Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Union Station to have a Bike Station!
Opening July 2008, Toronto will see its first ever Bike Station to be housed in Union Station in the York Street Teamway. There will be secure, covered parking spaces for 200+ bicycles, signed out on a membership basis. There is no waiting list as yet but when one becomes available, Cyclometer will let you know.
2) New Bike Lockers at Kennedy Station
There are now six bike lockers available for use at Kennedy Station, next to the elevator by the South parking lot. Lockers are still only $10/month + gst.
Find out how to apply. There are now fourteen locker locations around the city.
3) 2008 CAN-BIKE Schedule released
Discover the freedom of safe cycling. Courses for beginners and cycling enthusiasts of all ages and skill level are available at recreation centres across the city. Interactive CAN-BIKE demonstrations will be staged at all the big shows this year. Visit us at the Toronto International Bicycle Show, Canada Blooms, and The Green Living Show! For more information call 416-392-1311.
4) Please Don't Squeeze - new web page for drivers and cyclists
Learn the latest tips and information about how to share the road safely with large vehicles. Large vehicles often take up the full width of a lane so it is not safe for bikes and trucks, buses, delivery vans, etc. to try to share the lane.
Riding a bike? It's best to stay well behind large vehicles and never squeeze through between the vehicle and the curb. Keep a safety cushion of space around you. Be especially cautious around trucks at intersections, and stay out of their blind spots.
Driving a large vehicle? Never squeeze the cyclist between your vehicle and the curb. Cyclists need a safety cushion of space. It's best to change lanes to safely pass a cyclist. If you're about to stop or turn, stay behind and give the cyclist lots of room.
5) CAN-BIKE Cycle Touring course - NEW for 2008!
Learn how to plan your own cycle tour so you can go where you want, when you want and venture out in confidence. Based out of the Etobicoke Olympium in the west end of Toronto, this course includes riding and classroom sessions.
LEARN: How to ride with traffic, maintain your energy over long distances, select appropriate clothing and equipment and how to source accommodation for your trip.
THIS COURSE CONCLUDES WITH A WEEKEND CAMPING TRIP INCLUDING 2 FULL-DAY RIDES TO AN OVERNIGHT CAMP-OUT AT GLEN ROUGE CAMPGROUND IN SCARBOROUGH.
Must provide own equipment. Registration is $225. Food and camping fees are the student's responsibility. Registration starts on Saturday May 1, 2008. Barcode 1486030. Register on-line or call 416-338-4386.
6) Call for City volunteers for the Bike Show
If you would like to volunteer for the City's Bike Show display
(March 7-9 at the CNE), please get in touch with Alex Bowron at
416-338-5076 or bugs@toronto.ca. Volunteers will get free admission to the show. Get in touch soon!
7) New e-mail for Bike Month: cyclingevents@toronto.ca
For all those proposing an event to be part of Bike Month 2008, direct your inquiries to cyclingevents@toronto.ca, NOT bikeweek@toronto.ca, which is now decommissioned. Any mail sent to the old address will bounce back.
8) Icycle Race in Dufferin Grove Park, Saturday, February 16!
The annual "Icycle Race" will be held at 6 p.m. on February 16 in the hockey rink at Dufferin Grove Park (Dufferin Street south of Bloor Street West). Entrance fee for racers is $10 per person. Watching the race is absolutely free as always and promises to be thoroughly entertaining and exciting. The main races feature wheels with studded "ice tires" and are usually followed by a rubber-only scratch race. Watch for out-of-town racers from as far away as Montreal. If you need any additional knowledge, contact The Bike Joint 416-532-6392.
9) Coldest Day of the Year Ride report
We are pleased to report that the first-ever Coldest Day of the Year Ride went off as a big success on January 30. Over 40 cyclists rode a frigid, blustery and fun ride from City Hall (where Councillor A.A. Heaps made a short speech before riding) to Metro Hall in -20C wind-chill conditions.
In the Rotunda of Metro Hall a special hot chocolate was served (made from a bicycle-powered blender, no less), while people admired the 2008 line of racing and commuter bikes on display from ZM Cycle Fitness and learned about the new online bike registry Toronto Police have up and operating to help with the recovery of stolen bikes in the city. People also signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer next summer, and learned about Smart Commute and Bike Pirates.
The event was covered extensively in all media formats including on CP 24, CBC radio, and in the Globe and Mail, and 24 Hours, among others.
Thanks to all who came out for the premier Coldest Day. We'll make Bike Winter even bigger next year.
10) Snow Removal Hotline
Frustrated with snow and ice-filled bike lanes?
If a bike lane you use hasn't been cleared of snow twelve hours after a snowfall, call 416-338-SNOW (7669), and report it to the City.
11) Ahead in the Bike Lane:
- Icycle Races, February 16 at 6 p.m., Dufferin Grove Park Ice Rink
- Toronto International Bike Show March 7-9, 2008 at the CNE
- CAN-BIKE Cycle Touring course registration begins May 1
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.
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