December 2011

1. Holiday Gift Memberships
2. Bike Projects Moving Forward
3. Safe Trucks
4. Pathways to Green Engagement
5. Gearing Up for Bike Winter
6. New TDSB Bike Program!

Holiday Gift Memberships

Looking for a great holiday gift idea? Show your support for safe cycling and get your friend or loved one a holiday gift membership! We've made it easier than ever to get the perfect stocking stuffer:

- Purchase a gift membership at one of our partner bike shops, including Sweet Pete's, Urbane Cyclist, Hoopdriver and Cycle Solutions (downtown location).

- Drop in on the ground floor of CSI Annex (720 Bathurst St) Wednesday Dec 21st between 5:00 - 8:00 pm to pick up your gift membership.

Bike Projects Moving Forward

Last week saw several key bike issues at the Toronto City Council meeting move forward. The bike union’s campaign for protected bike lanes on Richmond and Adelaide Streets continues to gain momentum! City Council voted in favour of commencing an Environmental Assessment for protected bike lanes these streets.

Councillors Ana Bailao and Denzil Minnan-Wong put forward and passed a motion to make the Dundas/Sterling intersection safer for cyclists. Both Councillors requested that City Staff report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on changes to prevent future cyclist collisions at this location. Staff will present their recommendations for improving the intersection no later than Spring 2012.

Finally, Councillors Glenn De Baeremaeker and Paula Fletcher presented and passed another motion to assess the feasibility of implementing sideguards on the City of Toronto’s large vehicle fleet, explore a possible truck sideguard policy whereby the City conducts business only with companies whose large trucks are equipped with side guards. This motion also endorsed MP Olivia Chow’s bill calling for mandatory truck sideguards at the federal level.

Safe Trucks

Safe Trucks is a grassroots initiative born out of unnecessary tragedy, and sustained by the determination to make Canada’s roadways safe for everyone who uses them. Safe Trucks is led by a group of families and friends of those who have died under the wheels of heavy trucks, because simple, sensible, and well-researched regulations have not been implemented by the federal government. The Toronto Cyclists Union has joined this initiative to provide local organizing support.

Our first order of business is the support of bill C-344, The Cyclists-Pedestrian Protection Act, tabled by MP Olivia Chow in the wake of the death of Jenna Morrison, killed on November 17th, 2011 in a collision with a truck on Sterling Avenue in Toronto. To learn more about this initiative and how to take action, please visit www.safetrucks.ca today.

Pathways to Green Engagement

Participants from the Pathways program pose with their bikes.

Need inspiration? Check out this digital story about the "Pathways to Green Engagement" program offered by our partner, CultureLink Settlement Services. Through this program, nine youth from around the world were introduced to environmental issues and organizations, while learning lots about cycling on Toronto’s streets. They made friends and had fun, while gaining practical experience as workshop facilitators and more. The bike union was proud to include these dynamic and courageous youth in our outreach team and we look forward to meeting up again soon!

Gearing Up for Bike Winter

Ready for winter? We're excited to announce that the bike union is running Bike Winter 2012! We're organizing the Coldest Day of the Year Ride happening the morning of Monday January 30th. The ride will start at City Hall at 8:00 am and conclude with hot chocolate to warm up riders. New this year, we're also organizing 365 Days of Cycling, a photo exhibit and art show. Interested in getting involved? Interested in sponsoring an event? Email us at info@bikeunion.to. More details about both events to follow.

New TDSB Bike Program!

By Ajith Aluthwatta, School Settlement Worker at Central Commerce Collegiate

Central Commerce Collegiate, a downtown high school that celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2012, can be proud of another milestone this academic year. In September 2011 the school began to offer a Cycling Repair & Maintenance course as a Grade 11 credit to students. Thanks to the initiative from TDSB Chair Chris Bolton, there are three classes who are enjoying this unique program – the only one to be offered by a Toronto high school. After the successful completion of the course, students receive one of the bicycles they built and a helmet to go with their earned credit.

To turn this modest initiative into a permanent program as part of the school’s ongoing curriculum, the cycling community can voice its enthusiasm by sending a message of support to: Chris Bolton, Chair of Toronto District School Board; Karen Falconer – School Superindent; and Iwona Kurman – Principal, Central Commerce Collegiate at the following e-mail addresses: chris@chrisbolton.ca, karen.falconer@tdsb.on.ca and iwona.kurman@tdsb.on.ca.

Upcoming Events

Dec 17 - Charlie's Freewheels Dance Party - 8pm at Charlie's Bikeshop

Dec 21 - Holiday Gift Membership Pick-Up - 5pm at CSI Annex

Jan 30 - Coldest Day of the Year Ride - 8am at City Hall

About Us

We are Toronto's only member-based cycling advocacy organization working toward creating safer streets. The more people we represent, the more power we have in creating a safe cycling city. Please join the bike union to make Toronto a better place to ride. Plus, your membership will save you money with discounts around the city. Learn more about our member benefits.

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Business Membership

We're looking for new Business Members to help grow the bike union! Business Memberships are available at various rates. If you think the organization you're a part of might be interested in becoming a Business Member, please get in touch with Jared Kolb.

Derailed Party a Success!

A big thanks to everyone who attended our Derailed Party in November! The night was a wonderful celebration of cycling in the city. We gained 41 new members that night. Thanks for helping us make it a success!

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