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 Committee meets November 3
The next meeting of the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee is Monday, November 3. The agenda is not currently finalized.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Committee Room 2 at City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
(The Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee is designed to advise City Council and its departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, on the design, development and delivery of bicycle policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling within the City of Toronto. The goal of the committee is to provide a liveable and environmentally friendly city that is accessible and safe for people of all ages and abilities to get around by bicycle and to ensure the role of cycling in a transportation system appropriately balanced among all road users.)
2) Power-Assisted/Electric Bicycles on the agenda
The Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee will discuss power-assisted/electric bicycles at the Monday, November 3, meeting (City Hall, Committee Room 4, 7 p.m.). A representative from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be presenting information on the three-year pilot project and on the plans to evaluate the project prior to drafting final legislation on power-assisted/electric bicycles.
Background information from the Ministry's website:
"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 its position on the original intent of the pilot when final legislation is drafted."
Please plan to attend the meeting.
3) Off-road news - More new trails and a trailbuilding day
Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Sustainable Trails Initiative is pleased to announce that a new section of multi-use advanced single trail in Crothers Woods is now open. Please respect the remaining closed section of trail that is not completed. Please send us any comments or feedback you may have about the new trail.
We would like to thank everyone from the community who helped complete and open the new trail this fall! A special thanks goes out to Tim Charles from TORBA who donated, made, and installed the beautiful wood trail signs for us.
Upcoming Trail Building events
Dates: October 18 & 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Crothers Woods
Join the City of Toronto's Sustainable Trails Initiative and IMBA to continue the trail improvements in Crothers Woods. Activities may include re-routing trails, rock armouring over exposed tree roots, water crossings, installing trail components and planting native trees and shrubs. Please bring a lunch (which can be purchased at the Loblaws) and come prepared for outdoor work (work boots, long pants, sunscreen etc). Call 416-338-DIRT (3478) for more details.
Toronto Sustainable Trails Initiative:
trails@toronto.ca or 416-338-DIRT (3478)
4) Toronto Cycling Map for 2009: Your input requested
City staff are currently developing the 2009 Toronto Cycling Map - and they want to hear from you. Have you noticed any incorrect or out-of-date information in the text or map surface? Do you have a suggestion for a specific area on the map that could be clearer? Have you noticed a missing street, or other omission?
Please send all comments to cyclometer@toronto.ca by October 31st. Please specify '2009 Bike Map' in the subject line.
5) New Bike Lanes update - Royal York Road
The installation of the a new bike lane has commenced on Royal York Road from Cavell to Evans Avenues. This will add 0.8 km to the bikeway network, and will provide a connection between existing bicycle lanes along Royal York Road to the north and south, towards Lake Shore Blvd. West. Also, the three kilometres of lanes at Birchmount from St Clair East to Kingston Road are now operational.
6) Bicycle Friendly Business Awards nominations still open
Nominations are still open for the annual Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. Please nominate a bicycle friendly business for any of the following categories:
Best Large Business
Best Small Business
Best Skills Development
Best Bike Parking
Best Overall
Deadline for nominations is December 1. Online nomination form.
The awards ceremony will take place on January 20, at the Gladstone Hotel, and will be hosted by the Toronto Cyclists Union. Come and join the celebration.
7) Register your Bicycle User Group today!
The Bicycle User Group (BUG) Network exists to encourage and support cyclists who wish to improve conditions for cycling in their workplace, neighbourhood, community, or school. Check out information on how to start and maintain a BUG and think about registering your own Bicycle User Group today.
8) 2nd Annual Bike Winter Art show, January 2008
The Bike Art show will take place again this year in the Metro Hall Rotunda. Submissions for this show will be judged and finalists will be eligible to be printed as Bike Month posters and publications for the spring. Please submit your photos, or graphics based artworks and spread the word to all bicycle artists you know. Exhibition setup and reception dates TBA. Contact cyclingevents@toronto.ca or check the website for more information.
9) ZM Turkey Cross Bike Races October 12 at Cedarvale Park
Fall is here but racing bikes have not been hung up just yet. Cyclocross racing, a hybrid of road and off-road racing, is a sport that continues to grow in North America and in Toronto. On Saturday October 12, 'cross races will go all day long from 10 a.m. in Cedarvale Park (St Clair and Bathurst area), with elite men racing at 1 p.m. for one hour.
Cyclocross features 2-4 km circuits, multiple barriers to be hurdled, short hills, stair climbs, and a variety of surfaces.
To race: Ontario Cycling Association
To watch: just show up with (or even without) a cowbell.
10) Toronto International Cyclocross Races November 8-9 weekend at Centennial Park
Midweek Cycling Club presents not one but two 'cross races' at Centennial Park in Etobicoke again this year, featuring an elite field with professionals coming from as far away as Oregon and even France to compete for UCI race series points at the highest level of the sport in North America. The Saturday and Sunday races will feature totally different courses through Centennial, with the Sunday course featuring the 600 metre ski hill. All levels of racing will be featured for men, women, juniors and kids between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with elite races starting at 1 p.m. And remember to bring your cowbell!
11) Scarborough Bike Lockers available
There are currently bike lockers available for long-term bike parking at Guildwood Station, Scarborough Civic Centre, and Kennedy Subway Station. Lockers are $10/month + gst with a minimum four month commitment to a maximum of one year, renewable. Get safe, weather-proof parking for your commuter bike before the weather gets messy.
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.
Please take the time to forward this issue of Cyclometer to a fellow cyclist who may be interested.
To change your e-mail address or edit your subscription, please unsubscribe and subscribe again with the new information.
