A recent Torontoist post about the Bike Union's BikeCampTO makes the argument that 2009 has been a bad year for cycling in the city.

I commented on the post and listed 6 things (just to name a few) that have happened this year that makes it a GOOD year for cycling.

We are still 2.5 months from the end of the year, but let's start adding up the good things that have happened for cycling.

Even the Bryant/Sheppard incident is good for the discussion it has created.

Here are the quick six I thought of off the cuff for the Torontoist comment:

• Todd, you seem to be falling into the "woe is me" mindset of many cycling advocates in this city in the writing of this article.

  2009 has not sucked AT ALL for bikes in this city:

  1) The fact that there is enough demand to hold a "BikeCamp"

  2) Bikelanes approved for Jarvis, a major artery, ... and they are ones that aren't put in "where there is room" but actually replacing car traffic

  3) The opening of Toronto's first BikeStation at Union Station, with more planned at City Hall and TTC stations.

  4) The Bryant/Sheppard incident brought attention to the need to share the road with all road users.

  5) Bike Store opens at First Canadian Place.

  6) Toronto looks to repeat Montreal's success with Bixi bike rentals by exploring options for our own bikesharing system.

Have ones to add? Share them in the Forum!