Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Toronto Cycling Advisory Commitee meeting: May 12, 7 p.m.
The agenda for the May meeting (City Hall, Committee Room 2:
- Liaison between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee
(7:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.)
- Identification and Promotion of Major Historic Paths, Trails and Routes in the City of Toronto.
(Presentation - 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Toronto Bike Plan update
(7:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.)
- TCAC Rider Information Pack
(7:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
- Update on the development of the BMX (sports/kids) Parks
(8:00 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.)
- Tracking of TCAC information
(8:10 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.)
- 2008 Bike Lane installations
(8:20 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
- (a) Request to receive a listing of the three batches of bike lanes that will be installed in 2008 totalling 50 km.
- (b) Consideration on how the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee can help to officially celebrate the installation of the bike lanes, e.g. ribbon and cake cutting ceremony, etc.
- Installation of cut-throughs
(8:30 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.)
- Toronto Urban Renewal Network (TURN) - South Kingsway-The Queensway Interchange (SKQI) Cycling Issues
(8:40 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.)
- City of Toronto - Use of Bicycle Courier Service versus a Vehicular Courier Service
(8:45 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.)
2) Islander Crit Road Races on Toronto Island: Sunday, May 11
ZM Cycle & Fitness presents races in all categories at Hanlan's Point on a 1 km circuit from 10:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Free to watch, $25 - $45 to participate.
Pre-register at www.ontariocycling.org. To speak to the organizer, call Ziggy at 416-652-0080. Lots of prizes and podiums no more than thirty minutes after each race.
3) "Un velo parfait" Exhibit: 19 May, City Hall Rotunda
Grade 8 students from Queen Alexandra PS were asked to imagine a dream bicycle. Come see the results of their creative work in the Rotunda at 100 Queen St. West.
4) Toronto Cyclist Union media launch: May 20
The Cyclists Union is a new member-based organization that representing cyclists from across Toronto. Join the team and Mayor David Miller as the new initiative is launched at Nathan Philips Square from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
5) Crothers Woods Trailhead grand opening
Come kick off the 2008 trailbuilding season with the grand opening of the re-built trailhead in Crothers Woods (Don Valley). Go for a sustainable trail building workshop, treeplanting, free BBQ, and a visit from KONA's demo tour. Meet in Loblaws parking lot, 11 Redway Rd (off Laird Drive). 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 416-791-3350
6) Sound Those Bike Bells with Chris McKhool
At high noon on Saturday, May 24 at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square, Chris McKhool, together with the Green Toronto Festival and 600 fine folks (OR MORE), are set to break a Guinness World Record for the Largest Bicycle Bell Ensemble to help raise awareness of environmental issues.
There, McKhool will be performing his trademark Earth, Seas & Air family concert -- topped off by an irrepressible finale where the public is invited to join in with their bicycle bells (either separate or attached to their bikes), and ring them in a resounding chorus for the enviroment during the performance of his new song, "Walk and Roll" (download the song for free at www.fiddlefire.com!). If 600 gather to sound those bells, McKhool, Toronto, the province and Canada as a whole - will break a Guinness World Record!!
7) Bells on Bloor Ride: May 25, 12 p.m.
Join 1000 cyclists in a pedal-powered parade from High Park to City Hall. Fighting climate change has never been so fun; get a free bell and ring out for bike lanes on Bloor; this is a permitted ride with police escort. Meet at High Park & Bloor. 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
8) City of Toronto Group Commute & Pancake Breakfast: May 26 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
The Group Commute will go off from these meeting points: High Park/Bloor in the west, Yonge and Lawrence in the north, Pape and Danforth and Kingston Rd and Dundas East in the east. In addition, groups will head for Yonge and Bloor from Bathurst south of St Clair, Bloor east of Bathurst and Woodbine and Danforth. All will converge at Yonge and Bloor and ride en masse down Yonge Street, arriving at Nathan Philips Square around nine a.m. for the traditional pancake breakfast. Be at your chosen start points by 7:30 to get that '08 Bike Month tee shirt!
9) Tweak My Ride free tune-up: May 27, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Urban Strategies's one-year young Bicycle User Group is inviting its employees and other BUGS to kick off Bike Month by bringing in their bikes for a free tune-up by Bike Pirates mechanics. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 416-340-9004.
10) Tour D'Afrique fundraiser: May 28, 6:30 - 10 p.m.
This fundraiser will feature stunning photos from Tour D'Afrique's three transcontinental bike expeditions. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of bikes for health care workers in Africa. 408 King Street West. 6:30-10:30 p.m. 416-364-8255.
11) Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure @ Bloor Cinema: May 29, 7 p.m.
Come see this classic cycling film with the added bonus of a live cast acting out the movie as it plays! With local indie music stars from Broken Social Scene, The Phonemes, Hidden Cameras, Sook- Yin Lee, and even Cycling Committee chair Councillor Adrian Heaps. A fundraiser for the new Toronto Cyclists Union. At the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. 416-596-0660
12) Toronto Criterium @ St. Lawrence Market: May 30, 6-9:30 p.m.
Friday night bike racing returns to Toronto, right in St. Lawrence Market! With over $20,000 in prizes split between two races (Open Masters/Elite Women at 6 p.m. racing for one hour + three laps, and elite men (pro and amateur) at 7:30 racing ninety minutes + three laps. Winners will receive a Cervelo racing bike valued at $5000. Come out to see the first St. Lawrence race since Steve Bauer won it in the 1980's. Start/finish line will be on Front St. East between Market and Scott streets. Free to watch, with plenty of great viewing angles on the fully barriered course (Front to Scott to Esplanade to Market to Front).
Presented in part by the City of Toronto, ZM Cycle & Fitness, and the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada.
13) Malvern Bicycle Classic Races in Scarborough: May 31
This is a first-ever set of races in the Malvern neighbourhood of Scarborough. The main event is an Ontario Youth Cup race with four different age categories from ten to sixteen years of age, and an open category adult race around noon. Up to $2000 in prizes offered with a field of 100 riders.
EVENTS START AT THE MALVERN COMMUNITY CENTRE - NEILSON & SEWELLS RDs. Organizer: Rick Meloff. Pre-registration will be possible at www.ontariocycling.org.
14) Explore Niagara by bike... Get there by train!
The Bike Train, which introduced bike racks onboard select VIA Rail departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls, will be operating on an expanded schedule this summer, beginning at the end of June. Book now at www.biketrain.ca. Space is limited!
15) CAN-BIKE news
Spots still available for CAN-BIKE Cycle Touring Course
The fun starts on May 17, at the Etobicoke Olympium and ends a few classes later at a campsite in Scarborough! Learn all you need to know about seeing the world by bike. Jacqui Snyder, the instructor, is a veteran CAN-BIKE instructor and owns AdvenTourUs, running and selling active adventure tours including international cycling trips. For more information about the CAN-BIKE Cycle Touring Course.
Digging out your bike for the season?
Prepare for the road by taking a CAN-BIKE course. Full course descriptions and locations available or by calling 416-392-1311.
Be sure to check the basics on your bike before you head out for your first ride. The ABC quick check just takes a minute and it will set you off riding with confidence.
Check your tires for:
- air, straight spokes and no wobble
- check that your handle bars are tight and straight, check your brakes and make sure your bell still rings!
- oil your chain and check and for any lags or broken cogs
You're ready to go!
CAN-BIKE, BTAC and Ryan Leech at the Green Living Show
A big thanks to BTAC for a great partnership with CAN-BIKE at the Green Living Show this year. If you attended any of the CAN-BIKE mini workshops or watched the master trials skills of Ryan Leech you know what we're talking about. If you missed it and want to catch up on your commuter or recreational riding skills take a full CAN-BIKE course. Call 416-392-1311 to find out which course is for you or check the schedule. For more on Ryan Leech check out his website and prepare to be amazed!
16) Ahead in the Bike Lane:
- Cycling Advisory Committee meeting: May 12, 7 p.m. at City Hall
- Islander Crit Road Races: May 11 all day at Hanlan's Point
- CAN-BIKE Cycle Touring Course: May 17, Etobicoke Olympium (Centennial Park)
- "Un velo parfait" Exhibit: May 19, City Hall Rotunda
- Toronto Cyclist Union media launch event: May 22 @ City Hall
- Crothers Woods Trailhead Grand Opening: May 24, 11 a.m.
- Sound Those Bike Bells with Chris McKhool, noon @ Dundas Square
- Bells on Bloor Ride: May 25, 12-1:30 p.m.
- City of Toronto Group Commute & Pancake Breakfast: May 26, 7:30-10:30 a.m.
- Tweak My Ride free tune-up: May 27, 9:30 - 5 p.m.
- Tour D'Afrique fundraiser: May 28, 6:30-10 p.m.
- Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure @ Bloor Cinema: May 29, 7-9 p.m.
- Toronto Criterium @ St Lawrence Market: May 30, 6 p.m./7:30 p.m.
- Malvern Bicycle Classic Races in Scarborough: May 31, noon, Malvern CC
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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