I just got an email from BikeChain about a topic change about tomorrow nights workshop:
Bikechain Workshop this week will be scheduled for an alternative day.
This week's topic will be "What can go wrong around the city? What do I do?".
This week will be fairly informal and laid back. It will be more of a question and answer session headed by our lovely engineer/mechanic Michael Deiz d'Auz
We are still meeting at the same place, Bikechain, International Student Centre, 33 St George.
Thursday March 1
6-8pm
All are welcome to attend.
Light refreshments will be served.
Hope to see you there!
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Pull Over!
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IRO Mark V in Toronto
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Mayor Miller has just launched the "One Cent Now" campaign - trying to get 1 cent of the 6% Goods & Services Tax returned to Canadian municipalities to recoup at least some of the economic benefits that cities produce for the benefit of rural Canada.
It's something Miller mentioned when he won the election in November - that to support effective and efficient public transit (among other things), some of the economic activity that Toronto produces (something like 20% of the GDP of Canada) should be returned to Toronto.
"It's a call to the federal government to help build the kind of Toronto, the kind of cities and the kind of Canada that all of our citizens deserve," Miller said about his GST push. "A Canada that is forward looking. A Canada that is sustainable, economically and environmentally. A Canada that understands our people live in cities and that we must, in turn, give back to those communities at least a portion of what they pay in taxes."Check out the website, and sign the petition. There's a pretty good FAQ over there too.
Most likely, none of this money will go to cycling programs or infrastructure in Toronto. It will probably all go towards public transit. If it gets cars off the road, then I'm all for it.
There SHOULD be atleast some going to cycling. Cycling is, other than walking, the cheapest form of transportation for a government to promote.
Cars make for high-maintenance roads - subways and streetcars are expensive too. A person with a bike (which they buy themselves) can go just about anywhere with minimal impact on roads and the environment.
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Toronto Cyclists Union Volunteer Listing
New cyclist advocacy group forming in Toronto. Using a member-funded model, we will provide a new voice for cyclists, a new magazine and a hub for the two-wheeled community.Environment and sustainability top agenda at U of T
Students also created Bikechain, which started by offering free bike-related services and tune-ups to the university community but has since evolved to include development of a larger transportation management initiative examining how to encourage more sustainable means of travelling to the university.Paving BikeLanes with good intentions
Bike lanes inching along
The number earmarked for bike lanes in this year’s proposed budget? $3 million – that’s a zero per cent increase from 2006. On top of that, the budget recommends a 20 per cent cut to the cash allocated for bike trails in Toronto parks, with zero funds set aside to ensure bike paths be kept in a state of good repair.Bike Pirates!
The Bike Pirates has launched their website. It's nice!VIA Launches Toronto-Niagara BikeTrain
The Toronto-Niagara Bike Train is an exciting new initiative that will introduce bike racks on VIA Rail train service between Toronto and the Niagara Region.
Environmental:
Lots of attention on this lately, especially with the City's "smog reduction goals". Smog reduction could be easily achieved with promoting the hell out of cycling... which is cheap too. Politicians like cheap, don't they?
Choking in Riverdale: Wave of hostility brewing over east end air quality
Blueprint green
Voices: Greenest city challenge
A small idea to fight climate change
Miller toughens line on climate change
Big ideas, big costs: Toronto Summit tackles both
Toronto smog plan may raise downtown car costs
Is City Hall’s climate change buzz for real?
Yorkregion.com - Regional News Story
(905ers freaking out over the possibility of being charged to use 416 roads...)City councillors get a lesson on climate change options
Planning for the green revolution
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BikeBy
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The Ice Bike Racing at Dufferin Grove Park on Saturday was lots of fun to watch. I thankfully dressed up in many many layers so I saw just about all the races (once I got there) without freezing my important bits off.
The "rubber race" at the end (for those without metal spikes on their tires) looked like a lot of fun despite all the wipeouts, and I think I'll be taking part next year. :)
I didn't have my camera with me, but here's some great vids and photos from people who did!
First off, Darren got a couple really good vids:
And Tino (of course) got some nice pics and vids too:
Jun got a good one too:
Vic has got a ton of great pics of (and links about) the evening too!
Keep an eye out for the streaker. Yes, someone actually streaked, on their bike, in the freezing cold, in an ice rink, on a bike with screw-spiked wheels. That's pretty creative. :)
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Thursday, March 1st:
BikeChain Workshop - Bottom Bracket Overhauls
Join the friendly folks at UofT's BikeChain for everything you wanted to know (but afraid to ask) about the mysterious world of your bottom bracket.
This is open to everyone, not just UofT students.
Friday, March 2nd - Sunday, March 4th:
Toronto International Bicycle Show
Saturday, March 3rd:
Full Moon Take the Tooker Group Ride
Come out for a Full Moon Take the Tooker group ride in celebration of Take The Tooker, our future east/west bicycle expressway, fueled by organic hot chocolate courtesy of Choco Sol.
We will be leaving from Bloor and St. George at 10 PM on March 3rd.
(Let me know in the comments if there's something else bikey that I haven't listed here)
Join the friendly folks at UofT's BikeChain for everything you wanted to know (but afraid to ask) about the mysterious world of your bottom bracket.
This is open to everyone, not just UofT students.
Friday, March 2nd - Sunday, March 4th:
Toronto International Bicycle Show
- See what’s new and hot in Bicycles, accessories and apparel for 2007. Leading manufacturers and distributors will be displaying their latest product in the Manufacturers Showcase area.
- Buy the latest bicycle products from the main Toronto and surrounding area bicycle retailers located in the Retail Marketplace area.
- Special manufacturers showcase and retail marketplace.
- Ryan Leech will once again transcend cycling and bring the magic of his Trials show to the Bicycle Show. Information on Ryan is all at www.ryanleech.com
- Kids Cycling Zone - A carpeted area the kids can pedal away on some neat tricycles - helmets provided, adult supervision required.
- Bicycle Film Fest – Ryeka film distributors present the latest DVD’s on all aspects of bicycling in our extreme Theatre area in Hall A just inside the show entrance.
- The Test Ride Zone – Retailers will accompany you to this special area where you can try out the latest street bikes and mountain bikes.
- Meet representatives from Bicycle Clubs and learn how they can make your cycling more enjoyable and fulfilling. Enroll in a club or enter one of the many events displayed at the show.
- Top Frame Builder Exhibitors – See what’s new and hot for 2007
- Win one of the bicycle giveaways as part of the show from selected radio stations.
- Free indoor bicycle parking in the underground car park area at the west side of the Direct Energy Centre - parking ramp near Hall A.
Saturday, March 3rd:
Full Moon Take the Tooker Group Ride
Come out for a Full Moon Take the Tooker group ride in celebration of Take The Tooker, our future east/west bicycle expressway, fueled by organic hot chocolate courtesy of Choco Sol.
We will be leaving from Bloor and St. George at 10 PM on March 3rd.
(Let me know in the comments if there's something else bikey that I haven't listed here)
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Becel Ride for Heart II
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Becel Ride for Heart I
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Memorial for Herbert Van Tol
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One dead, students okay in school bus accident
Man struck down on Spadina
Pedestrian Seriously Hurt In Downtown Traffic Accident
Several Injuries In Three Crashes Around Toronto
Man Killed In Four-Vehicle Accident On Highway 401
Westbound 401 Reopens After Fatal Crash
Struck by car, woman diesRelated:
Why police crash cruisers
Cars Vs. Smokes: Name Your Poison
About Toronto's Weekly Carnage:
Toronto's Weekly Carnage is inspired by NYC's Streetsblog Weekly Carnage feature. The aim of this series of posts is to bring attention to the death and destruction wrought by automobiles and an auto-centric culture. Pursuing policies promoting walking, cycling and public transit could help reduce the carnage
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"A Mass of Cyclists on Queens St., Toronto"
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Bicycle Parade
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(crossposted to the BikeFriday Blog)
Wow, it sneaks up fast. :)
If you're biking this Friday (the 23rd) - be sure and check out what's going on over in the sidebar on the BikeFriday site.
Join one of the Group Commutes (or add your own commute and perhaps find others going your way!), check out the Grassroots Store at 408 Bloor West (near Bathurst) between 8 - 9:30 AM for a great selection of breakfast treats like organic muffins and organic fair-trade, shade-grown coffee.
As always, there's the awesome Critical Mass ride (meet up at Spadina & Bloor at 6 PM, ride at 6:30) around downtown, and the friendly folks at BikePirates are having a post-Critical Mass hot chocolate get-together!
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Convenience
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Track Reconstruction
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Wednesday, February 21st
6 PM - Green Drinks Toronto - Green social networking!
7 PM - Bike Week 2007 Public Meeting - have your say in the planning of this Spring's BikeWeek!
Friday, February 23rd (BIKEFRIDAY!)
BikeFriday Group Commutes - there is safety in numbers
8 - 9:30 AM - Grassroots Bikers Breakfast - free breakfast treats from Grassroots!
BikeFriday Group Commutes - there is safety in numbers
8 - 9:30 AM - Grassroots Bikers Breakfast - free breakfast treats from Grassroots!
6 PM - Critical Mass - join other cyclists for a downtown evening ride
I've just found out that the friendly folks at BikePirates are inviting people over after the Critical Mass ride for Hot Chocolate! Nice!
Saturday, February 24th
8 PM - Ice Bike Races 2007
Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments. :) - Joe.
Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments. :) - Joe.
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In early January, I started posting a "Photo of the Day" every day, highlighting an image I had found over on Flickr of something bikey in Toronto.
Everyone seems to really like it, and I love highlighting the great photographers in Toronto as well as hopefully helping the bicycle become an inescapable visual part of Toronto.
Here's all the photos from January - each one is linked to it's own entry, which in turn links to the photo and photographer on Flickr.
You may also want to check out (and/or join) the BikingToronto Photo Group I set up over on Flickr - there's 20 members and 75 photos on there right now - all of great shots of the bicycle in Toronto!
The "badge" with 3 photos after each entry these days on BikingToronto is a random sample of photos from the BikingToronto Group.
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cyanotyped bike man by karenstock.
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I've been fiddling with the BikeFriday site the past couple of days... to clean up the design and integrate the BikeFriday Blog better. Here's what it looks like:
I've got the blog entries over on the left side, and the schedule for the day on the right.
I'm still trying to come up with a good description for the BikeFriday site - the goal is to get lots of individuals and organizations and businesses doing things that are bike-related for at least that day of every month... but the BikeFriday site is best for marketing everything going on - and hopefully more and more will be going on.
I expect to be posting news to the blog this coming week - I know SmartCommuteNTV (based at YorkU) and the BikeChain (UofT) would like to do things on BikeFriday... but it may not be until March.
Who's planning on biking to work this Friday? I'll add your bike-commute to the Group Commute section (it expands when clicked), and perhaps we can get a group of cyclists going your way... :)
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King & University by tsaiware.
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Trinity-Bellwoods Park.
Easy Ride by mechrisman.
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One dead in 401 crash
Man killed in hit-and-run on Kipling
Two men airlifted to hospital following Uxbridge crash
Motorist charged in fatal crash
Man charged in fatal hit-and-run collision
Man struck by car and killed in west endMilton Crash
About Toronto's Weekly Carnage:
Toronto's Weekly Carnage is inspired by NYC's Streetsblog Weekly Carnage feature. The aim of this series of posts is to bring attention to the death and destruction wrought by automobiles and an auto-centric culture. Pursuing policies promoting walking, cycling and public transit could help reduce the carnage.
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Yonge & Dundas
Red Bike by rock paper scissors ink.
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Just reading the news waiting for my wife to get home this fine Valentines Day, I came across a few great photos:
First off, how great is this for Valentines Day? It accompanies an article about the Tories losing a vote to not honour Canada's commitments to abide by the Kyoto Agreement.
Also, of course, with the "really big storm" dumping snow on the Toronto area today, there are lots of snow pictures...
Yet another reason to not own a car = no shovelling your driveway!
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ICE-CYCLES by Treforlutions.
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Just got this in my email from the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation - if you can make it to City Hall this afternoon, the Cycling Budget needs your support!
I highly recommend signing up for the TCAT newsletter, if you're into this kind of thing. :)
~~~~~
I highly recommend signing up for the TCAT newsletter, if you're into this kind of thing. :)
~~~~~
Yesterday, two members of the TCAT Steering Committee attended a Budget information session at City Hall. We gathered information on what the proposed 2007 Capital Budget includes for Active Transportation and the news is mixed. In terms of pedestrian issues, the 2007 Capital Budget is quite positive in fulfilling some of our platform/questionnaire demands. In terms of cycling the news is not so good, some major cycling items remain underfunded. The one bright spot for cycling is the addition of staff to work on the cycling infrastructure. More detail on the status of all items is listed below and at the bottom of this email is a letter that could serve as a model.
On Wednesday Feb 14th, starting at 2 p.m. the Budget Committee is hearing deputations from the general public. Please contact the members of the committee to ensure that cycling plan is fully funded.
Deputations in person: call 416-392-6662 to get on the list.
Deputations via e-mail: send to clerk@toronto.ca
-----------------------
Letter submitted by the Ontario Smart Growth Network
February 8, 2007
Subject: Build Active Transportation in the 2007 Capital Budget
Dear Councillor Carroll and Members of the Budget Committee:
On behalf of the Ontario Smart Growth Network (OSGN), I am writing to ask you to support the following investments in Active Transportation in the City of Toronto Capital Budget. During the 2006 municipal election campaign, you completed the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT) election survey and did support the following items. It is critical that projects that support walking and cycling are properly funded in the 2007 budget.
1) $6.0 million to the Transportation Services cycling infrastructure budget for the implementation of the Bikeway Network on urban streets
2) $1.5 million in the Parks Forestry and Recreation budget for Bikeway Network expansion on parks and trails.
3) $3.63 million for the Crosswalk Improvement Program to improve the safety of crosswalks on major arterial roads.
4) Increasing the budget of the "Missing Sidewalk" program to account for inflation over the period since the date the program was initiated.
The city needs follow through on its commitment to improving crosswalk safety and to providing sidewalks on all major roads to encourage walking as a form of transportation. Unsafe crosswalks and missing sidewalks reduce accessibility and are a danger to public health.
In 2005 over 29 kilometres of bike lanes were planned in Toronto, but only 1 km got built. The Toronto Bike Plan has been consistently underfunded since it was adopted in 2001. It is time to turn words into action by providing adequate funding for cycling as recommended by City staff in the Toronto Bike Plan 3-year implementation strategy released in August 2005.
The failure to adequately support cycling and walking in Toronto's budgets is inexcusable. More pedestrians and cyclists on our streets would improve air quality, decrease gridlock, decrease the costs to maintain roads and make our streets safer. On behalf of the 57 member organizations of the Ontario Smart Growth Network, I urge you to invest in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
Yours sincerely,
Janet May
Network Director
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Fog - Nuit Blanche by Mary Calarco.
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Proposed 2007 Capital budget appears to come up short on cycling funds (bikeToronto.ca)
The $3.0 million mentioned appears to be for the Transportation Services cycling infrastructure budget which pays for bike lanes, bike trails in the hydro corridors, and other cycling infrastructure like bike lockers, bike parking etc. This is far less than the $6.2 million promised for cycling infrastructure by the Mayor on his election website (see archived web page: Ask the Mayor - Toronto Bike Plan) and the $6.0 million the the Toronto Cycling Committee recommended and which was supported by the members of the Budget Committee in the recent TCAT election survey.
Greening of a champion (The Star)
A great article about Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, the source of his enviro-activism, and that he bikes 23 km to City Hall (each way) every day, even in the winter.Now that Adam Giambrone is heading up the TTC and will most likely be replaced on the Toronto Cycling Committee by another Councillor... I hope De Baeremaeker is the one that replaces him.
Dale Duncan at City Hall: Muzzling Talk of Saving BikeShare (SpacingWire)
Allan Crawford isn’t allowed to talk to me anymore. The outspoken Parks, Forestry and Recreation employee faced a disciplinary hearing Feb. 1 for blabbing to me about an idea he had for breathing life back into BikeShare, Toronto’s now-defunct, popular bike-lending program... Rookie city councillor Adam Vaughan says he wasn’t surprised to hear Crawford was disciplined for speaking out of turn. “It’s part of a disturbing sense I get that we’re not supposed to talk about stuff,” he says. Are there more appropriate channels? “There could be, [but] everything I’ve felt so far [as a councillor], I’ve felt like we’re not supposed to talk about it. I’m finding it really uncomfortable.”
(photo of Glenn De
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Street Art near Yonge & Eglinton.
mars by gbalogh.
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It may be the middle of February, but there is stuff going on!
Plus, the weather forecast is calling for next week to be up around 0 degrees celcius, so we'll probably be seeing the numbers of cyclists rising.
Here's what's on tap for this week. Links go to the entries I made for them on Upcoming.org, so if you're a member there you can add them to your calendars:
(also, if you know of something going on I've missed, let me know in the comments, please.)
Tues, Feb. 13th
Bike Lanes on Eastern and or Leslie St.?
1. Bike lane proposal for Eastern Ave. (Councillor Fletcher needs feedback and/or support)
2. Situation on Leslie St. (what is the best north/south Martin Goodman connector?)
3. Summary of Queens Quay meeting
Wed, Feb. 14th
Lake Ontario Park - Cyclist Public Forum
A meeting for any and all cycling advocacy and interest groups to come to an idea sharing and strategy planning meeting next week. We should discuss how, as cyclists, we envision the waterfront as a recreation destination
Thurs, Feb. 15th
BikeChain Workshop - Wheelbuilding
Learn how to buid a wheel!
Refreshments will be provided.
Thurs, Feb. 15th
Take the Tooker MeetingThe new city council is now in session, and our local politicians have said that they are planning to make more progress on the bike plan in the next four years than they did in the last three. Our reelected mayor has said that he expects the cycling community of Toronto to keep the politicians who ran on bike-friendly platforms accountable for their campaign promises. For anyone who is looking for a way to be vocal in the local cycling advocacy community, your chance is here!
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Cyclepathic Behaviour by Trevor Haldenby.
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TPM (Queen West & Ryerson) by gbalogh.
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1983 - The GTA Cycling Adventure by rae.
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Police identify woman in fatal crash
Poet killed in hit and run
Hit-And-Run Crash Leaves Man Dead
Man killed in hit-and-run collision
Woman Dies in Multi-Car Crash
Tanker flips on QEW; 1 dead in Richmond Hill crash
One person dead after two-car crash in Richmond Hill
Car crash follows helicopter chase
Hero prevents more carnage
Related:The Fifth Estate - Road Warriors
According to psychologist David Wiesenthal, the highway is "one of the last places where you can see vengeance played out every day" – behind the wheel of a multi-ton piece of metal that can just as easily be used as a weapon as it can for transportation.About Toronto's Weekly Carnage:
Toronto's Weekly Carnage is inspired by NYC's Streetsblog Weekly Carnage feature. The aim of this series of posts is to bring attention to the death and destruction wrought by automobiles and an auto-centric culture. Pursuing policies promoting walking, cycling and public transit could help reduce the carnage.
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After a bunch of winter riding last week on snowy and salty roads, my gears and chain were all gunked up with dirt and salt. I finally got around to cleaning them last night so that I could bike to work today without worrying too much about damaging them.
I also bought a new bike helmet a while ago, because my old one was showing it's age (I bought it in 1998) but had been in good condition since I always treated it well and never had the occasion to need it (no falls on my head). The shell had begun to crack a little, so I figured it was time to get a new one.
Now, anyone who knows me (or has had occasion to hat shop with me) knows that I have an enormous head. Like, freakishly big, almost... okay... maybe not THAT big... but regular hats and helmets don't fit my noggin.
I eventually found a nice looking helmet that just fit me... but this morning I found out that when I'm wearing my very-cold-weather headgear (balaclava and wool hat), this new helmet does not fit.
So, I biked to work helmetless for the first time. I take a lot of sidestreets in the winter, as it's quieter and more peaceful, with less fighting with cars, and no slush and crap being sprayed by tires.
Not like helmets make a lot of difference anyways. Someone my age is over 20x more likely to suffer a head injury requiring hospitalization from being in a car during an accident than riding a bike.
Anyhow... I just went on a coffee run over to Tim Horton's, and it's BEAUTIFUL outside. While the WeatherNetwork is saying it's -8C (-18C with windchill), it feels warmer... maybe just below O... the ride home tonight is going to be great.
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Grenadier Pond (High Park) in December
photo by boukesalverda.
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The BikeChain, a project of the University of Toronto's Sustainability Office is running a great series of Thursday early-evening workshops from now until early April on everything from "Wheelbuilding" to "Spring tune-up basics".
Be sure and check some or all of them out... the BikeChain folks seem really friendly. :)
The 2nd one goes tomorrow night, and it's on "Adjusting your Gears".
IMPORTANT - these are open to everyone, not just UofT students.
Thurs, Feb 8 - Adjusting Your Gears
Thurs, Feb 15 - Wheelbuilding
Thurs, Mar 1 - Bottom Bracket Overhauls
Thurs, Mar 8 - Headset Overhauls
Thurs, Mar 15 - Flat Tire Repair
Thurs, Mar 22 - Spring Tune-Up Basics
Thurs, Mar 29 - Fixing Brakes
Thurs, Apr 5 - Cycling in Toronto
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I mentioned this in yesterdays Toronto Bike News, so I thought I should let you all know that the meeting has been changed from Monday the 12th to Tuesday the 13th.
Tuesday, February 13th, 6:30-8-ish pm
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
955 Queen St. East
PLEASE RSVP.
Contact Paul Young by email or phone (416-461-1925 ext. 241) for more info.PROPOSED AGENDA:1. Bike lane proposal for Eastern Ave. (Councillor Fletcher needs feedback and/or support)2. Situation on Leslie St. (what is the best north/south Martin Goodman connector?)3. Summary of Queens Quay meeting4. Group Name5. other? (your suggestion here)
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Bikes on Bloor by reframed.
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Let's hope I don't miss anything... happily there's a lot of stuff going on... for mid-February!
A study is underway to determine how the cloverleaf (Queensway & South Kingsway) can be reconfigured and some proposals may surface by April or May... One idea eliminates the old highway-style cloverleaf and creates a T-intersection with lights to make it more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly.
2007 Capital Budget - Write Your Councillor, it makes a Difference! (TCAT)
The City of Toronto’s 2007 Capital budget process will soon get[I think I may cut-and-past TCATs email here on BikingToronto later this week - they are doing great work on this important front.]
underway. This is our first opportunity to ensure that the budget
related items from the TCAT Plan for Active Transportation will be
approved by City Council (you can still see the plan at
www.TorontoCAT.ca).
The TCAT candidate survey found strong support for the TCAT Plan for Active Transportation among all the members ofthe Budget Committee and a majority of the Executive Committee. Now is the time to remind the Councillors of their promises to support the TCAT budget recommendations and ensure they are incorporated into the final 2007 municipal budget.
Central Waterfront consultation meeting has cycling focus (BikeToronto.ca)
The next phase of the project is to do a traffic feasibility study early in 2007 to come up with some feasible design options to be followed by an environmental assessment screening where the options will be analyzed further. There will be more community meetings during the year but there is still time to comment on the latest presentation and add your support for a wide, continuous Martin Goodman Trail for cyclists and other trail users through the Central Waterfront.
Bike Lanes on Eastern and or Leslie St.? We need you!
This is news of a community meeting happening in South Riverdale / Leslieville regarding possible bikelanes on Eastern and Leslie Streets. I got it via email, so here it is instead of a link:
We now have a space booked here for
Monday, February 12, 7-9 pm
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
955 Queen St. East
PLEASE RSVP.
Contact Paul Young by email or phone (416-461-1925 ext. 241) for more info.PROPOSED AGENDA:1. Bike lane proposal for Eastern Ave. (Councillor Fletcher needs feedback and/or support)2. Situation on Leslie St. (what is the best north/south Martin Goodman connector?)3. Summary of Queens Quay meeting4. Group Name5. other? (your suggestion here)
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Queen West & Dufferin
Rupencycle by Kuroshiro.
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Union Station Bike Stand by xthomson.
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Paris rolls out free bikes in bid to cut smog
David Miller wants to cut smog emissions by 20% by 2012... a great way to do it is to get 20% of Torontonians using bicycles instead of cars.
Apparently, there's somewhat of a pro-bike movement re-emerging in China due to global warming concerns, but this article is kind of scary, considering 20% of the world's population is in China and they are just starting to adopt cars...
Copenhagen: Traffic Signals Timed for Bicycling
The green wave is the first of its kind and traffic light is adjusted to give cyclists a continuous ride if they travel 20 km/h. "It is a rational and sensible speed to pedal, as both children and elderly can keep the pace."
Norway: Bike Lift 'Trampe' Stimulates Cycling
At the bottom of the steep 130 meter long hill cyclists place their right foot on the lift and receive a push which transports them upwards at a comfortable speed of 2 meters per second. Since its introduction in 1993, 'Trampe' has assisted more than 220,000 cyclists.
Portland, OR: Bakfiets Arrive!
Dutch cargobikes are hitting Portland Streets... they are those bikes with a nice big box between the handlebars and front wheel - perfect for moving groceries and/or children.
I've seen a couple in Toronto... have you?
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Yonge Street by lost_effekt.
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Trailing by lost_effekt.
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Photo by Jay Morrison.
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1 dead in highway pileup east of Toronto
Highway crashes snarl morning commute
Highway mayhem
Crash on Highway 401
Downtown Crash
Oshawa woman dies after crash in Clarington
Related:
When the road takes someone
Labels: carnage
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Dusted Bikes by PDPhotography.
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It’s a well known fact that spending most of your life inside a car is not good for you. You get selfish, impatient and rude while destroying neighbourhoods and killing the planet. Okay, maybe YOU don’t kill neighbourhoods and destroy the planet, but you are a part of the multitude who are doing so.
What happens when an auto-centric culture starts turning non-drivers into rude individuals?
On my way to the Toronto HPV dinner on Sunday, I was cruising down
At about Wellesley on my way down to Elm, I became aware of a car behind me… not passing (although there was room in the other lane to move over) for a while, and then honking at me and passing me, only to be stopped at the next red light, where I caught up to them.
Being sick and tired of cars honking at me for nothing but cycling downtown, I made mad gestures at the young couple in the car and they gestured back at me (none of their gestures were rude gestures, but more of “what the…?” gestures) and then they rolled down their window.
“We just honked to make sure you knew we were behind you… not trying to be rude”
I was speechless for a second, and then pulled down my winter facemask and apologized.
“I’m really sorry… you’re the first person who has honked at me who didn’t mean it rudely.”
“No problem, man… stay warm!” and they rolled up their window.
I still feel bad about assuming that they meant me ill-will… but can you blame me?
When 99 out of 100 honkers are saying “get off the road!” you start to assume that the 100th driver is saying the same thing.
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