Message from the Board

Board Chair Karey Iron provides an update on board activities:

On June 18, the bike union held its first annual general meeting (AGM) to report the year's activities to our members. As President of the Board and chair of the AGM, I was delighted at the standing-room-only attendance and the enthusiasm and energy in the meeting room at our Centre for Social Innovation home. More than 60 members received a hard copy of our gorgeous first annual report, written by Heather McDonald, Yvonne Bambrick, and myself, and designed by Simon Farla. We marked our meeting with the members' acceptance of our financial report (presented by our finance advisor David Janzen), voting for an expanded Board, and a discussion led by Yvonne highlighting the critical successes, volunteer activities and milestones over the year. Members were encouraged to speak about their own local successes and to suggest activities for the coming year. Minutes of the meeting have been posted.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Smith Lea and Lucy Perri who resigned from their positions as Board members due to competing obligations. Their honesty and thoughtful contributions to our discussions helped to balance accountability and creativity. On behalf of all of us, thank you!

Our first Board meeting with our expanded Board, for a total of twelve people, took place on July 18th. Our new members come from diverse backgrounds and have vast experiences, which are detailed in their respective bios. I am very excited to work with this group of people, and I believe they will expand our current thinking about governance and accountability. The Board members for the next year are:

• Deborah Adams - new member
• Raj Bharati - Treasurer
• Paul Bredin - new member
• Nic de Salaberry - new member
• Mark Franklin - new member; Interim Secretary
• Roberto Garcia - new member
• Tovi Hielbronn - founding member
• Anthony Humphreys - Vice President
• Karey Iron - President
• Heather McDonald - new member
• Dave Meslin - new member
• Ben Smith Lea - new member

After the AGM, the members in attendance and guests had the opportunity to meet and celebrate with each other. I would personally like to thank everyone who contributed to organizing the business meeting and the party -- it was a welcoming and smoothly run event.

Call for Membership Renewals - your support is key to our sustainability

by Yvonne Bambrick

Thanks to the financial and volunteer contributions of cyclists like you, our organization has had a benchmark setting first year! And we really want to keep working for you. Your Toronto Cyclists Union is working hard to make positive changes to our city's cycling culture. With your help we won bike lanes on Jarvis St. and Annette St., and we collaborated with the City's Transportation department and local cyclists on the West End Bikeways initiative to address deficiencies in the bike plan. These are just three recent examples of how Toronto cyclists are benefiting from the bike union and our members' collective voice. We are advocating every day on your behalf for additional and higher quality bike lanes, paths, parking, and acceptance of cycling as a viable means of transportation.

Here are some examples of what we plan to achieve with your ongoing financial support:

• The complete implementation of the Toronto Bike Plan (and beyond)
• The adoption of Complete Streets policy by the Province of Ontario
• A Road Repair Reporting Campaign -- 'Pothole Patrol'
• Physically separated bike lanes on Lawrence Ave. and other appropriate locations
• Updating of the Ontario Driver's Handbook to include more information about cycling and new bike related road markings

But we can only continue working towards the much-needed culture shift and infrastructure upgrades with the financial backing of fellow cyclists like you. Your early support for the bike union shows you are as committed to cycling in Toronto as I am. The fact that we are member-funded means we enjoy a greater freedom to speak up and, with your continued support, achieve long-term financial stability.

Please take a moment to check the date on your member card, and visit http://bikeunion.to/join to renew if it's that time of year ;) Thanks again for being a member of the bike union!

** Please accept our apologies for any extra 'Renewal Reminder' emails that you may have received in error. Our web team has been setting up the automatic email system - looks like we've got it all worked out now ;)

Cycling license and registration, please

by Hayley Easto

Toronto City Council has considered and rejected the idea of licensing cyclists several times in the last 25 years, most recently in 2005. Each time the idea has come to council, it has been defeated as an expensive and ineffective way to increase the safety of cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.

Ward 22 (St. Paul's) Councillor Michael Walker recently told CBC Radio that he is considering resurrecting a motion in council to license cyclists. Walker cited a lack of proper documentation of riders as a barrier to enforcing the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and municipal by-laws. He also floated the idea of a mandatory helmet law for riders over the age of 18 and mandatory insurance for cyclists.

Ward 35 Councillor Adrian Heaps, chair of the city's cycling committee, and Daniel Egan, the city's manager of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, pegged the cost of a licensing scheme at $60 per rider at a recent Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee meeting. That's the amount they say the city and/or province would have to charge to break even.

Critics say strict and consistent enforcement of licensing would divert limited resources away from enforcing the existing traffic rules that already apply to cyclists. Others, including Toronto Cyclists Union Executive Director Yvonne Bambrick, argue that cyclists already pay for their use of the roads through taxes, and that "One of the most effective ways to improve road safety and education would be through the licensing system that is currently in place. Updating the Driver's Handbook to include much more information for and about cyclists/cycling would reach many more road users. Additionally, I believe the best use of City resources is the long overdue implementation of a connected network of quality bike lanes/paths across the city, combined with a recurring public education campaign about safe cycling and road sharing behaviour."

Other practical concerns about cycling licenses include granting licenses to children, tourists, and residents of adjacent municipalities, and the administrative challenge and high cost of establishing and maintaining a testing and licensing program for Toronto's enormous cycling community, recently estimated at more than 939,000 adult riders, and growing.

For his part, Heaps is on record with the Toronto Star saying he believes cyclists should be licensed just like those who drive a car.

What do you think? Let your views be known by completing our really, really quick survey.

Executive Director wins 'Vital People' grant

The Toronto Community Foundation is recognizing the work of bike union Executive Director Yvonne Bambrick as vital to a vibrant Toronto. Bambrick received almost $5000 for leadership and skills development training from the Foundation's Vital People program.

The grant program supports and recognizes leaders who are making outstanding contributions working or volunteering at not-for-profit organizations.

The funds will allow Bambrick to pursue a week-long 'art of leadership' course at the Hollyhock Centre in Vancouver this August. She will also take a number of courses in fundraising, management, organizational development and growth at the Canadian Urban Institute and Imagine Canada, among others.

"This training will deepen my knowledge of organizational management, fundraising, cycling culture, and membership development, and will give me new tools to identify needs and opportunities within the cycling community," Bambrick said. "The grant will have a positive impact on my advocacy work and enhance my ability to further develop the capacity of the Toronto Cyclists Union."

Bike Train Partnership with Toronto Cyclists Union offers members green travel rewards!

by Peter Lipscombe

As of July 1, Toronto Cyclists Union members have access to green travel rewards with the Bike Train. An introductory promotion of 15% off the Ontario North Bike Train (Toronto-North Bay) will run from August 7-10. This program soon will be expanded to include other routes and destinations.

The Bike Train is a fun, economic, and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy a cycling getaway in Ontario this summer. Getting to the destination is made easy as passengers travel in comfort while their bicycles are safely secured in a baggage car with bike racks.

This year, the Bike Train is continuing service to Niagara Falls and is piloting service to North Bay. The Ontario North Bike Train will take passengers from downtown Toronto to the unspoiled wilderness, clear lakes, and diverse landscapes of North Bay.

There are several special events planned for the North Bay weekend, including a welcome event with the Ontario Minister of Tourism, group rides led by local cyclists, and a Bike Train cocktail party (including valet bike parking). Enjoy a Northern welcome and cycle Ontario this summer!

*Toronto Cyclists Union members will receive $20 off the North Bay Bike Train ticket. Discounted tickets must be booked over the phone at 416-392-1556. Visit www.biketrain.ca/toronto-bike-union for more information.*

Bike Pirates: three years of DIY cycling

The volunteer collective know as Bike Pirates describe themselves as an "anarchist, non-profit, do-it-yourself bike repair/construction space." They've been changing the cyclist landscape in Toronto since the spring of 2006 by teaching riders how to fix their own bikes and by giving them the space and the tools to do the job right.

They started out in a humble, generously donated space on Bathurst St. just south of College. Only having room for a couple of bike stands, the shop wasn't big enough to accommodate demand from all the Toronto cyclists eager to adopt the Pirates' edict to 'fix your own bike.' On the busier summer days, patrons would spill out onto the sidewalk and into the backyard. Clearly, there was a need in the cycling community for a volunteer-run, DIY, non-profit, pay-what-you-can space for people to fix their bikes. The Pirates have retained this support and energy from the community over the years, winning back-to-back awards in 2007 and 2008 from I Bike T.O. and the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards, and managing to move into a new larger workspace at Bloor and Landsdowne, offering greatly expanded hour s.

The Pirates have built strong ties within the community by setting up bike repair shops at P.S. Kensington (Pedestrian Sundays) and a variety of community fairs. They've also set the benchmark for accessibility in the cycling community, not just through their PWYC pricing, but also by setting up women and trans-specific hours at the shop.

The Pirates do their part to help the community at large as well, by donating bicycles to the homeless and working closely with the Charlie's Freewheels project, as well as offering free lunches (in defiance of the saying, "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"). The shop is staffed entirely by volunteers, and kept afloat by support from the community.

Valet bike parking for hungry shoppers

Valet Bike Parking is now available at the Green Barns Market. Every Saturday morning, the historic Artscape Wychwood Barns transforms into a fun and busy food market. Hungry shoppers descend as soon as the market opens, and they search for their favourite fresh meats, fruits and vegetables. The Toronto Cyclists Union's bike parking team is there to take care of their bikes, helping make their shopping experience quicker and more enjoyable.

Valet bike parking works like a coat check for bikes. It is a free service offered by the Toronto Cyclists Union. Satisfied cyclists say:

• "We come for the bike parking first, food second."
• "This is so great. Your help holding my bike while I load my groceries is so welcome!"
• "Toronto needs this all over."
• "This saves me so much time (not having to lock up)."

In addition to fresh produce, the market offers coffee, sweet and savoury treats, live music, and products such as soap, jam, breads, and teas. Market hours are 8am to 1pm. Stop by and check it out - and get your bike parked free and safely! It's a fun time.

Ward 29 hears update on city bike plan

by Val Dodge

On June 17, Ward 29 Bikes, with assistance from Councillor Case Ootes's office, held a public information meeting for east-end cyclists. Fifty people packed the meeting room at the East York Community Centre on a rainy night to participate in discussions and hear presentations from local cycling advocates and City of Toronto staff.

The speakers covered a wide range of topics of interest to local cyclists:

Daniel Egan, the City of Toronto's manager of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, painted the big picture of the Toronto Bike Plan, including plans for trails along rail lines and hydro corridors in the east end, the challenges of putting in bike infrastructure, progress on potential fixes for the problems identified in the Bloor Viaduct Safety Report, and the need to revisit and revise the Bike Plan on a regular basis to meet changing needs. He also emphasized that the Bike Plan is about more than just on-road bike lanes: it also includes adding off-road paths, bike parking, and other infrastructure, and it requires that the needs of cyclists be considered in all new transportation projects. Meeting participants were particularly interested in progress on the Bloor-Danforth bike lane study.

Yvonne Bambrick, the Toronto Cyclists Union's Executive Director, spoke about the Union's successes in its first year and the tasks ahead. Brian Betsworth of Cycle 26, our neighbours to the north, explained the efforts that Cycle 26 has undertaken to engage the community and political process, including getting Councillor John Parker to take part in the Group Commute to kick off Bike Month. Donald Wiedman of Bikes+Transit waxed eloquent on the benefits of combining cycling with public transportation to explore the GTA. And Christina Bouchard, the City's Cycling Outreach and Events organizer, spoke about all of the work that goes into making Bike Month events so popular every year.

We thank all of the speakers and participants for coming out on such a rainy night and spending a couple of hours talking about cycling in the east end. The information we gathered and the new friends we made have helped us set our priorities for improving cycling in and around the neighbourhood.

The full meeting report will be available online soon at the Ward 29 Bikes website. Watch for more news from us soon!

Busy Ward 20 ramping up advocacy

by Ada Chan

From battling traffic along Queen Street, to navigating side streets, to the University of Toronto's St. George campus, cyclists often face challenges in Ward 20, one of the busiest wards in the city. Following a ward-wide cycling meeting held by Councillor Adam Vaughan, in partnership with the Toronto Cyclists Union, in February of this year, the Ward 20 Cycling Committee was formed. With the goal of providing the councillor's office with feedback to make the ward more bike-friendly, the group is open for anyone to join.

To date, committee members have been busy compiling a list of priorities for improving cycling in the ward. These priorities will be included in a report that will be presented to the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee and City staff so that they can better understand the cycling goals in Ward 20. So far, potential actions include improving signage for cyclists around Queen's Park Circle and creating contra-flow lanes on Brunswick Avenue.

If you would like to contribute your ideas for improving cycling in Ward 20, please contact Councillor Vaughan's Constituency Assistant Dale Duncan at dduncan@toronto.ca or 416-392-4044.

Mihevc hosts Bike First Fridays

City Councillor Joe Mihevc's Ward 21 launched its first Bike First Friday this past May in partnership with the Ward 21 Chapter of the Toronto Cyclists Union, led by Bernie Morrow. Mihevc is hosting the social and community-building event on the first Friday of the month all summer long, providing opportunities for the community to give him direct feedback at these informal breakfast meetings.

Ward 21 cyclists and their families gather for a light breakfast at the Wychwood Barns before heading off to work, school, or camp. These gatherings are both a social opportunity and a chance to catch up on cycling issues in the ward and in the city.

Participants meet at the Community Gallery, at the east end of Barn #1 at the corner of Wychwood and Benson. Breakfast costs $2. For further information, contact Beth Gosnell in Councillor Mihevc's office at bgosnel@toronto.ca.

Events

'Volunteer Night' at the Bike Union's Monthly Cinq à Sept (July 30)

July's event will be a special 'Volunteer Night'. The Toronto Cyclists Union runs on volunteer power - we simply would not be able to do all this good stuff without the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of many committed cyclists like you! If you've ever considered spending a couple of hours a month getting more involved in the cycling community, this is a great time to come out and meet some of the team.

Our Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Leehe Lev, along with Executive Director Yvonne Bambrick, will be on hand to answer questions and give you an update about some exciting upcoming volunteer opportunities. We have several events, and campaigns that need champions, as well as a few folks to take on smaller, bite-sized roles. Please contact Leehe at volunteer@bikeunion.to for more information.

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, July 30, 2009 (and the last Thursday of every month)
• Hours: 5:00pm - 7:30pm (extended hours this month for Volunteer training)
• Where: The Victory Cafe at 581 Markham St.

Gallery Spin: A Guided Bike Tour Of Art Galleries In Toronto's West End

• Led by Mia Nielsen, curator at the Drake Hotel
• Gallery Spin takes place on the following dates:
• Thursday, July 30
• Thursday, August 27
• Thursday, September 24

• Meeting point: Trinity Bellwoods Park @ the Queen St. gate, between 6:30 - 7 pm, Tour starts at 7 pm
• First 20 people receive a complimentary drink ticket for Quick Fix at the Drake Hotel
• Art up your bike and receive special prizes!
• Contact: Riu Pimenta info@mediancontemporary.com

Big Wheel Bike Club (every Saturday)

Big Wheel Bike Club is a downtown cycling club that meets every Saturday at 11am at the Amsterdam Brewery. The club is free to join, Just show up on any Saturday with valid government issued identification. Members must be 19 years or older. Weekly Speakers: Top brand reps, Stretch workshops, Broil King BBQ workshops, Nutritionists etc...

Complimentary Après ride sampling and Broil king BBQ on Saturday's 1-3pm. For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77861518243

Bike First Fridays (Aug 7)

Please join the Toronto Cyclists Union and members of Joe Mihevc's constituency office on the first Friday of every month for a light breakfast. For the summer months we'd love to make it a family affair. We are inviting children and their friends to ride to the Barns and join us, too. Bike First Fridays are currently scheduled for August 7, September 4, October 2.

• What: Monthly Bike First Fridays
• When: Friday, August 7th, 2009
• Hours: 7:30am - 8:30am
• Where: Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. , East end of Barn #1 in the public gallery

Suburban Casual Mass! (Second Saturday of every month)

Join the monthly celebration of bicycle culture in the suburbs of Toronto: Suburban Casual Mass! Riding as a group, we create a safe haven for all riders in a space which would otherwise be a danger zone for non-motorists. Suburban Casual Mass aims to focus attention on cycling conditions outside of downtown. It's time to make every street a cycling street!

• What: Suburban Casual Mass
• Who: Everyone
• When: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 (second Saturday of every month)
• Hours: Gather at 3:00pm, depart at 3:30pm
• Where: Meet at 2300 Yonge Street (Yonge St and Eglinton Ave, northwest corner) in front of the Yonge & Eglinton Town Centre sign
• Contact: suburban.critical.mass@hotmail.com

We cordially invite you to come join us on our ride! Should you have any questions, contact Jacob Louy at (647) 274-9082, or by email at the address above.

TCAT Film Screening - Cycling activism documentary 'Veer'

• Thursday, August 27th - 8 PM at CineCycle (401 Richmond Street, coach house)
• Tickets, $8 dollars
• Drinks and espresso available for purchase at the bar.
• **Bike union will have a group ride to Cinecycle following our Aug 27th 'Toronto Cyclists Union 5 a 7 Social' at/from the Victory Cafe

The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation is proud to present Veer, a full-length documentary on community based cycling activism through five main protagonists.

The film has received numerous awards, including Best Documentary at CUFF and a nomination for Best Documentary at the San Joaquin International Film Festival. Cinematographer Jason Turner recalls, "in Feb the film played the Victoria Film Festival where it sold out its first screening, and was the only film to have a second screening added which also sold out with as many people waiting outside as got in to see it". So, if you want a chance to see Veer in Toronto, line up early for our August 27th screening at CineCycle, at 8 PM.

To learn more about Veer, visit the website: www.veerthemovie.com

Event Calendars

Biking Toronto events calendar

City of Toronto cycling events

I Bike TO events calendar

Toronto Cyclists Union events calendar