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Campaigns
Paint the Plan! | Good Roads | Cyclists Paving The Way
**Please scroll down if links fail.
Paint the Plan!
Way back in 2001, the City of Toronto created an excellent roadmap of where cycling should be going in the next decade - the Toronto Bike Plan. Now, all they have to do is implement it.
"Bicycles won't solve all the problems we face, of course, but if we can't even manage to give cyclists their fair share of the road, what hope is there?"
Christopher Hume, Toronto Star article, April 28th, 2008.
The city has fallen short of our expectations
As of Sept 2009, only 109.7kms of on street bike lanes have been installed since the bike plan was approved by City Council in 2001. There were 495kms promised by 2011.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance in its 2007 Smog Report stated "While the City has been great at planning for sustainable transportation, it has performed poorly in actually implementing existing policies."
Although the City has promised much in the past two years, and are doing better than previous years at getting lanes approved and painted, they continue to fall short of expectations year after year. Councillor Adrian Heaps was quoted in Toronto Star Article on June 18th, 2007, "The city is going to hit its 30-kilometre target for 2007 or else."
The final tally of 2007: 7.7kms! This leaves us wondering what happened.
This is unacceptable. The city has an approved bike plan, yet the installation of individual lanes seems to have stalled year after year in political process.
We anxiously await the city living up to the Bike Plan. Announcements are exciting yet it is the physical presence of cycling infrastructure that encourages new riders, and keeps cyclists safe.
We sense a shift in gears in moving towards implementation of the bike plan... lets hold the city accountable to PAINT the PLAN!
Get involved and stay tuned for updates as we work with members and advocates across Toronto to help the City Paint the Plan!
Track the progress of the implementation of the Bikeway Network here - http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/network/network-project-status.htm
Good Roads
GOOD ROADS CAMPAIGN for safer cycling!
The Toronto Cyclists Union will be working with Transportation Services and Public Works and Infrastructure to connect cyclists to the new 311 City hotline.
POTHOLES, CRACKS, FADED BIKE LANES, BLOCKED BIKE LANES, DIPS, RECESSED MANHOLES, MISALIGNED SEWER GRATES, GRAVEL, SAND,
BROKEN GLASS, DEBRIS, CREVICES, SLIPPERY STEEL PLATES, TRENCHES,
BUMPS, MISSING BIKE SIGNS, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, & SNOW CLEARING!
* * Call 311 for all your Good Roads needs! * *
The goal of this campaign is to help ensure a more rapid response to reported road repairs that are essential to keeping cyclists safe on their daily trips throughout the city.
We encourage all concerned cyclists and citizens to use 311 to courteously report any surface hazard - this includes potholes, debris or glass on the street, and utility or construction crews that might be blocking the bike lanes while they work.
IMPORTANT Telephone Instructions
You can call hazards in to 311 and speak with an operator. Please be courteous and remember that the person on the phone is there to help take your report. ** In order for the Toronto Cyclists Union to track the City's response rate, make sure you mention that you are calling on behalf of the "Bike Union", ask that this be noted, and take down the service number. It's as simple as that and you should see results in a week or so!
We want to help the City proactively ensure safe conditions for cyclists, but need your eyes to make sure it happens!
We're working with Transportation Services to have Public Works respond quickly to problems on the Bikeway Network. Please keep us informed if your requests are NOT being attended to in a timely fashion by emailing info@bikeunion.to - with '311 Report' in the subject heading.
Status tracking
311 Toronto uses state-of-the-art technology to track requests for service. Where applicable, callers making a service request will be given a reference number that they can use to track the progress of their request through to completion. The list of track-able services will continue to grow as the 311 operation expands.
Performance reports
311 will publish regular reports that provide statistics about the number of calls answered, first-call resolution (calls that are answered by 311 customer service representatives without needing to transfer the caller to another City division) and other service measures.
The City will use the data from the 311 calls and service requests to plan, forecast and budget for improved service delivery.
Please note the new Feb, 2010 'Pavement degradation Fee' that will now be imposed on Utility companies who make cuts/repairs to services on new roads.
The City Press Release is attached at the bottom of this page.
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The Toronto Cyclists Union would like to thank the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for their guidance and demonstrated success with their 311 - Good Roads Campaign.
Cyclists Paving the Way
A Driver Appreciation CampaignThe Toronto Cyclists Union is encouraging our members, and fellow cyclists, to stop by and pick up some Thank You cards to pass along to drivers who make a point of treating you with respect in traffic. Help us promote friendlier Toronto roadways.
Toronto cyclists will be thanking drivers who remember to give them their fair share of the road through beautifully designed Thank You cards.
“It’s easy to get angry when someone cuts you off. This summer has been filled with sensational headlines about conflicts between cyclists and drivers. What people often forget are the thousands of commuters who arrive safely, and without incident, to work, school and home every day. It’s time to encourage positive behavior and find a way to reward those people who use Toronto’s roads with respect.” Yvonne Bambrick, Executive Director, Toronto Cyclists Union.
**Thank You cards will be available from Wednesday Oct 20th at these locations:
Thank You Card
- Toronto Cyclists Union headquarters @ Centre for Social Innovation.215 Spadina Ave. Suite 400. Call 416 826 2964 - Cards available from Oct 19th.
- Mountain Equipment Coop, 400 King St. W, Information desk.
- Curbside Cycle 412 Bloor St. West
- La Bicicletta, 1180 Castlefield Ave.
**Cyclists Please note: Please stay safe when handing out a card while in the road.
Tips for card delivery:
- Present card with 'Thank You' facing the driver
- Be sure not to block other cyclists if stopping in an active roadway
- Try to make the exchange quick, safe and friendly
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7vrCmR0WD8
Campaign in the News:
- http://www.cbc.ca/video/popup_audio.html?http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/toronto/ondemand/audio/oct19cyc_TOR.wma
- http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/712220--cyclists-make-nice-to-drivers
- http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=171815
- http://spacing.ca/wire/2009/10/19/cyclists-promote-friendlier-streets/
Cyclists Paving the Way is about sharing a more positive Toronto – and sharing is something that cyclists know all about. Though its true that bicycles are considered road vehicles under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA), the average cyclist is still paying more then their fair share to maintain the common road space.
“Cyclists pay taxes like anyone else. Those taxes maintain the city. The differences lie in the fact that your average bicycle causes very little damage to the road surface, and does not contribute to general air pollution.”
In spite of these facts, the Toronto Cyclists Union is encouraging its 750+ members to thank conscientious drivers and take that first step towards safer roads. The city works better when we all work together.
Via orange and brown appreciation cards, drivers will be reminded that daylight hours have begun to shift, and road surfaces are getting slicker. These cards will also emphasize that it is critical to be aware of all cyclists on the road. This time of year, there are fewer cyclists to help push awareness, so The Toronto Cyclists Union is taking a “Strength in Numbers” approach. More cyclists thanking drivers means more attentive drivers heading into winter, and ultimately, better and safer roads.
Cyclists should also remember that having front and rear lights is always important at night, but it's more important than ever during the colder months when visibility is often impaired due to weather conditions. Extra lights, reflective vests, and brightly coloured
clothing are all excellent ways to stay highly visible when cycling this fall / winter.
Leaving drivers with a final word, Yvonne states:
"While it can be said that many cyclists are also drivers, the same does not hold true for most drivers. Try to imagine what it is like to ride a bike amongst heavy active machinery and please drive accordingly. Together, we can make the roads, and the city overall, better for everyone.”
THANK YOU!!