the Bike Plan, bike lanes are to be implemented on Kingston Road from Port Union to the Glen Rouge park area this spring as part of the Port Union/Kingston intersection improvements.
3)
Viewmount Park
The trail connection in Viewmount Park was recently installed. Viewmount Park is located immediately east of the W.R. Allen Road, mid-way between Eglinton Avenue and Lawrence Avenue. Currently there is no continuous north-south bicycle route in this part of the City except Bathurst Street. The new path in Viewmount Park will link proposed on-street bicycle routes on Marwood Court at the south end and Shermount Avenue at the north end. Those will in turn provide connections to the Kay Gardiner Beltline to the south, and to Glencairn Avenue to the north. New signs for the on-street routes should be installed in 2007. The 3.5 metre wide asphalt path is meant to be a multi-purpose trail, not just for cyclists. The existing opening in the guide rail at Marwood Court will be modified to provide better access for trail users. There are some minor restoration sod repairs to be done in the spring and adjustments to the access points.
4)
2007 CAN-BIKE - New courses and new location
Dude, bikes are the new cars! Well, maybe not quite yet...but it's a sure-fire way to get the environment on the right track and the youth movement for a greener Toronto is growing stronger every warm winter day - so tell all the teens you know that Parks and Recreation has added a CAN-BIKE course just for them. As they ditch their cars for the way cooler bike, have them check out the new Teens CAN-BIKE program available for 14-17 year olds at High Park in June and July this year. Our 2006 pilot program filled up very early - so register soon. And because we know friends like to stick together, gather a group of five and call the CAN-BIKE office and we'll help set up a 'private' course if the public courses are filled. 416-392-1311.
For all of our north end subscribers who waited patiently for a CAN-BIKE location, the wait is over! York University Athletic Training Centre is the newest CAN-BIKE course location. Check the schedule www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike for details and let us know if we can serve you better.
5)
Good Work, Good Money
Remember when you first learned to ride a bike and how excited and free it made you feel? These days, a lot of adults some 30, 45, and even 60 years old are learning to ride a bike for the very first time. If you want to be part of the unforgettable experience for them and for other cyclists young and old, mark your calendar with the following dates to get started with your CAN-BIKE Instructor Training: May 5, 6, 12th. Call the office at 416-392-1311 or visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike and view the schedule for complete details.
CAN-BIKE Instructors learn effective teaching skills useful inside and outside of the classroom. You'll also make up to approx. $22/hr! Your students are eager, new and experienced cyclists who want to increase their skills to make riding in traffic a safe and practical transportation/recreation option. Dream job? Call now.
6)
The L Word
LAYERING. Looks like winter arrived after all but that's no reason to stop cycling! It's all about layers. Proper layers can do more than one big, fluffy down blanket and a mug of cocoa. But just what are the best layers to make your short or long cold weather bike trip most enjoyable? Visit www.toronto.ca/bug/cwc_warmdry.htm#layering to find out.
7)
A Great Project comes to a Sad End - Bike Share
If you haven't heard the news already, here it is, in an open letter from CBN:
"It is with regret that I am writing to tell you that, after six years of award-winning programming and service, the Community Bicycle Network's beloved BikeShare program will not be operating during the 2007 season due to a lack of funding."
While we will not be able to deliver the program, the Community Bicycle Network continues to explore opportunities that may allow some form of bike-lending program to continue next year.
We are extremely proud of the BikeShare program and this year's highlights include:
- Receiving the 2006 Bicycle Friendly Business Award from the City of Toronto in the Best Overall category.
- Signing up member number 2000.
- Being featured at the Car Free Cities Conference in Bogota, Colombia where participants from across the Americas and Europe learned about the program.
- Media coverage in Green Living Magazine, EYE, NOW, and 24 Hours and CBC Metro Morning Show.
- BikeShare Mechanic, John Hanje, acted as a consultant for a bicycle ride and repair feature for OWL magazine.
- Continuing to be contacted by communities and groups across North America most recently: New Haven, Connecticut and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Saskatchewan; Cornell University and St. Christopher's House in Toronto.
Bike lending programs in North America are new and unique experiments in providing real transportation alternatives for real people. BikeShare was Canada's largest and longest-running project of this kind and this program's experience can be built on and learned from. Running a successful community-based bike-lending program is dependent on the participation, support and buy-in of the partners it works with and clients it serves. It also requires constant evaluation and innovation. In recognition of this, early in 2007, CBN will be consulting with BikeShare stakeholders in order to explore options for the future of community-based bike programming in Toronto.
We are profoundly grateful to our volunteers, BikeShare hub locations, members and sponsors whose time, support and generosity have made BikeShare possible for the past six years. These contributions put Toronto on the map in delivering quality community-based sustainable transportation.
While this is a difficult step for CBN, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate BikeShare's six years of phenomenal success and to thank everyone who participated in its success.
Have a million dollar idea? Let them know: info@communitybicyclenetwork.org
8)
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute review of helmets being sold in 2007
Quoted from http://www.bhsi.org/helmet07.htm
Trends this year:
There are new helmets in 2007 that are worth a look if you are inclined to replace yours. There are some new models appearing with the rounder, smoother profile that we think is best for crashing, now called the "compact" shape. At least one of them was rated superior by Consumer Reports lab testing last year. Other than that there is no major technological advance that compels you to replace your current helmet.
The biggest news for 2007 is that rounder, smoother "compact" or "commuter" models are growing in number. The older elongated, pointy styles are beginning to look dated. We have been waiting a long time for the fashion pendulum to swing, and it is happening now.
At the high end, you will still find big vents and high prices, but no verifiable improvement in safety performance. You can pay more than $200 if you want to, but Target and Wal-Mart both have models that meet the same CPSC impact standard at an everyday price of $7.14. And for about $15 they both have better looking and better fitting models. Wal-Mart has a round, smooth Bell Impulse for $25 that is molded in the shell, a high quality construction technique.
Ring fit systems, the "one size fits all" solution, are taking over the less expensive lines. They work well for some, but not at all for others, who find that they have to tighten the ring uncomfortably to get a stable fit. To compare on your own head, try a Bell Citi and Metro, essentially the same helmet except for the fit systems.
There are no new radical impact foams this year.
Carbon fiber use is spreading slowly, limited by fiber price increases over the last year. It does allow lighter construction, but there is so little of it used in a bike helmet that the weight saved is minimal except in heavy BMX helmets. Manufacturers are searching for ways to use titanium, another expensive product that saves very little weight in a helmet. The Kevlar craze is mostly behind us.
Strap adjustment fittings are not improving. We find many of them slip too easily, resulting in the "strap creep" that is responsible for many of the too-loose straps out there. We have noted the really good ones. You can check that when you buy.
Strap anchors on many helmets still stick up above the shell and are an unnecessary impediment to smooth sliding when you hit the pavement. The best helmets put the anchors below the surface of the shell, or at least recess the anchors to make a smooth surface.
We recommend looking for a helmet that:
- Meets the CPSC bicycle helmet standard.
- Fits you well.
- Has a rounded, smooth exterior with no major snag points.
- Has no more vents than you need. More vents = less foam.
We always recommend checking Consumer Reports for brand and model recommendations. They had a helmet article in their June, 2006 issue, but tested only a fraction of the models described below. The article is free.
9)
Ahead in the Bike Lane
The Toronto Cycling Committee has not yet been re-established by City Council. Therefore no meeting dates have been scheduled. We anticipate that Council will discuss special committees at their March Council meeting. Check back for future updates.
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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