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Welcome to the Toronto Cyclists Union's Ring & Post newsletter, your guide to Toronto cycling news. Happy New Year from the Toronto Cyclists Union! We're starting off the year by hosting Bike Winter 2012 Design by Angel Chen. |
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January 2012
1. Bike Winter 2012 Bike Winter 2012It’s easy to stay in the saddle year round! Especially with the camaraderie of other riders and a fun winter cycling event, there’s no reason to put your bike in the basement when winter hits. Whether you are looking for advice on keeping your extremities warm, or something to do on a blustery Thursday night, Bike Winter 2012 can help you enjoy your bike as an all weather option to get around the City. Join us for the Coldest Day of the Year Ride on January 30 and check out how photography meets cycling at 365 Days of Cycling, our photo exhibit showcasing cycling throughout the four seasons, on February 2. To learn more about our Bike Winter 2012 program click here! Bike Union Confirms Cost of Gravy Lane
At its July 2011 meeting, City Council voted to rescind its decision related to the bicycle lanes on Jarvis Street and take all steps required to revert Jarvis Street to its pre-existing operation. This decision results in the removal of the Jarvis Street bike lane and the reinstallation of the reversible fifth lane, or “gravy lane.” In July city staff estimated the cost of this project at $200,000. Through a request to City transportation staff, the bike union can now confirm the cost of reinstalling Mayor Ford’s Gravy Lane on Jarvis Street is $272,000. The increased cost is due to the installation of new overhead wiring and hardware to comply with current electrical safety standards. Continue Reading... Introducing Our Business MembersWe’re pleased to welcome our first Business Members!
Platinum Business Member: McLeish Orlando McLeish Orlando LLP is a Toronto personal injury law firm that has fought for justice for injured and disabled people in Ontario since 1999. Their experienced personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping people who have been seriously injured. They also represent families who have lost a loved one through the negligence of others. They never act for insurance companies or other institutions — only for the injured, disabled or wronged.
Gold Business Member: Sweet Pete's Offering high quality Trek, Giant, Kona and Opus bicycles, Sweet Pete's sets itself a part with exceptional staff and service. Every bike sold includes a lifetime warranty on frames and a 2 year service plan. Check them out at either of their two locations on Bloor west of Dufferin or in the Annex on Bloor east of Bathurst.
Silver Business Member: STAR Company Started in 2005, STAR Company is a centre for arts development. They support established and emerging artists, arts organizations and creative entrepreneurs in achieving their creative and financial goals. Their job is to deal with the essential nitty-gritty so that you can focus on what’s important – creating! STAR Company provides a range of services from full business management right through to basic bookkeeping. Learn more about Business Membership by clicking here :: MEMBERS ONLY ::Member Discount Program Gets An Upgrade!
We’re pleased to announce two new members of our Member Discount Program! Bike union members are now entitled to $30 off annual services at STAR Company and $30 off adult Blundstone and R.M. Williams boots, and $40 off all Blundstone CSA steel-toe boots at the Australian Boot Company. Learn more about all the discounts available to bike union members here! Sherbourne Street & Scarborough Waterfront Trail Public Meetings
There are three very important cycling meetings this month, so please mark your calendars! Sherbourne Meeting – Jan 26, 5pm to 8pm at 444 Sherbourne St. The first separated bike lane is coming to Toronto in 2012 on Sherbourne Street! Let's fill the room with cyclists to show our support. City Council has directed City staff to proceed with the detailed design and consultation process to upgrade the bicycle lanes on Sherbourne Street. New designs will introduce a separation between motor vehicles and cyclists, to help reduce the potential for conflicts and improve safety for all road users. Please come to this public meeting, to review detailed design information, explore problems and possible solutions, and tell the City which issues are critical priorities for you to inform the designs to upgrade the bicycle lanes on Sherbourne St. Learn more here! Scarborough Waterfront Trails – Jan 24 and Feb 1, 7pm to 9pm at Blessed Cardinal Newman High School, Auditorium The City is currently working on improving multi-use trails across the Scarborough waterfront, as part of the City's Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan. Unfortunately, there’s some opposition to the trail improvements so let’s fill the room with cyclists! The Scarborough waterfront trails form part of the Waterfront Trail system. This system is a multi-use pathway along the Lake Ontario waterfront between Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border. The first section of the Waterfront Trail opened in 1995, and a fully signed route was completed in 2008. Certain sections of the trail, including several in Scarborough, are either on-road, unimproved, or far from the water's edge. Click here for the January 24 meeting and here for the February 1 meeting. Fines Increased for Blocking a Bike Lane
At its meeting on January 4, 2012 the City’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) voted 3-2 to increase fines to motorists parked or stopped in a bike lane from $60 to $150. The motion also applies to vehicles blocking traffic during the rush-hour period. The three Councillors who voted in favour of the motion were Councillors Minnan-Wong, Layton and Perks. The two dissenters were Councillors Parker and Shiner. The proposed change will encourage drivers to park on side streets and couriers to make their deliveries outside of rush hour, making arterial roads safer for cyclists. The recommendation for the fine increase was a result of Councillor Josh Matlow and Councillor Mike Layton’s work toward the end of 2011. The motion will need final approval at the City Council meeting scheduled on February 6. Paved Highway Shoulder Initiative Will Make Recreational Riding Safer
At Queen's Park, MPP Norm Miller recently re-introduced a private member's bill to pave the shoulders of secondary provincial highways. The goal is to lay an asphalt buffer strip at least 1 metre wide on hundreds of kilometres of shoulders presently surfaced with gravel. Cyclists who ride along gravel shoulders encounter debris, rocks, erosion and puddles. However, the only other option is to ride on the highway with extremely fast-moving vehicles. Therefore, paving the shoulders of secondary highways is similar to installing bike lanes on busy urban streets. Rural collisions, statistically rarer than in the city, cause more serious injuries due to high speed limits. Paving the shoulders of highways in Iowa resulted in 15.9% fewer crashes. Passage of the bill will benefit Toronto cyclists who use the Bike Train, cycle near their cottages or undertake long-distance bike tours. You can show your support by contacting your MPP; or sign a hard copy of the petition and mail to the address listed at the bottom of the printout. The deadline is March, when MPP Miller will present the petitions to the Legislature. Strategic Planning for 2012This January, the Toronto Cyclists Union will undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process. Through member, partner and stakeholder engagement we will dream up the future of the bike union. Participants will share and discuss experiences with cycling issues in the City and by the end of the strategic planning summit, we will build a strategic plan for the direction of the bike union. The strategic plan will also include a concrete action plan built on group priorities and backed by achievable timelines. We look forward to sharing the results of our strategic planning summit to our members and supporters in February! Upcoming EventsJan 12 - Using the Bradford-Hill Criteria to Assess Car/ Bike Collisions - 12pm at 209 Victoria Street Jan 24 - Bluffers Park Multi-Use Trail Public Meeting - 7pm at Blessed Cardinal Newman High School Jan 26 - Sherbourne Street Bicycle Lanes Upgrade Public Meeting - 5pm at 444 Sherbourne St. Jan 30 - Coldest Day of the Year Ride - 12pm at City Hall Feb 1 - Harrison Estate Multi-Use Trail Public Meeting - 7pm at Blessed Cardinal Newman High School Feb 2 - 365 Days of Cycling - 7pm at CSI Annex |
About UsWe 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. Share This
Were you forwarded by a friend? Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here! Call for Submissions!Get your cameras rolling! Submit your best cycling photographic work to our 365 Days of Cycling Photo Exhibit! Read the call for submissions here. The deadline is January 25, 2012. Platinum Business Members: 
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