November 2009, Edition #159
Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
Contents:
Bicycle Friendly Business Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards.
Consider honouring your local business or organization by nominating them for a 2009 Bicycle Friendly Business Award. When you nominate a cycle friendly business, you're recognizing their efforts to encourage cycling in our city.
Previous award winners have proven their commitment to cycling through a variety of initiatives such as providing secure bike parking, shower and change facilities, and offering economic incentives for employees who cycle to work.
These businesses and organizations demonstrate leadership in encouraging cycling by employees and/or customers. By supporting this cycling friendly mentality, you will help in creating incentive for other businesses to follow suit.
The 2009 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, in partnership with the Toronto Cyclists Union.
Nominate a business or organization on-line or receive a paper copy by calling 416-338-5086 or emailing cyclingevents@toronto.ca.
Award categories:
- Best Bike Parking
- Bicycle-Friendliest Suburban Business
- Bicycle Commute
- Best Small Business (up to 99 employees)
- Best Large Business (100 employees and over)
- Best Skills Development
- Best Overall
The nomination deadline is Tuesday, December 17, 2009 at 5 p.m.
The City of Toronto would like to thank the generous sponsors of the 2009 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards: Toronto Cyclists Union, Dufflet Pastries, Live Metal Works.
CAN-BIKE Tips for Cycling Safety
The summer is over, but that does not mean that bikes need to be put away in storage. Cycling in the fall can be fun and rewarding, but you should take a few extra precautions to make sure that you stay safe.
-
Leaves
Leaves piled up near the curb can be dangerous for cyclists because they make the road narrower and because wet leaves are extremely slippery. When on your bike, make sure to avoid riding over leaf piles, and be extremely cautious if you need to ride over wet leaves: do not lean or brake sharply. When taking care of your front yard and driveway, make sure that you do not put leaves on the road: compost them, use them as mulch, or put them in yard waste bags for pick-up.
-
Lights
If you ride a bike regularly in fall and winter, be prepared to spend some of your riding time in the dark when visibility for all road users is reduced. Make sure other road users see you by wearing bright and/or reflective clothing and check that your front white light(s) and back red light(s) have fresh batteries. Communicate clearly with drivers and other cyclists by signalling all of your turns and stops. Check over your shoulder regularly to stay aware of all other road users around you.
-
Rain
When riding on wet pavement, be ready for reduced traction. Do not lean sharply into the turns and try to avoid especially slippery surfaces (such as metal plates and grates, road paint and wet leaves). Braking performance may be reduced, so slow down and be prepared for a greater stopping distance. Do not ride over puddles - you do not know what hazards they might be hiding.
Roncesvalles Avenue Streetscape Improvements
The City of Toronto has completed a Municipal Environmental Assessment (EA) study to examine potential streetscape improvements on Roncesvalles Avenue between Queen Street West and Dumas Street West.
A project file has been placed on public record for a 30 period ending Saturday 28 November. It will be available for review at:
- High Park Library, (228 Roncesvalles Ave)
- City Hall Library (100 Queen St West)
Public Consultation is an important part of this study. If you have any outstanding issues with this project, please address them to City staff listed below and we will attempt to seek a mutually acceptable resolution. You have the option of sending a written request to the Ministry of the Environment to make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II order) which addresses individual assessments. A copy of the assessment must also be sent to the City contact. The last date when those assessments can be received is Monday, November 30, 2009.
Maogosha Pyjor Public Consultation Unit
City of Toronto
Metro Hall, 19th Fl.
55 John St
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
toronto.ca/involved/projects
and:
The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment
12 Fl., 135 St Clair Avenue West
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
New Bike Station Policy on Length of Stay
The Bicycle Station has launched a new policy for the winter. The new policy states that the 48-hour rule will not be enforced and this will run from November to March.
This means that during this time you will be able to park your bicycle for a month at a time without any penalty. The same rates apply throughout the winter - $20 a month or $60 for four months. This is one way the Bicycle Station is making riding your bicycle more accessible during the winter. You are invited to come down and learn about Canada's first Bicycle Station and sign up to park your bicycle securely! The Toronto Bicycle Station is located at 20 York Street, on the west side of York Street, south of Front Street in the York West Teamway. (The Teamway is an enclosed pedestrian walkway that passes under the railway tracks.)
For more information visit toronto.ca/cycling/bicycle-station/ or call 416-338-3666.
Cycling Committee Schedule and Minutes
The Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee's (TCAC) last meeting for 2009 was on 29 October. If you are interested in information on the Committee meetings contact Frank Baldassini, Committee Secretary, fbalda@toronto.ca.
The next Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee is:
Monday, January 18, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Committee Room 3
Toronto City Hall
Shape TCAT's Platform 2010! - On-line Survey and 16 November Meeting
Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation is inviting the public to a meeting regarding updating the current TCAT plan for active transportation that emerged out of consultation with environmental, health and transportation groups from across Toronto in 2006. The result was a practical yet visionary plan for how Toronto City Council (2006-2010) could make active transportation a central part of transportation planning.
Now TCAT is reviewing its 2006 platform and making updates for 2010. These updates will reflect the progress made on walking and bicycling over the past 3 years, as well as emerging active transportation ideas and priorities as a new term of city council takes office.
On 16 November, TCAT will present a review of the 2006 platform and present preliminary priorities for our new platform. Input from TCAT supporters will help determine what are the cycling and walking priorities to be put forward next year.
Come on MONDAY, 16 NOVEMBER AT 6:00 PM AT METRO HALL, ROOM 303 for a short evening of discussion and consultation.
Please RSVP by completing a very brief survey.
TCAT & TCU Complete Streets Public Meeting - 23 November
Streets designed for living? Where all users are not just considered but required in the design and redesign of our streets? That's what TCAT and the Toronto Cyclists Union is calling for with the Complete Streets Campaign!
In the United States, complete streets policies ensure that street designs consider all users - pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists - so that our streets are livable and safe for everyone. If you would like to help out with this initiative, please send an email to Allyson Amster to be added to TCAT's contact list.
Date: Monday, November 23
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, Room 302
Ahead in the Bike Lane:
- TCAT Platform Meeting 16 November, Metro Hall, 6pm
- TCAT Complete Streets Meeting 23 November, 6:30pm
- Riverdale Cyclocross Races, Riverdale Park East, 22 November all day
- Subway Cross cyclocross races, King's Mill Park (Old Mill subway), 29 November all day
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.
