The start line at the Cycle Messenger World Championships on Toronto Islands
LAUNCH INTO TORONTO'S FIRST OFFICIAL CYCLISTS UNION
The Toronto Cyclists Union launched on May 20, 2008, with a public press conference at the Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Speaking guests included Mayor David Miller, City Councilor Adrian Heaps, Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac, Walk & Bike for Life Executive Director Gil Peñalosa and CultureLink Executive Director Ibrahim Absiye.
The advantage to the Toronto Cyclists Union, and for cyclists in general, is the power in numbers: the more names and emails we have of individuals in the bike union, the stronger we become when working with politicians and other interested parties in the city. There's a lot of cyclists here in Toronto, ready to get involved in making this a better city to bike in - we intend to make that known, and to help make it happen.
We've made the membership cost low enough to allow everyone to join, and it's now easier than ever with a direct credit card processing system. Take advantage of the bike union's lock removal program, social events, rides and parties, and other unique services. Visit bikeunion.to often to connect to the ideas, plans and actions of other cyclists. As we grow and gain momentum, so too will your member benefits.
Join Toronto's first member-funded, city-wide bicycle advocacy group today at bikeunion.to
Mayor David Miller shows his support at the Union's launch
photo: Gabi Sarlay
New Bike Union makes the news
Since our launch in May, the Toronto Cyclists Union has made headlines across the city. As the new representative voice of hundreds of cyclists we have already begun to establish ourselves as an important source regarding cycling issues and have been sought after for comment by most local media outlets, as well as others beyond the GTA. The more frequent recent media attention paid to cycling issues is a reflection of the growing momentum and interest in all forms of cycling, and commuting in particular. Our voice can now regularly be found in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC radio & television, Global News, CFRB, 680 News, CIUT, Toronto Sun, Eye Weekly, NOW Magazine, Toronto Social Justice Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, and at least a dozen cycling and non cycling related blogs.
Recent coverage can be viewed here
Bike Art
photo: Gabi Sarlay
Advocacy in action
In June, we met with city staff and politicians to push for increasing the number of bike lanes in our city and a full implementation of the Bike Plan.
Some highlights of recent advocacy on behalf of cyclists include:
- Speaking to councillors, and making deputations at a Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting regarding the cycling facilities on Annette Street
- Being invited as a special stakeholder by Metrolinx as they prepare a sustainable GTA-wide transportation strategy
- Attending public consultations for Don Mills LRT
- Speaking at the Etobicoke Community Council Meeting regarding the redesign of the South Kingsway/Queensway Interchange
- Engaging in discussions with Toronto Police Services to clarify procedures of the recent Bicycle Safety Blitz
Visit bikeunion.to to find out more about our successful events and the Paint the Plan campaign.
What a major East-West bike route might look like
photo: Martin Reis
Everyday activism
The Toronto Cyclists Union is currently implementing a Ward Advocacy Program whose mandate is to mobilize local cyclists in all wards of Toronto, from Etobicoke and Parkdale to Riverdale and Scarborough. Councillors need to hear from local cyclists about the issues in their neighbourhoods. The first campaign strives to hold the city accountable to the Bike Plan.
There are ways that you, as an individual, can get involved.
- Do you think that the city of Toronto needs an major East-West bike route? Write a letter to your councillor. When you're shopping on one of the major East-West streets, such as Bloor, you can also let the merchants know that you arrived by bike.
- Not quite ready to write your councillor? Know who your councillor is and pick up the phone to let them know you are choosing a cleaner and healthier mode of transportation.
- Do you believe in strength in numbers? Join the bike union!
Lex Vaughn as Pee Wee at the Pee Wee Herman Picture Show
photo: Martin Reis
Pee-wee takes Bloor St
What happens when you get a crowd of indie artists, one talented comedian, several Toronto Cyclists Union volunteers and an Iconic bicycle film? The Pee-wee Herman Picture Show, brain-child of Dave Meslin, the founder of the Toronto Cyclists Union, drew an enthusiastic crowd of 1500 people at the Bloor Cinema.
You may have seen the cover of the Eye Magazine with Lex Vaughn, leading up to the show, gleefully sitting a top the red bike in a classic Pee-wee-Style Tux. We waited with anticipation, wondering if it would live up to the expectations of the crowds that snaked down the block outside. Cyclists rode up to the Bloor Cinema in droves and volunteers eagerly parked bikes to the happy tunes of Guh. As the theater seats filled with excited bike fans, it all came together. The film screened as some of our favorite local celebrities entertained on stage. Fans sat in awe, some wore costumes, some joined in shouting out favorite lines, some had the pleasure of seeing the film for the first time - in its new-found glory. Then somehow, the cast and crew, perhaps functioning solely on adrenaline, did it all over again for a second, equally popular screening.
Best of all, the production of the Pee-wee Herman Picture Show highlights what can happen when people come together for the love of bicycles. We have many people to thank for this extremely successful fund raiser: Cast, crew, those who worked to get props and costumes together, valet bike parking attendants, staff at the Bloor Cinema, local businesses who helped to sell advanced tickets, and front of house volunteers. The uniquely Toronto Pee-wee Herman Picture Show could not have been staged without any one of these folks. Thank you!
What a great way to launch. This amazing night left members of the Toronto Cyclists Union executive team saying, in the words of Kevin Morton (an actor in Pee-wee) “I am always ready! I have been ready since first call! I am ready! Roll!”
Smiles at Bells on Bloor
photo: Martin Reis
Bells ring on a beautiful day on Bloor
On Sunday, May 25th, the Toronto Cyclists Union co-sponsored Bells on Bloor. Fifteen hundred cyclists rode safely along Bloor Street, to highlight the need for a continuous bike lane on Bloor Street and Danforth. With children, parents, and seniors singing, ringing bells and laughing, it was a true pedal-powered celebration – and the largest gathering for safe cycling in Toronto's history. Although it was a joyful celebration - cycling on Bloor should not just be a Sunday activity done with a police escort – it should be an everyday event so that our city can start reducing the number of deaths from smog, climate change, and collisions.
This east-west roadway is an ideal place for a bike lane, precisely the conclusion made in a report for the City of Toronto's Planning and Development Dept. in Feb. 1992! Bloor Street is long, flat, and free of streetcar tracks; therefore it's easy to redesign, given a little paint and political will. Indeed it's already a favored cycling route – 14% of the vehicles are the two-wheeled variety. (Unfortunately, Bloor is also one of Toronto's highest car-bike collision corridors.) Bloor Street hosts the subway, which makes Bloor a logical place for a bike lane since there is less need for car transport along this mass transit corridor. Bikes and bike lanes also have the potential to deliver far more shoppers to Bloor St. businesses.
More bike lanes, which require a mere 150 centimetres on the side of a road, would produce more bike riders. A 1998 Environics poll found that 70 per cent of Canadians would bike to work for distances that took less than 30 minutes if they had a dedicated bike lane. And where bike lanes have been created in Toronto, the number of cyclists increased by up to 42 per cent, presumably because of the huge untapped potential of Toronto's 950,000 adults who ride a bike.
Photos of the event can be viewed here.
Craig Barnes, Assistant Coordinator, focused as ever at CMWC
photo: Walter Lai
The ultimate urban cycling competition comes to Toronto
Over 40 people attended a BBQ and social ride on June 15th to cheer on the "fastest, bestest messengers on the planet" at the Cycle Messenger World Championships. Despite intermittent rain showers, the event was a great success.
Surrounded by trees, water and wildlife at Hanlan's point, the car-free community on Toronto Islands that hosted the competition, messengers from around the world challenged themselves via a variety of events designed to test both their physical and mental limits. The showcase event included hours of grueling navigation through multiple checkpoints, where racers had to determine the fastest and most efficient route to collect and drop packages. The championships are designed to replicate the real-life, high-intensity world of the urban messenger, with some spectator-friendly ramps, stairs and jumps added in.
The Toronto Cyclists Union's very own Craig Barnes had his own personal success at this year's championships, placing an impressive 20th. The bike union would like to extend a big congratulations to the event organizers and TOBMA for staging this world-class event.
For more information about the competition, visit the CMWC site.
Tania and Gwendal pause during a rainy night ride in Toronto
photo: Gwendal Castelan
Vancouver cyclists trek to Toronto to share their documentary
They've visited 22 countries and have traveled thousands of kilometres by bike - and they even have a documentary film to prove it. But Vancouverites Gwendal Castellan and Tania Lo had never been to Toronto... until last month.
The pair made the trek to Toronto on behalf of Momentum Magazine for the Cycle Messenger World Championships. During their visit, Gwendal and Tania teamed up with the Toronto Cyclists Union to present a special screening of their documentary film, Long Road North, to an engaged crowd of Toronto cyclists. The film highlights their spectacular 19 month cycling journey from Patagonia to the Canadian Arctic. For more information about the film, click here.
Having traveled to over 22 countries by bike, Gwendal and Tania are accustomed to finding the bike community in each city, town or village and exploring away. So during their visit to Toronto, they wrangled some bikes and went to town.
"When people from around the world come and visit, it’s a great opportunity to see your own town through a fresh set of eyes. These eyes noticed that Toronto has a flourishing urban cycling culture that has strong roots to grow from," she says.
Tania identified some favourite features of Toronto: 401 Richmond, home of Martin Heath’s Cine Cycle and Janet Bike Girl’s studio, two of the city's gems; the Toronto Cyclists Union's current home, the dynamic Centre for Social Innovation (a concept she'd like to bring back to Vancouver); and the Toronto Islands, an oasis in the city where she witnessed the shining spirits of messengers from around the world.
Gwendal and Tania thank Heather McDonald, Rick Conroy, Herb Van den dool, Martin Neale, Martin Heath and Janet Attard for being exceptional ambassadors of Toronto.
Lucy Perri, our featured volunteer
photo: Gabi Sarlay
Featured volunteer
Lucy Perri is very proud to call Scarborough home. Despite living out of the downtown Toronto core, Lucy is one of the Toronto Cyclists Union's most dedicated and remarkable volunteers.
Lucy is the secretary of the Toronto Cyclist Union Board of Directors. She also stepped up to emcee the Union launch in May, drove the "broom truck" (the support vehicle) for the recent Waterfront Trail Ride, helped out with tables at Pee-wee, and promoted the Toronto Cyclists Union at an event in Scarborough. What's more, Lucy regularly cycles downtown from Scarborough for meetings.
Lucy is a great ambassador: she is a CanBIKE instructor and long-time cycling enthusiast. She is a member of the Touring Concept Cycling Group, based in Whitby. Lucy is also a member of the Outing Club of East York, for which she was a cycling coordinator for five years. Her favourite place to ride her bike is the trail in Thompson Park, located at Lawrence and Brimley. Lucy's energy and passion for cycling is contagious - thanks for all you do Lucy.
If you're interested in helping the Toronto Cyclists Union grow and succeed, click here.
A mass of bikes
photo: Jammcat
What's new in New York? Toronto gets a visit from Transportation Alternatives
On July 24th at the Centre for Social Innovation, the Toronto Cyclists Union and Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation will co-host an evening of film and discussion with Noah Budnick, the Deputy Director of Transportation Alternatives in New York.
Noah is responsible for TA’s campaigns to improve and increase walking, biking and transit in NYC. He's also engaged in efforts to win congestion pricing, complete streets and increase federal transportation funding.
The evening promises to help illuminate solutions to some of the major challenges facing Toronto cyclists.
Chris Carlsson, the man who helped launch Critical Mass, visits Toronto
The legendary Chris Carlsson will be in town Sept 5 to 9, 2008.
Stay tuned to bikeunion.to for further details about speaking engagements and the Toronto launch of his new book Nowtopia!
Chris Carlsson, executive director of the multimedia history project Shaping San Francisco, is a writer, publisher, editor, and community organizer. For the last twenty-five years his activities have focused on the underlying themes of horizontal communications, organic communities and public space. He was one of the founders, editors and frequent contributors to the ground-breaking San Francisco magazine Processed World. He also helped launch the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass that have spread to five continents and over 300 cities. He has edited four books, "Bad Attitude: The Processed World Anthology" (Verso: 1990), "Reclaiming San Francisco: History, Politics, Culture" (City Lights: 1998, co-edited with James Brook and Nancy J. Peters), "Critical Mass: Bicycling's Defiant Celebration" (AK Press: 2002), "The Political Edge" (City Lights Foundation: 2004). He published his first novel, "After The Deluge," in 2004, a story of post-economic San Francisco in the year 2157 (Full Enjoyment Books: 2004). Carlsson makes his living as a book designer, editor, and typesetter. He is a member of Media Workers Union Local 100 in San Francisco. He is also recent past board president of CounterPULSE, a San Francisco-based arts organization, where he has been producing a series of public talks since January 2006. Check his website for updates on this and links to his blog and other activities: www.chriscarlsson.com
Visit: http://bikeunion.to/calendar