Ring and Post February 2009

Image: Yvonne Bambrick

Despite frigid winter temperatures, the Toronto Cyclists Union is maintaining its cycling advocacy momentum. We continue to work hard for more bike lanes on Toronto streets, and to build membership to strengthen the force of our advocacy voice.

We're experiencing a great wave of support for cycling: people are recognizing that riding a bike is fashionable, green, fast, fun, and the media is focusing attention on cycling issues. Let's use this momentum and make Toronto a great cycling city. Support the bike union's efforts by becoming a member today.

The bike union believes that everyone can be an advocate for safer streets and a healthy city. City councillors want to hear your views on cycling issues in your neighbourhood. More pro-cycling voices from across Toronto speaking out at City Hall means more bike-friendly votes at committee meetings - votes in favour of cycling initiatives we all want.

In this issue of the Ring and Post newsletter, we download the results of the Toronto Bike Awards and highlight two of the event's key volunteers, provide an update on what's happening in Ward 21, and keep you up to speed on all the cycling events happening in the city.

Table Of Contents

Celebrating Those Who Make Cycling Their Business
A matter of membership
What's happening in our wards
Featured Volunteers
Events

Logo By: Simon Farla

Celebrating Those Who Make Cycling Their Business

Spokesperson and Assistant Coordinator Yvonne Bambrick reports on the first annual Toronto Bike Awards.

Who knew that celebrating cycling could be so much fun? We did! While the City of Toronto has been giving out the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards for 20 years now (!), they had yet to make these presentations a real "must attend" event. The Toronto Cyclists Union decided to shake it up a bit this year by partnering with the City on the presentation of the BFBA's and by kick-starting our very own Toronto Bike Awards in an effort to celebrate our city's amazing cycling advocates.

It just so happens that our inaugural awards night fell on January 20^th, the same day as President Obama's inauguration! The ballroom of the fabulous Gladstone Hotel was packed shortly after the doors opened, and by the time our MC Matt Blackett (of Spacing magazine fame) took the stage, there was barely breathing room...

More members = a stronger voice.
Image: Frank Theriault

A matter of membership

Assistant Coordinator Craig Barnes explains why the Toronto Cyclists Union needs your membership.

Membership does matter! More members means more power to advance our pro-bike agenda and build the Toronto bike network. By supporting the bike union, you're investing in a valuable, unified voice for Toronto cyclists, and are helping to create safer streets and a healthier city. We have a great track record, political support, and a dedicated professional staff. All we need to transform this city into a cycling paradise is you!

Members help us meet our goals, which include:

Pressing the City for more bike lanes and the full implementation of the Bike Plan
Being a positive voice for cyclists in the media
Winning more funding for cycling projects in Toronto
Cracking down on bike theft in our city by working with police and pushing for adequate bike parking wherever you ride

Every membership counts. The Toronto Cyclist Union's voice grows stronger because our members give us the clout and support we need to be heard. There is more work ahead if we're going to achieve our vision of a citywide bike network. So come together with nearly 500 other members and join the bike union today! And please forward this newsletter to your cycling friends.

Ward 21 Captain Bernard
Morrow with Councillor
Joe Mihevc
Image: Joe Mihevc's office

What's happening in our wards

Ward Captain Bernard Morrow sent us this update on Ward 21 cycling news. Ward 21 is bounded by Spadina in the east, Winona in the west, Dupont to the south, and Briar Hill to the north.

In November, the Ward 21 chapter of the Toronto Cyclists Union invited ward members, community cyclists, Councillor Joe Mihevc, and Dave Dunn (of the City's Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Unit of Transportation) to the Artscape Wychwood Barns for a meeting to help set cycling priorities for the ward.

Those in attendance agreed on three priority areas:

1. Better planning to ensure safer and more accessible bike routes
2. Increased focus on education and promotion
3. Improved bike parking and storage facilities

Within the three priority areas, many possible activities were discussed, including...

The Bike Union's Craig Barnes and Yvonne Bambrick
Image: Alison Palmer

Featured Volunteers

Newsletter Editor Alison Palmer pinpoints two people who helped make the Toronto Bike Awards a huge success.

When passionate cyclists gathered to celebrate cycling advocacy at the Toronto Bike Awards last month, the result was a fabulous party.

Two people were integral in making this party happen - the bike union's Assistant Coordinators Craig Barnes and Yvonne Bambrick (also Spokesperson).

Craig and Yvonne are both long-time, all-season cyclists who have dedicated countless volunteer hours towards making Toronto a more cycle-friendly city.

Craig is a former bicycle messenger and member of the City of Toronto Bicycle Promotions team. After organizing Toronto Bike Week in 2000, he had the opportunity to work for Transportation Alternatives in New York City, where he was the Events and Membership director. He is now a letter carrier in downtown Toronto and has a wonderful bike-filled family life with his wife and 3-year old daughter.

Yvonne believes that cities and streets are for people (not cars…) and has been getting around by bike since the age of 16. Subsequent to her return in 2003 from living and studying in Sydney, Australia, Yvonne has been helping to make her native Toronto a more pedestrian and cycle-friendly city through activism, community initiatives, and municipal politics (she was on local councillor Adam Vaughan's first campaign team).

Thank you both for making the first annual Toronto Bike Awards a huge success.

Events

Newsletter Editor Alison Palmer collects the month's cycling activities.

Bike union's monthly cinq à sept

Cinq à sept at the Victory Cafe
Want to hear what the bike union is up to? Do you have ideas for current projects or future campaigns? Want to share stories of the road or current events that are of interest to your community? Then come on out to the Victory Cafe and raise a glass with your union!
Our monthly cinq à septs are intended to provide a space where bike union board, executive, management team, ward captains, volunteers, and members can come together and converse over a refreshing beverage. A cinq à sept is an informal gathering to bring us together for casual conversation, outside of a meeting context. It's a space where the union can meet, just for the sake of getting to know each other.

Join us for the next cinq à sept - all are welcome!

What: Monthly Bike Union Cinq à Sept
When: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 (and the last Thursday of every month)
Hours: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: The Victory Cafe at 581 Markham St.
Sundays at Bike Pirates

The Bike Pirates' work space.
Image: Bike Pirates
Every Sunday afternoon, Bike Pirates opens its work space exclusively to women and transgendered people.

Bike Pirates is an autonomous organization whose mission is to empower cyclists and make bicycles more accessible. Volunteer-run and organized, Bike Pirates provides a community do-it-yourself work space, sensitive to the concepts of bicycle re-use, collective decision making, and social justice. The organization was recently awarded a Bicycle Friendly Business Award for Best Skills Development. Congrats, Bike Pirates!

What: Bike Pirates Hours Exclusively for Women and Transgendered People
When: Every Sunday afternoon
Hours: 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Bike Pirates at 1292 Bloor St. West
Once upon a commute

Once Upon a Commute! - a
photo journal contest.
Smart Commute Toronto - Central and Spacing magazine are pleased to announce Once Upon a Commute! - a photo journal contest.
Tell your commuting story and enter for a chance to be published in Toronto's award-winning Spacing magazine. Winning photos and runners up will be posted online at www.spacing.ca, and the winning submission will be published later this year in Spacing! The contest runs until April 30st, 2009. Winning photos will be announced in May 2009. Check out the complete contest details.

	Image: Yvonne Bambrick
	Despite frigid winter temperatures, the Toronto Cyclists Union is maintaining its cycling advocacy momentum. We continue to work hard for more bike lanes on Toronto streets, and to build membership to strengthen the force of our advocacy voice. We're experiencing a great wave of support for cycling: people are recognizing that riding a bike is fashionable, green, fast, fun, and the media is focusing attention on cycling issues. Let's use this momentum and make Toronto a great cycling city. Support the bike union's efforts by becoming a member today. The bike union believes that everyone can be an advocate for safer streets and a healthy city. City councillors want to hear your views on cycling issues in your neighbourhood. More pro-cycling voices from across Toronto speaking out at City Hall means more bike-friendly votes at committee meetings - votes in favour of cycling initiatives we all want. In this issue of the Ring and Post newsletter, we download the results of the Toronto Bike Awards and highlight two of the event's key volunteers, provide an update on what's happening in Ward 21, and keep you up to speed on all the cycling events happening in the city. Table Of Contents Celebrating Those Who Make Cycling Their Business A matter of membership What's happening in our wards Featured Volunteers Events
	Logo By: Simon Farla Celebrating Those Who Make Cycling Their Business Spokesperson and Assistant Coordinator Yvonne Bambrick reports on the first annual Toronto Bike Awards. Who knew that celebrating cycling could be so much fun? We did! While the City of Toronto has been giving out the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards for 20 years now (!), they had yet to make these presentations a real "must attend" event. The Toronto Cyclists Union decided to shake it up a bit this year by partnering with the City on the presentation of the BFBA's and by kick-starting our very own Toronto Bike Awards in an effort to celebrate our city's amazing cycling advocates. It just so happens that our inaugural awards night fell on January 20^th, the same day as President Obama's inauguration! The ballroom of the fabulous Gladstone Hotel was packed shortly after the doors opened, and by the time our MC Matt Blackett (of Spacing magazine fame) took the stage, there was barely breathing room... Continue Reading...

	More members = a stronger voice. Image: Frank Theriault A matter of membership Assistant Coordinator Craig Barnes explains why the Toronto Cyclists Union needs your membership. Membership does matter! More members means more power to advance our pro-bike agenda and build the Toronto bike network. By supporting the bike union, you're investing in a valuable, unified voice for Toronto cyclists, and are helping to create safer streets and a healthier city. We have a great track record, political support, and a dedicated professional staff. All we need to transform this city into a cycling paradise is you! Members help us meet our goals, which include: Pressing the City for more bike lanes and the full implementation of the Bike Plan Being a positive voice for cyclists in the media Winning more funding for cycling projects in Toronto Cracking down on bike theft in our city by working with police and pushing for adequate bike parking wherever you ride Every membership counts. The Toronto Cyclist Union's voice grows stronger because our members give us the clout and support we need to be heard. There is more work ahead if we're going to achieve our vision of a citywide bike network. So come together with nearly 500 other members and join the bike union today! And please forward this newsletter to your cycling friends.
	Ward 21 Captain Bernard Morrow with Councillor Joe Mihevc Image: Joe Mihevc's office What's happening in our wards Ward Captain Bernard Morrow sent us this update on Ward 21 cycling news. Ward 21 is bounded by Spadina in the east, Winona in the west, Dupont to the south, and Briar Hill to the north. In November, the Ward 21 chapter of the Toronto Cyclists Union invited ward members, community cyclists, Councillor Joe Mihevc, and Dave Dunn (of the City's Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Unit of Transportation) to the Artscape Wychwood Barns for a meeting to help set cycling priorities for the ward. Those in attendance agreed on three priority areas: 1. Better planning to ensure safer and more accessible bike routes 2. Increased focus on education and promotion 3. Improved bike parking and storage facilities Within the three priority areas, many possible activities were discussed, including... Continue Reading...
	The Bike Union's Craig Barnes and Yvonne Bambrick Image: Alison Palmer Featured Volunteers Newsletter Editor Alison Palmer pinpoints two people who helped make the Toronto Bike Awards a huge success. When passionate cyclists gathered to celebrate cycling advocacy at the Toronto Bike Awards last month, the result was a fabulous party. Two people were integral in making this party happen - the bike union's Assistant Coordinators Craig Barnes and Yvonne Bambrick (also Spokesperson). Craig and Yvonne are both long-time, all-season cyclists who have dedicated countless volunteer hours towards making Toronto a more cycle-friendly city. Craig is a former bicycle messenger and member of the City of Toronto Bicycle Promotions team. After organizing Toronto Bike Week in 2000, he had the opportunity to work for Transportation Alternatives in New York City, where he was the Events and Membership director. He is now a letter carrier in downtown Toronto and has a wonderful bike-filled family life with his wife and 3-year old daughter. Yvonne believes that cities and streets are for people (not cars…) and has been getting around by bike since the age of 16. Subsequent to her return in 2003 from living and studying in Sydney, Australia, Yvonne has been helping to make her native Toronto a more pedestrian and cycle-friendly city through activism, community initiatives, and municipal politics (she was on local councillor Adam Vaughan's first campaign team). Thank you both for making the first annual Toronto Bike Awards a huge success.
	Events Newsletter Editor Alison Palmer collects the month's cycling activities.
	Bike union's monthly cinq à sept Cinq à sept at the Victory Cafe Want to hear what the bike union is up to? Do you have ideas for current projects or future campaigns? Want to share stories of the road or current events that are of interest to your community? Then come on out to the Victory Cafe and raise a glass with your union! Our monthly cinq à septs are intended to provide a space where bike union board, executive, management team, ward captains, volunteers, and members can come together and converse over a refreshing beverage. A cinq à sept is an informal gathering to bring us together for casual conversation, outside of a meeting context. It's a space where the union can meet, just for the sake of getting to know each other. Join us for the next cinq à sept - all are welcome! What: Monthly Bike Union Cinq à Sept When: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 (and the last Thursday of every month) Hours: 5:00 - 7:00 PM Where: The Victory Cafe at 581 Markham St. Sundays at Bike Pirates The Bike Pirates' work space. Image: Bike Pirates Every Sunday afternoon, Bike Pirates opens its work space exclusively to women and transgendered people. Bike Pirates is an autonomous organization whose mission is to empower cyclists and make bicycles more accessible. Volunteer-run and organized, Bike Pirates provides a community do-it-yourself work space, sensitive to the concepts of bicycle re-use, collective decision making, and social justice. The organization was recently awarded a Bicycle Friendly Business Award for Best Skills Development. Congrats, Bike Pirates! What: Bike Pirates Hours Exclusively for Women and Transgendered People When: Every Sunday afternoon Hours: 12:00 - 4:00 PM Where: Bike Pirates at 1292 Bloor St. West Once upon a commute Once Upon a Commute! - a photo journal contest. Smart Commute Toronto - Central and Spacing magazine are pleased to announce Once Upon a Commute! - a photo journal contest. Tell your commuting story and enter for a chance to be published in Toronto's award-winning Spacing magazine. Winning photos and runners up will be posted online at www.spacing.ca, and the winning submission will be published later this year in Spacing! The contest runs until April 30st, 2009. Winning photos will be announced in May 2009. Check out the complete contest details.