Around 10am Oct. 24, a large flatbed truck pulled up to the southeast corner of Bloor and Spadina. As it unloaded seven sleek black-and-silver bikes, matching modular locking racks and a solar-power automated kiosk onto the street, a trio of workers dressed in matching red rain-jackets began demonstrating Montreal's popular bike sharing system to onlookers. Bixi — a combination of bicycle and taxi — had peddled its way into town to show off its fancy new hardware to an envious cycling community.

In Amsterdam, cyclists frequently yell and ring their bells at pedestrians, especially tourists. They are not on the defensive, as Toronto cyclists frequently are: They know the space is theirs and they control it skilfully and aggressively.

Despite the small-town feel of the neighbourhood, it's been swept into the bickering and bureaucracy of City Hall – and the battle to make Toronto a more sustainable, bike-friendly place.