Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Sustainable Transportation Report amended and adopted by City Council 23 October
At its meeting on October 23, City Council approved the joint report from Transportation Services and Transportation Planning titled "Sustainable Transportation Initiatives: Short-term Proposals". Below is a list of amended recommendations, which Council made and that relate to cycling and walking.
Pedestrians:
2.d. direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in accordance with Recommendation 2.c.iii., above, to evaluate and implement "pedestrian scramble phases" on a pilot project basis, at the following intersections:
i. Bloor Street and Bay Street;
ii. Bloor Street and Yonge Street;
iii. Yonge Street and Dundas Street; and
iv. Bay Street and Dundas Street;
Cycling:
3.f. direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on options available to significantly improve cycling safety at intersections by:
i. identifying approximately three to four intersections on Queen Street or another street with a high volume of bicycle use and a high incidence of car-bicycle collisions at which to pilot "leading bicycle intervals"; and
ii. identifying approximately three to four intersections along College Street or another street that currently has a bike lane and a high volume of bicycle use at which to pilot the creation of "bike boxes".
2) CAN-BIKE News - 2007 Kids CAN-BIKE Camp Report
Visit the new website: www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike/camp/index.htm and see how 78 more kids became cycling experts this summer at the 2007 Kids CAN-BIKE Camp, administered by Transportation Planning and Parks Forestry and Recreation. This action-packed camp is where kids get brand new cycling gear and learn extensive safe cycling education at no cost to the family. Thanks to generous sponsorship each child attends camp for one week and takes home brand new cycling equipment.
Sponsors are: Ontario Cycling Association, Canadian Tire Foundation for Families Jump Start Program, Children?s Aid Foundation, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Ministry of Transportation High Park Bicycle Club, Black?s, Ward?s Island Association.
Plans for a 2008 camp are already underway!
3) Centennial Park Masterplan - Second Stakeholder Workshop November 22nd, 2007
The City of Toronto Parks Forestry and Recreation Division is holding a second workshop for the Stakeholders of Centennial Park. The purpose of this workshop is to present the latest master plan draft and to receive comments and further recommendations to improve it. The latest draft was developed based on suggestions from previous community, stakeholder and staff meetings. Issues such as funding, phasing and park programming will be discussed. The evening will commence with a formal presentation from the consultant, followed by a working session with participants.
Date: November 22nd, 2007
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Etobicoke Civic Centre Main Boardroom (Council Chamber)
399 The West Mall, Toronto, Ontario M9C 2Y2
Please join City staff and the consultant team for this important meeting.
For more information, please contact Adriana Gomez, Parks Planner, at 416-394 8765 or by e-mail at agomez@toronto.ca.
4) Grey Cup Weekend Freestyle BMX Jam at CN Tower
GREY CUP JAMS are happening November 22 to 25. Right downtown in front of the CN Tower on Bremner Boulevard.
The course goes up on Wednesday November 21 and we'll hope for the best. The course has to be dry to be open.
If everything goes right, there will be a "locals" comp Friday November 23 at 2:00pm and a big jam open to all Sunday November 25 at 1:30. No charge for either event, but you've got to be on site on Saturday to sign up for one of the 40 spots available Sunday. Live music. Great course. Prizes. Please note: there's no guarantee
that this will happen. The events if the conditions are safe. If you're in town anyway, come ride the course and hope for good weather!
Next summer the BMX course will be up for free riding and summer camp programmes. This past summer, Jamie Burke and Chris Silva introduced over 400 kids to freestyle BMX through Parks and Recreation camps. The camps took place on the BMX course (from torontoBMXjam07) that was installed at Wallace Emerson Park (Dufferin and Dupont). They both did an amazing job not only with the kids but with all local riders in helping to improve the quality of the riding with everyone.
If you wish to volunteer at the BMX Jam get in touch with Mike Heaton: torontobmx@hotmail.com
5) Toronto-Niagara Bike Train Initiative A Resounding Success!
The pilot year of the Bike Train Initiative was a resounding success! The service officially launched with 2 media events on June 5 and operated over 4 weekends during the summer, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from passengers, industry and the media. The Bike Train also recently won the "First Annual I Bike T.O. Award" and was acknowledged at "The Trail Ahead: Beyond Regeneration" conference in Toronto.
The Bike Train generated over 25 media hits with a reach of 3+ million including significant coverage in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CTV News and Spacing Wire. The project website received over 20,000 unique visitors from around the world in just 6 months. In addition, 350 have signed up to the E-list, 70 Bike Train passengers and supporters have joined the "Take the Train - Bring Your Bike!" Facebook group, while others have posted their unique, often humorous travel stories on their weblogs.
For a full media list and web links visit www.biketrain.ca.
In total, 286 passengers travelled on the Bike Train with a notable diversity of age, abilities and group affiliations. There was an average of 90% capacity on Saturday departures from Toronto; 2 out of 4 were at 100% capacity.
Passenger evaluation survey results indicated:
- 71% had never, or very rarely travelled (less than once a year) to the Niagara Region to cycle
- 89% travelled with family and/or friends
- 72% stayed overnight
- 57% were between 30 and 50
- 55% indicated an annual household income of over $75,000
- 94% indicated they were very likely or definitely going to take the Bike Train in the future
Planning is now underway to expand the Bike Train service in 2008 including more convenient departures to Toronto. We are currently seeking letters of support and sponsorships from organizations and businesses to help secure vital funding for project development and operations. If you would like more information or a "letter template" please contact Justin Lafontaine, Project Lead and Founder, at 416-338-5090 or jlafont@toronto.ca.
For updates and information stay tuned to www.biketrain.ca.
6) Folding Bike demonstration
The next Folding Bike demonstration and ride event will be held just in time for the holidays!
Why: To demonstrate folding bikes, promote cycling, and have a fun ride around the financial district.
When: Tuesday, December 11 @ 11:45am-12:45pm
Where: Toronto-Dominion Centre (south-west corner of King at Bay)
What to Wear: Business dressy or your Sunday best! (holiday reds and greens encouraged)
Why: To demonstrate folding bikes, promote cycling, and have a fun ride around the financial district.
7) Ahead in the Bike Lane:
1. Centennial Park Stakeholder Workshop, 22 November at 6pm, E.C.C. council chamber
2. Grey Cup BMX Jam @ CN Tower, 22-25 November
3. Folding Bike Rally, Tuesday 11 December 11:45am
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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