Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1. The 2003 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards - October 9th!
The nominations have been submitted, the judging has taken place and the ballots have been cast. Now who will win this year's coveted Bicycle Friendly Business Awards? To find out, please join the City of Toronto, the Toronto Cycling Committee and the cycling community at large for the awards ceremony on Thursday October 9th at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Rotunda. There will be refreshments and a tasty treat provided by Dufflets Pastries. Join us as we help honour the businesses that went above and beyond the call of duty for cyclists. Businesses are selected based on secure/monitored bicycle parking facilities, the percentage of employees that cycle and the corporate use of bicycle services.
At this time we would like to thank all of the 2003 Nominees:
ABC Diaper Service
Alchemy Baking Co.
Bicycles @ St. Clair
Cervelo Cycles Inc.
Chestnut Park Residences
Community Bicycle Network
Duke's Cycle
Energy Pathways Inc.
Europe Bound
Fresh by Juice for Life
Global Village Backpackers
The Grapefruit Moon
Grassroots Environmental Products
Green Tourism Association
The Hard Rock Café
Intelliware Development
International Financial Data Services
Janet Rosenberg + Associates
The Messengers International
Metropolitan Hotel
Nelvana
Occasional Outburst Video Associates
La Pallette
SNC-Lavalin Inc
Sunwheel Couriers
Taylor's Outdoor Gear
Ticketmaster
Torkin, Manes, Cohen, Arbus
Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Turn Around Couriers Inc
West Camera
York University
Zuma Corporation
You are all winners in our eyes. Please join us Thursday October 9th to see who will take home the coveted statues. For more information on the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards please visit the web site.
2. Messenger Appreciation Day 2003 - 10-9 Day
On October 9th the City of Toronto and the Toronto Cycling Committee are working with the Hoof and Cycle Messenger Association to host a Messenger Appreciation Day celebration at Dundas Square. This year the Messenger Association would like to extend recognition to all "sustainable" delivery methods including pedestrian and public transit messengers. The day long agenda that follows will include refreshments, a barbecue, information displays, speeches, and the presentation of a Mayor's Proclamation to the Messenger Association.
In 1997 Toronto became the second city in the world to celebrate and recognize the contributions made by bicycle and foot messengers to their cities with Messenger Appreciation Day. Therefore, October 9th has been declared "10-9 Day" also known as Messenger Appreciation Day.
"10-9" is radio code and means "Say again" or "What?" Since 1997 many other cities have joined Toronto and San Francisco with similar proclamations and celebrations on 10-9 Day. Those cities include Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Houston, Tokyo, and Melbourne.
Toronto's more than fifty (bike) courier companies employ over 500 bike messengers to deliver an estimated 1.2 million deliveries every year. This results in a need for approximately 2500 fewer cars in the downtown core every day. Messenger Appreciation Day brings attention to the efforts of couriers, and courier companies to promote professionalism and safety in the industry.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Dundas Square! Click here for a sneak peak of the proclamation.
3. Bike Summit II - October 18th
Early last year Toronto cyclists got together to meet each other at the first Bike Summit. After introducing ourselves to the tons of cycling talent and projects out there the group brainstormed up tons of ideas. To follow up on the success of the first meeting the next Bike Summit has been announced.
Sat October 18, 2003
Metro Hall, 55 John St. (at King St.)
9:00am to 1:00pm
Please RSVP at (416) 392-7592
This meeting will focus on some of the ideas brought up at the first meeting. Through networking the group hopes to build a stronger cycling community with a vibrant voice. All are welcome, hope to see you there.
4. New CAN-BIKE 2 Course Scheduled
Interested in developing your skills as a cyclist? Feel you already know how to bike in the city, but a couple of roads still make you nervous? CAN-BIKE 2 is a cycling skills course aimed at the advanced cyclist who already rides in traffic. You will learn skills such as emergency techniques, traffic dynamics, and other valuable pieces of cycling information. CAN-BIKE 2 is also a prerequisite for anyone who would be interested in teaching CAN-BIKE courses for the City of Toronto.
This year Parks and Recreation has added an extra CAN-BIKE 2 course due to late season demand! The course is 18 hours long over a period of four Sundays, October 12 (12-4pm), 19 (2-6pm), 26 (12-5pm) and November 2 (12-5pm) at Birchmount CC. Cost of the CAN-BIKE 2 course is $100. To sign up for the CAN-BIKE 2 course please call Parks and Recreation at 416-338-0000. For more information please see the CAN-BIKE website.
5. BUG Profile - Intelliware
Each month Cyclometer features one member of the Bicycle User Group (BUG) Network. The BUG Network encourages cyclists at a workplace, in a neighbourhood, community or a school to work together to improve conditions for cyclists, or just to enjoy going on rides together.
Intelliware received the 2002 Best Bicycle Parking Award at the Bicycle Friendly Business Award ceremony last September. This year they are one of the nominees for the 2003 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. Their indoor bicycle parking is right in front of the receptionist, providing very secure and convenient parking for employees and clients. In addition employees have access to personal lockers and a shower/change room facility.
Is your group interested in finding out about the benefits of being a BUG member? Please visit the BUG website to find out more.
6. St. Clair Ave. West Public Meetings
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and City of Toronto have initiated a Class Environmental Assessment to identify and evaluate options for improved streetcar operations on St. Clair Avenue West between Gunns Road to just east of Yonge Street. The study is being undertaken according to Schedule C of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA).
The streetcar tracks and trackbed on St. Clair Ave. West are in poor condition and are scheduled for replacement in 2005. This provides the opportunity to review possible enhancements to the streetcar and road infrastructure as part of the broader overall improvements planned for St. Clair Ave. West.
The first round of public meetings for this study will present a summary of the existing transportation problems and opportunities, future transportation demands, broad transportation solutions, screening criteria, and the proposed next steps. Comments received at this first round of meetings will be incorporated into the evaluation of potential transportation solutions.
The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Joseph J. Piccininni Community Recreation Centre, Gymnasium
1369 St. Clair Ave. West (west of Lansdowne Avenue)
Open House Displays: drop by 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Presentation: 7:00 p.m. (followed by a facilitated discussion period)
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Brown Community Centre, Gymnasium
454 Avenue Road (south of St. Clair Avenue West)
Open House Displays: drop by 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Presentation: 7:00 p.m. (followed by a facilitated discussion period)
7. Need a bike? City of Toronto Bike Auction - October 25th
On October 25th at the Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall in the Exhibition grounds the City of Toronto will be auctioning off its surplus vehicles. The auction will consist of approximately 400 bicycles in which 200 will be sold in groups of 10. The auction will also feature automobiles, motorcycles, and landscaping machinery. Previews will begin at 9:30AM with the auction beginning at 10:30AM. Accepted forms of currency include VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque, and cash. For more information please call the Auction Hotline at 416-392-1991.
8. Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting Agenda - November 17
The next meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee will be held on:
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 7pm
Toronto City Hall, Committee Meeting Room #2
100 Queen St. West
Like all City committees the Toronto Cycling Committee will dissolve following the elections. In early 2004 after the new Council reconstitutes the Cycling Committee, you will have the opportunity to apply for a volunteer position on the Cycling Committee for the next three-year term. Now is your chance to get involved with your City's cycling plan! The November meeting will discuss the nomination process for the new Cycling Committee.
In addition, there will be a new Bike Plan Progress Report, and the Budget Approval Process reviews.
9. Education and Safety Subcommittee Date Change
The Education and Safety Subcommittee has rescheduled their monthly meeting to Monday, October 20th, 7:00 PM at City Hall Committee Meeting room #3.
10. Ahead in the Bike Lane
- 10-9 Bicycle messenger Appreciation Day:
Thursday October 9th, 2003, All Day, Dundas Square, Yonge & Dundas
- Bicycle Friendly Business Awards:
Thursday October 9th, 2003, 7:00 PM, City Hall Rotunda
- CAN BIKE 2:
Sundays, October 12 (12-4PM), 19 (2-6PM), 26 (12-5PM), Nov 2 (12-5PM), Birchmount CC
- St. Clair Ave. West Public Meetings:
October 16, 2003, Joseph J. Piccininni Community RC, 1369 St. Clair Ave. W., 7:00PM
Tuesday, October 21, 2003, Brown CC, 454 Avenue Road, 7:00 PM
- Bike Summit (RSVP Requested):
Saturday, October 18, 2003, Metro Hall, 55 John St., 9:00 AM
- City of Toronto Vehicle Auction:
Saturday, October 25, 2003, QE Exhibit Hall - Exhibition Place, 9:30AM
- Education and Safety Subcommittee:
Monday October 20, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #3, 7:00 PM *NOTE Date Changed
- Communications and Promotions Subcommittee:
No meeting scheduled.
- Road and Trails Subcommittee:
Wednesday Oct 29, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #4, 7:00 PM
- Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting:
Monday, November 17, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #2, 7:00 PM
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. Now, as then, we hope that, like its namesake, Cyclometer will show you how far we’ve come, how fast we’re going, and maybe how much pedalling we have yet to do. So get on board and get involved. Your support is important.
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