Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Spring cleaning of parked bikes
The cycling public should be aware that the annual sweep of abandoned derelict bicycles from the City's post-and-rings is now underway. Post-and-rings are short-term parking, and those derelict bikes left locked to them for months at a time must be removed as they take up much-needed parking spots. Normally bikes are tagged by By-law officers for removal in seven days, but in order to complete a spring cleaning of post-and-rings, Right of Way Management enforcement staff will be patrolling the main streets and initiating enforcement on the removal of derelict bikes.
A derelict bike is a wreck missing significant parts like wheels, etc.
2) Group Commute time change: Now at 7 a.m.!
Our traditional Group Commute marking the start of Bike Month on the last Monday in May will start at 7 a.m. this year, NOT 7:30 a.m as it did previously. The ride will go off from the usual points on Monday, May 25, 2009. See you there.
3) Martin Goodman winter maintenance survey
Transportation Services maintained the Martin Goodman Trail in wintertime from the north side of Northern Dancer Boulevard to Sherbourne Street and Stadium Road to Windermere Avenue from January 2009 onwards, for the first time. If you used the trail during that time, please complete our short survey (one survey per computer).
4) Position yourself for safety: CAN-BIKE tips
CAN-BIKE tip for cyclists:
Ride about 1 metre from the curb in a straight line to be predictable and to give yourself a space cushion.
CAN-BIKE tip for drivers:
When passing, leave a least a metre's space between your vehicle and the cyclist, more at higher speeds. Cyclists need space in which to operate their bicycles. Pass bicycles safely.
CAN-BIKE course information. Register now for spring/summer courses. Check 'Ahead in the Bike Lane' for details.
5) 2009 Toronto Cycling Map online now
The 2009 Toronto Cycling Map is now available online.
Free print copies of the map are available at City of Toronto civic centres, libraries, community centres, and bicycle specialty shops. You can also order a copy of the Toronto Cycling Map by calling 416-392-7592 or e-mailing cyclingevents@toronto.ca (please specify "Bike Map" in the subject line).
The Cycling Map shows bicycle lanes, paths and routes to help cyclists plan their trips around Toronto. Also included on the map are the locations of bike lockers, CAN-BIKE courses, and bicycle specialty shops. New this year, you'll also find bicycle rental locations highlighted on the map, a new downtown inset, and a set of smaller insets to help cyclists navigate special areas.
The Cycling Map is also a great resource for safety tips and City of Toronto cycling contacts.
The Bikeway Network information has also been updated and now includes information on the status of bikeway network implementation, and updated information on bikeway types.
Happy Riding!
6) Queens Quay Blvd & Lower Sherbourne construction
Cyclists using the Martin Goodman Trail westbound before Parliament are advised that the trail is closed for construction on a long-term basis over to Richardson (where it rejoins the Queen's Quay Blvd East bike lanes). Also, construction on Lower Sherbourne has resulted in three smooth steel plates being inserted over the trench in the road where the street meets the Queen's Quay Blvd East's westbound bike lane. If wet, walking the bike over the plates is advisable.
7) Natural Environment Trails Program news
2009 looks like it is going to be another busy and exciting year for the Natural Environment Trails Program. Here are a few of the upcoming activities and events:
Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy
We will be continuing with our implementation of the Crothers Woods Trail Management Strategy in 2009. Projects expected to be completed by the end of the year include: New trailheads at Pottery Rd, Bayview Ave, Redway Rd and Beechwood, improvements to existing degraded and unsustainable single trail, a new
double trail around Sun Valley and the development of a signage and wayfinding program to be implemented in 2010.
As construction schedules are finalized and we move closer to the building season we will keep park users up to date. As always, we will be asking park users to respect the closure of all construction areas.
Trail building workshops
This year NETP will be hosting a community trailbuilding day with IMBA Canada in the fall. All members of the public are encouraged to join us to give back to the trails in Crothers Woods. Details to follow.
Trail Stewardship opportunities
This year, in partnership with IMBA Canada, NETP will be offering 4 opportunities for local community groups to participate as a group as trail stewards in Crothers Woods. These will be half day events (full days for those who would like to contribute more) with a trail leader from IMBA Canada and NECP staff.
Stewardship groups will address any current maintenance, monitoring, planting, or trail construction requirements in Crothers Woods. If you have a group that would be interested in joining us for one of these events (minimum 10 people) please contact us at trails@toronto.ca or 416-338-DIRT (3478) for more details.
Rosemount Sewer Project
As many of you have noticed the Rosemount Sewer is currently under construction which will disrupt access into Crothers Woods. Notices have been posted at all entrances into the park outlining timing of closures and areas under construction. Please respect all areas that are closed.
All areas disrupted by the construction of the new sewer have extensive trail and ecological restoration plans which will be implemented once construction is completed.
* WET TRAILS ALERT - ALL TRAIL USERS *
PLEASE STAY OFF OF ALL WET TRAILS. WHEN YOU USE WET AND MUDDY TRAILS IT LEADS TO UNNECESSARY TRAIL EROSION AND WIDENING THAT WILL RESULT IN LONG-LASTING DAMAGE.
Natural Environment Trails Program
trails@toronto.ca
416-338-DIRT (3478)
8) Toronto cycling statistics
Ever wonder how many cyclists there are in Toronto? Who cycles in Toronto? And how different areas of the city compare in terms of bicycle mode share?
Find out now. We've recently posted information on bicycle mode share for work trips in Toronto. This information was collected by Statistics Canada during the last Census of Canada in 2006.
9) TCAT's Bike Summit returns: May 28
Mark your calendars for May 28 in Toronto. The Bike Summit is back for a second year.
With the generous support of our sponsors, the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation and the Clean Air Partnership are pleased to once again host this one-day policy conference.
Join leading thinkers, practitioners and decision-makers who are on the fast track to creating bikeable communities. Bike Summit 2009 will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009 all day at the Novotel Toronto Centre (Esplanade and Yonge).
Increasing the number of people who move around by cycling and walking is critical to the prosperity and livability of our region. Share the perspectives and innovations of our panel of experts on May 28 and leave with even more reasons and methods to design cities for cyclists.
Early bird registrants will save money by signing up by April 24. You can register here.
10) Ahead in the Bike Lane
- CAN-BIKE courses coming up in April:
- CAN-BIKE 2 (17+ yrs)
April 18, 19, 25
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Toronto Track and Field Centre
4700 Keele St.
- CAN-BIKE for Kids (9-13 yrs)
April 18, 25
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Palmerston Library
560 Palmerston Ave.
- CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
April 19
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Rd.
- CAN-BIKE 1
April 25, May 2
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Earl Beatty C.C.
455 Glebeholme Blvd.
- CAN-BIKE for Kids
April 25, May 2
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Alderwood Centre
2 Orianna Dr.
- CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
April 26
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Rd.
- Bike Summit, May 28, Novotel Centre, all day
- Group Commute & Bike Month launch, May 25, 7 a.m.
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.
