Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Union Station Bikestation Grand Opening - May 26
All are welcome to the open house for the bicycle station in the re-developed Union Station. The open house is all day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but refreshments will be served from 8 to 9 a.m.
The Toronto Bicycle Station is an indoor, secure bicycle parking facility for 180 bicycles. The 2,040 square foot facility houses 180 bikes, a change room and office space. There is also a vending machine stocked with common bicycle necessities like tubes and lights.
There is a one-time membership fee of $25. Then, you can choose either monthly ($20) or daily ($2) service to suit your needs.
For more information: 416-338-3666
e-mail: bicyclestation@toronto.ca
The Bicycle Station is located at 20 York Street, in the York West Teamway section of Union Station (an enclosed pedestrian walkway on the west side of York Street, south of Front Street.)
2) Toronto Bike Month - Group Commute
Toronto's Bike Month will run from May 25 - June 25, 2009. Ride your bike to work as part of the Group Commute with Mayor Miller, or check out one of over 100 other bike events city-wide. You can order Bike Month guides, posters, and flyers by contacting us at the cycling office.
The Group Commute was the launch event that started it all. Bike Month began as bike to work day, and this initiative remains the marquee event of Bike Month.
3) Group Commute: Earlier start time!
Commuters from around the city meet at 7 a.m. to ride together from four start points and converge at Yonge and Bloor for 7:30 a.m.
Previously, the Group Commute began at 7:30 a.m., but this year we are starting earlier so riders will have more time for breakfast. Please do not be late!
These rides are staffed with ride co-ordinators, Emergency Medical Services workers, and a Police escort. All riders will receive a free Bike Month t-shirt for their participation, as well as complimentary breakfast upon their arrival at City Hall.
Complete calendar of Bike Month events.
4) The Toronto Criterium at St Lawrence Market - Friday, May 29
Back again after last year's successful renewal of a major bike race at St Lawrence Market, this high-speed criterium race will travel along Front Street East, down to the Esplanade and back up again next to St Lawrence Market's main building and feature a bike expo as well as two races. Elite men go off at 7:30 p.m. for ninety minutes plus laps. Non-elite categories race for one hour at 6 p.m. $20,000 worth of prizes will be on offer over all categories of men and women. Kids can race for a lap at 5:30 p.m. Official schedule (PDF).
This event is free to watch and is sponsored by the City of Toronto, ZM Cycle & Fitness, Astral Media, Novotel Hotels, Cervelo Cycles, Old Town Toronto 1793.com, BTAC, St Lawrence Market B.I.A., Toronto Community News, Opus Bikes and the Ontario Cycling Association.
5) Toronto Bikeway Network media event
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
10 a.m.
Wellesley Community Recreation Centre
495 Sherbourne St.
(find us at the corner of Bleecker and Wellesley)
Celebrate the City of Toronto's Bikeway Network achievements from 2008 and find out what's in store for 2009.
City staff and councillors will be on hand for an official opening ceremony for the new Wellesley bike lane.
6) Conlins Road Bicycle Lane installed (& Brimorton Drive Underway)
The first bicycle lane of 2009 was installed last week on Conlins Road, between Sheppard Avenue East and Ellesmere Road. The installation of the Conlins bike lane adds 1.9 km to the City's Bikeway Network, for a total of 100.9 km of bike lanes.
Please be advised that the installation of the approved bicycle lanes on Brimorton Drive between Brimley Road and Scarborough Golf Club Road will take place in mid-May, and should take about two to three weeks to complete. When completed the project will add 4.1 km to the bikeway network.
You can now track the status of Bikeway Network projects.
7) Bicycle Lane Open Houses
The public is invited to attend the following open houses to discuss planned bike lanes on Bloor Street West, The West Mall, The Westway, and Rathburn Road.
These bike lanes will expand the City of Toronto's Bikeway Network by 11.5 km.
The Westway Bike Lane (Martin Grove Road to Royal York Road)
Wednesday May 20, 2009
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Kipling Collegiate Institute
380 The Westway
Rathburn Road Bike Lane (Mimico Creek to Islington Avenue)
Thursday May 28, 2009
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Rosethorn Junior Public School
2 Remington Drive
Bloor Street West Bike Lane (Kipling Avenue to Mill Road) & The West Mall (Bloor Street West to The Queensway)
Monday June 1, 2009
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Etobicoke Civic Centre
399 The West Mall (in the Council Chambers)
More information.
8) Sidewalk Cycling: CAN-BIKE Safety Tips
Sidewalk cycling is a factor in 30% of car-bike collisions:
- happens at crosswalks, crossovers and laneways
- involves mostly youth 10-19 years of age
- most common in outer suburban areas
Adult cyclists ride on the road, not on the sidewalk. Young children are allowed to ride on the sidewalk to practice before going on the road.
DID YOU KNOW?
- In Toronto, only bikes with a wheel diameter of 24 inches (61 cm) or smaller are permitted on the sidewalk. Check the sidewall of the tire for the tire size information.
- It is the law to walk your bicycle in crosswalks and crossovers.
Visit CAN-BIKE courses for more information. Register now for spring/summer courses. Check Ahead in the Bike Lane for details.
9) 'Ring My Bell' photo exhibit: City Hall
Leading up to Bike Month, come check out photographer Frank Theriault's photos showing in the City Hall Rotunda, Wednesday, May 13 - Thursday, May 21. This is a show on the theme of the bicycle bell. 100 Queen Street West.
10) New Unwin Street Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge
Unwin Street pedestrian and cycle bridge reconstruction is now complete. It is located right on the Martin Goodman Trail just south of the old bridge. (Unwin Street is in the Port of Toronto running off of Cherry Street to Leslie.)
11) Explore Ontario by Bike - Get there by Train
The Bike Train seamlessly integrates train travel with cycling by adding bike racks, knowledgeable staff and useful information onboard passenger trains from Toronto's Union Station. This year, new routes are being launched to cycling destinations across the province. Bike Train tickets are now on sale for the Toronto-Niagara Greenbelt Express. Tickets are $62 return and children travel free! Tickets for the new Ontario North Bike Train route to North Bay go on sale May 19th. Information and tickets.
12) Ahead in the Bike Lane
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CAN-BIKE courses coming up in May:
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Adult Learn to Ride 1
May 16, 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Earl Beatty C.C.
455 Glebeholme Blvd.
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Adult Learn to Ride 2
May 16, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Earl Beatty C.C.
455 Glebeholme Blvd.
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CAN-BIKE for Kids
May 16, 23
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Earl Beatty C.C.
455 Glebeholme Blvd.
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CAN-BIKE 1
May 16, 23
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rennie Club House
1 Rennie Terrace
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Adult Learn to Ride 1
May 17, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Rd.
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Adult Learn to Ride 1
May 23, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Trinity C.C.
155 Crawford St.
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Adult Learn to Ride 1
May 27, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Trinity C.C.
155 Crawford St.
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Adult Learn to Ride 1
May 31, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
L'Amoreaux C.C.
2000 McNicoll Ave.
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Adult Learn to Ride 2
May 31, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
L'Amoreaux C.C.
2000 McNicoll Ave.
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Ring my Bell' photo exhibit May 12-21, City Hall Rotunda
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Group Commute - May 25, 7 a.m.
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Bike Summit, Novotel Hotel - May 28, all day - registration
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Toronto Criterium at St Lawrence Market - May 29,
5:30-9:30 p.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.
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