Welcome to Cyclometer, a monthly newsletter to keep cyclists informed about cycling issues and programs in the City of Toronto.
CONTENTS:
1) Earth Day is April 22nd!
Riding your bicycle is a great way to celebrate Earth Day! With the warmer weather already here, you can shed those winter jackets and gloves and revel under the blue skies. Inspire a co-worker to ride with you to work, greet a fellow cyclist on the street, or even pass this newsletter along to someone you think may be inspired by the events in this city! There's tons of ways you can make a difference in your neighborhood.
2) Hiring - Road & Trail Safety Ambassadors
Deadline is April 17th! The City of Toronto, Urban Development Services will be hiring 10 Road and Trail Safety Ambassadors. Please see web page for the job call: www.toronto.ca/employment/index.htm
3) 2003 Cycling Map Online
You might have seen the 2003 Cycling Map in print form at your local bike shop or community centre, now's your chance to download it online! The cycling map shows marked bicycle lanes, signed bicycle routes and pathways. It also shows suggested routes and connections in areas where routes have not yet been designated as part of the Bikeway Network. You can download it here:
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/map/index.htm
4) Bike Summit II
The Bike Summit is a gathering of interested community cyclists who want to make a difference. It is a community directed gathering that discusses what needs to happen in order to make Toronto more cycling friendly.
In February the first Bike Summit took place and a lot of ideas were generated. This Bike Summit will look at how to make those things happen. All are welcome. Please R.S.V.P by calling 416-392-7592.
Bike Summit II is scheduled to meet at Metro Hall, 55 John St., Council Chamber, April 26, 2003 from 10 am to 1 p.m.
5) Bike Week Sneak Peek
Bike Week event registration closed on Friday March 28th. After a hectic week of compiling and confirming, we're pleased to announce that over 50 community groups are participating in Bike Week 2003 by presenting over 100 events. The calendar is going into production and should be available at community centres and bike stores by the beginning of May. All of the events will be up on the City’s cycling web site later this month. Here is a small sample of what will take place:
Friday May 23 - Jet Fuel Bike Week Appreciation Party
Monday May 26 - 14th Annual Group Commute & Free Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Toronto Cycling Committee, Lunch Time Cycling Festival and Fair
Tuesday May 27 - Bike Plan Open House
Wednesday May 28 & 29 - CAN-BIKE Police, Media, Courier Invitational Course
Friday May 30 - 590 Jarvis Bicycle User Group Roll-In-Breakfast
Monday, June 2 - Protect your Melon
Wednesday, June 4 - Walking / Wheeling Wednesday, Opening of the Lakeshore Blvd. East Bike Path
Saturday June 7 - Toronto - Niagara Boat Cruise & Bike Ride
Sunday June 8 - Humber River Connection Ribbon Cutting
To find out more about these and all other Bike Week events please visit the website, email us at bikeweek@toronto.ca, or phone us at 416-392-7592.
6) BUGs Ride Bikes?
This year, BUGs will be coming out of the woodwork to take part in the first ever BUG Commuter Challenge during the 14th Annual Group Commute and free pancake breakfast that kicks off Bike Week. Register yourself, your friends, family, neighbours, co-workers and actual BUG members to take part in this event and get your free Bike Week T-shirt. The BUG who has the most cyclists join the commute, will be recognized and awarded at the pancake breakfast at Nathan Philips Square.
What's that you say? People who register for the event that are not in my BUG will count? That's right, if you get the most cyclists participating on the ride, you win! Register names by May 16th.
For more information call 416-392-7592 or email bugs@toronto.ca
7) Toronto's Green Map to Launch on Earth Day
The Green Tourism Association's The OTHER Map of Toronto will be unveiled on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd, 2003, at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel from 10 am to noon. The OTHER Map is Toronto's only "green" map and is designed as a single source of information to link city residents and tourists to the many green adventures and experiences the city offers. The map highlights urban green tourism sites and green businesses such as parks, biking and walking trails, historic waterways, art galleries, museum and heritage sites, ecotour operators and more.
For more information visit the association's website at http://www.greentourism.ca. If you would like to attend the launch call 416-392-1288 to RSVP.
8) Bicycle Parking
Transportation Services provides bicycle parking stands, on City property, in response to requests from residents and businesses. Anyone can request a Post-and-Ring stand, but priority is given to those locations where a large number of users are expected. In addition to fulfilling requests, bike stands are also installed wherever parking meters are replaced by parking ticket machines. The objective is to ensure that the removal of parking meters does not create a shortage of secure places for cyclists to lock their bicycles. The Post-and-Ring program relies on input from cyclists, to meet the demand for bike parking facilities at specific locations. If you would like to obtain a Post-and-Ring request form, or if you have comments, suggestions, or questions about the City's bicycle parking program, please call 416-392-2972. You can also download the request form on the City's web-site: www.toronto.ca/cycling/postandring/
9) Pothole Repairs
While you're cycling please watch out for fresh potholes in the streets. The spring thaw has a tendency to make the roads brittle and under heavy traffic break apart leaving holes that can cause flat tires, or worse, injuries by falling or swerving into traffic. Keep your head up and spot these hazards ahead of time. Signal your intention to pull out into the roadway and check your blind spot. Once you've passed the obstacle signal your way back to a safe cycling position.
Contact Cycling
10) Ahead in the Bike Lane
- Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting:
Tuesday April 22, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #2, 7:00 PM
- Communications and Promotions Subcommittee:
Thursday April 24, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #3, 7:00 PM
- Education and Safety Subcommittee:
Monday April 28, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #4, 7:00 PM
- Road and Trails Subcommittee:
Wednesday April 30, 2003, City Hall Cttee Rm #4, 7:00 PM
- CAN-BIKE Kids (ages 9 to 13):
Saturday April 12,19,26, May 3. 12:00-3:00PM, James S. Bell CS
Saturday April 26, May 3,10,17. 1:00-4:00PM, Fairmount Park CC
Sunday April 27, May 4,11,18. 1:00-4:00PM, Earl Beatty CC
Sunday May 25, Jun 1,8. 1-5PM, Birchmount CC
Saturday May 31, Jun 7,14,21. 1:00-4:00PM, Fairmount Park CC
Saturday May 31. 9:00AM-Noon, James S. Bell CS
- CAN-BIKE Adult - Learn to Ride 1:
Sunday May 4. 9:00AM-Noon, Agincourt CC
Sunday May 4. 1:00-4:00PM, Agincourt CC
Sunday May 11. 9:00AM-Noon, Etobicoke Olympium
Sunday May 11. 1:00-4:00PM, Etobicoke Olympium
Saturday May 24. 9:00AM-Noon, Birchmount CC
Saturday May 24. 1-4PM, Birchmount CC
- CAN-BIKE 1 (ages 14+):
Saturday/Sunday, May 31, Jun 1. 9:30AM-4:30PM, 14+. Centennial RC
- CAN-BIKE 2 (ages 14+):
Saturday April 26, May 3,10. 9:30AM-4:30PM, 14+. N. Toronto Memorial CC
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.
Please take the time to forward this issue of Cycling News! to a fellow cyclist who may be interested.
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