Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) New Pedestrian Priority Phase at signalized intersections
A Pedestrian Priority Phase, also known as an exclusive pedestrian phase or Barnes Dance, is a traffic signal phase that allows pedestrians to cross a signalized intersection in all directions while traffic is stopped. When a Pedestrian Priority Phase is in effect, a red signal is shown for all vehicles (this includes bicycles) while the 'walk' display is shown in all directions for pedestrians, including diagonally across the intersection.
This activity is used at intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic. It is intended to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles by providing exclusive phases for pedestrians. If cyclists wish to cross on the Pedestrian Priority Phase, they must walk their bikes through the intersection.
Any cyclist who rides their bike through the red light during the Pedestrian Priority Phase would be contravening the Highway Traffic Act Section 144(18).
The fine and associated cost for motorists or cyclists running a red light is $190.00. See the Highway Traffic Act (PDF).
The first intersection chosen for a Pedestrian Priority Phase is Yonge St/Dundas St. Future locations being considered include: Bloor St./Bay St., Yonge St./Bloor St. and Bay St./Dundas St.
The Pedestrian Priority Phase was one of the enhanced pedestrian features identified in Toronto's Sustainable Transportation Initiative Plan and is consistent with the policies and objectives contained in the City's Official Plan and Climate Change Plan.
The Pedestrian Priority Phase is also called the "scramble" phase, "scramble" light, "scramble" corners and "Barnes Dance". The latter was named after Henry Barnes, a prominent traffic engineer who was credited as the first to use this system of pedestrian crossings in such United States cities as Kansas City, Kan., Vancouver, Wash., Denver, Co., Baltimore, Md., and New York City. The terminology came from a newspaper article that stated "Barnes made the people so happy they're dancing in the streets."
Currently, several cities around the world use the Pedestrian Priority Phase including Tokyo, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Ca., Miami, Fla. and Denver Co.
In addition, Auckland, NZ., and New South Wales, Aus. also use this technology and several other Australian cities use other types of Pedestrian Priority Phases.
2) Crothers Woods Trails update
New Sustainable Single Trail in Crothers Woods
The City of Toronto's Sustainable Trails Initiative is continuing the trail work in Crothers Woods. A new section of multi-use intermediate single trail has been completed and opened in Crothers Woods,in addition to the trail opened earlier this summer. In total, 990m of new sustainable trail was built with 1137m of degraded and eroded trail closed and restored. Please respect all new trail closures and areas designated for forest restoration. Feel free to send any comments or feedback you may have about the new trail to trails@toronto.ca or call 416-338-DIRT (3478).
Wet Trail Conditions
Please check trail conditions before using any trails as they should not be used by anyone after rainfall or while wet/muddy. Using wet and muddy trails can lead to unnecessary trail erosion and widening that may result in long lasting damage and unnecessary closures.
Trailbuilding School with the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the City of Toronto
September 13 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Todmorden Mills and Crothers Woods.
This is a rare chance to work with the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and improve your trailbuilding skills and knowledge.
IMBA is also offering a Club Care Session Friday September 12 at 7 p.m. at Todmorden Mills. Learn how to build, improve and sustain your bike club.
For more information and to register for the IMBA Trailbuilding School, contact trails@toronto.ca or call 416-392-DIRT (3478).
3) Bike lockers now at Scarborough Civic & Town Centre
There are six bike lockers now operational at Scarborough Civic Centre, our fifteenth location. The lockers are on the north side of the square next to the picnic tables. Some lockers are also still available at Kennedy Station and Guildwood GO station. Get yourself one.
4) Power-Assisted/Electric Bicycles update
The City is aware of a growing number of concerns about power-assisted/electric bicycles that are the scooter-style vehicles. On October 3, 2006, the Province of Ontario began a three-year pilot project to evaluate the use of e-bikes.
Here's what the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's website tells us about that evaluation:
"A commitment has been made to evaluate the pilot prior to its three-year expiry. The intent of the ministry's pilot was to allow e-bikes that look and operate like conventional bikes in order to promote a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to current transportation modes. The ministry has become aware of scooter-style vehicles that technically meet the pilot's e-bike definition, but not the intent, as they are not primarily operated by muscular power due to their heavy weight. Therefore, in addition to evaluating how safely the e-bike can integrate with other motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, the emergence of the scooter-style e-bikes requires the ministry to also assess if the pilot's original intent continues to be
appropriate. The ministry may clarify its position on the original intent of the pilot when final legislation is drafted."
Go to: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/
Cyclometer will keep you informed on how to have input into this process in a future issue.
5) Bike Month 2008 photo galleries now online
Thanks again to everyone who came out to participate and contribute to this year's Bike Month Events. To view photos of just a few of this year's almost 150 events, check out the new web gallery now online, with photos of the 2008 Group Commute, St. Lawrence Market Criterium, and the Sustainable Trail Building workshop in Crothers Woods (Don Valley).
6) CAN-BIKE Instructors needed
The CAN-BIKE program is looking to expand in 2009 due to a growing number of cyclists enrolling in CAN-BIKE courses and a wait list on most courses. If you think you would like to join the CAN-BIKE Instructor Team, make sure you sign up for a CAN-BIKE 2 course this fall. This certification is necessary prior to taking the CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshop. We are looking for cyclists who ride regularly on arterial roads, who have a keen interest in cycling and who have
some interest or experience in teaching, either with adults or children.
CAN-BIKE instructors work on a part time basis (evenings and weekends) from the end of April to the end of October. CAN-BIKE Instructor Certification is required in order to apply for CAN-BIKE teaching positions at Parks, Forestry and Recreation Community Centres. Additionally, there are positions open for summer work teaching in the Kids CAN-BIKE Camps.
The CAN-BIKE 2 course is being offered at Lamport Stadium on Sundays September 7th, 14th and 21st (an 18 hour course from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily). To register, call 416-338-4386 or check out the Toronto Fun Guide. Put yourself on the waitlist if the course is full, as we will make every effort to expand the course to accommodate everyone who signs up.
7) New TTC bus routes with bike racks on the way!
A complete list of Bike Rack Equipped bus routes (* denotes new routes, effective August 31) now in operation or on their way:
7 Bathurst
14 Glencairn
29 Dufferin
35 Jane *
36 Finch West *
38 Highland Creek
39 Finch East
41 Keele *
46 Martin Grove *
47 Lansdowne
53 Steeles East
60 Steeles West *
61 Avenue Rd North
63 Ossington
79 Scarlett Rd *
84 Sheppard West *
85 Sheppard East
98 Willowdale-Senlac
99 Arrow Rd *
101 Parc Downsview Park *
105 Dufferin North
106 York University * |
108 Downsview *
109 Ranee
120 Calvington *
125 Drewry
129 McCowan North
130 Middlefield *
131 Nugget *
132 Milner *
133 Neilson
134 Progress
161 Rogers Rd
191 Highway 27 Rocket *
193 Exhibition Rocket
308 Finch East *
309 Finch West *
310 Bathurst
313 Jane *
316 Ossington
329 Dufferin
353 Steeles East
385 Sheppard East |
(* denotes effective August 31, 2008)
More new Bus Bike rack routes will be anounced in November. Please visit the TTC page.
8) BMX News: Pro and Amateur Jam - September 2 & 3
There will be a pro BMX jam on TUESDAY, September 2 at Wallace Emerson Park on Dufferin north of Bloor.
Registration for the event starts at 10 a.m. with the PRO JAM EVENT beginning at 3 p.m. Jam format with 4 riders per 10 minute session for the 2 hour event. Maximum of 40 riders. Make sure you have a spot by registering in advance: torontobmx@hotmail.com or through www.torontobmx.ca. There are no registration fees. Barbecue lunch. Prizes. Come and enjoy a great day in the city.
AMATEUR RIDERS: The community and amateur event takes place on AMATEUR DAY, WEDNESDAY September 3. Registration opens at 10 a.m. with the AMATEUR JAM EVENT beginning at 3 p.m. Register for one of 40 free spots in advance through torontobmx@hotmail.com or www.torontobmx.ca. Day of the event, look forward to a barbecue at lunch time (12-2 p.m.), some great tunes for riding and prizes. It will be your last chance to ride the course this year: After the event the course is being moved off-site and into storage to allow for repairs to the ice rink it is sitting on.
9) Tour de Greenbelt: Four group rides in September
This September, join Mountain Equipment Co-op and The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation as we explore Ontario's Greenbelt by bike. Experience rural hospitality on any or all of four unique routes, each loaded with fun and educational activities to highlight distinct features of Ontario's 1.8 million acres protected Greenbelt, the world's most diverse region of its kind. Partnerships with local wineries and resorts allow us to finish each ride in style,
savouring fresh, local food and sharing stories of our Tour de Greenbelt experience.
Enjoy the moment and change the future. 100% of your Tour de Greenbelt pledge proceeds will be donated to participating cycling clubs, supporting safe and active cycling networks in southern Ontario so you can return again and again to cycle the bounty of Ontario's Greenbelt.
- Saturday, September 20, 2008
Rouge Park Loop
- Sunday, September 21, 2008
Newmarket to Lake Simcoe
- Saturday, September 27, 2008
Burlington to St. Catharines
- Sunday, September 28, 2008
Niagara-on-the-Lake Loop
For more details and to register for the first ever Tour de Greenbelt, please visit us online at www.TourdeGreenbelt.ca or at Mountain Equipment Co-op's Toronto location, 400 King Street West.
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The first issue of Cyclometer went out on November 24, 1989.
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