Toronto, bike city to be.
image: Sophia Huda/David Meslin
Let's transform our beautiful city into a bike city.
Toronto cyclists are abundant, and are geared up to make this city a better place to bike in. To truly make an impact, we must work together and exploit our strength in numbers: the more members the Toronto Cyclists Union has, the stronger our voice becomes.
If you haven't done so already, join Toronto's first member-funded, city-wide bicycle advocacy group, click here.
Your opinions are another valuable asset to the Toronto Cyclists Union: They are a persuasive tool for convincing government, businesses and community organizations to make the right investments in cycling. In the near future, we will send an email inviting you to participate in a survey about cycling in Toronto. We want to know more about your commute, understand your thoughts on how to make city streets safer and learn how to better serve you. Your participation will help us reduce barriers to cycling for others. Thanks in advance for your assistance with this initiative.
In this issue of the Ring and Post newsletter, we have an update on what the Toronto Cyclists Union has been doing for you, advice from one of New York City's biggest cycling advocates, profiles of individuals who are improving cycling conditions on Toronto streets, and information about upcoming events that you won't want to miss.
Table of Contents
Hanging with Noah after speaking event at CSI
photo: Yvonne Bambrick
Letter from one of New York City's greatest cycling advocates
On my recent visit to Toronto I saw great cycling potential and a lot of bike love. I witnessed some of the best (and worst) of what your beautiful city has to offer two-wheelers. What I heard from local activists and what I experienced while biking, is that Toronto is spinning its wheels - making little progress on becoming a more bike-friendly city. So many cyclists, so much bike promotion, lots of cycling in the media, yet so few bike lanes and protected spaces for cyclists. It reminded me of how New York was when I first began working at Transportation Alternatives 8 years ago.
Since then, Transportation Alternatives has doubled its membership and quadrupled its staff, helping to create real changes for cyclists faster than anywhere else in North America. Evidence is more bike lanes, new street designs, increased number of bicycle parking spaces, car-free days and the list goes on. Having more Transportation Alternatives members has raised the cyclist's voice and forced New York City to respond to cyclists needs.
After spending time in your great city, I think it is also possible to create a well-organized, respected group for realizing pro-bicycle changes in Toronto. That voice is the Toronto Cyclists Union and your membership will help make it possible.
I hope you will take a moment and visit bikeunion.to/join to become a member and support their work. I have seen for myself the improvements a large public interest cycling group can make, and I have witnessed the strong commitment of the Toronto Cyclists Union. Please add your voice and become a member today. A unified voice is a strong voice.
Noah Budnick is the the Deputy Director of Transportation Alternatives in New York City, whose mission is to reclaim New York City's streets from the automobile, and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives. Noah's role is to oversee and coordinate TA's successful advocacy and media campaigns.
Cycle the Greenbelt, the world's most diverse region of its kind.
image: Margaret Hastings-James, Tour de Greenbelt Coordinator.
A fresh air festival on wheels
On your mark. Get set. Meander.
This September, join Mountain Equipment Co-op and The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation as they raise funds for Ontario cycling groups (including the Toronto Cyclists Union) and explore Ontario's Greenbelt by bike.
Partake in any or all of four unique routes, each highlighting distinct features of Ontario's 1.8 million acres of protected Greenbelt, the world's most diverse region of its kind. Morning kick-off events, en route activities, and top-notch local food events will enrich the Tour de Greenbelt experience and connect cyclists to the many communities visited along the way.
This is an opportunity to enjoy the moment and change the future: 100% of Tour de Greenbelt pledge proceeds will be donated to support cycling clubs, and to maintain safe and active cycling networks in southern Ontario. The tour aims to ensure that cyclists can return again and again to indulge in the bounty of Ontario's Greenbelt.
Saturday September 20, 2008 - Rouge Park Loop
Sunday September 21, 2008 - Newmarket to Lake Simcoe
Saturday September 27, 2008 - Burlington to St. Catharines
Sunday September 28, 2008 - Niagara-on-the-Lake Loop
For more information, click here
Mr Something Something gears up for their pedal powered party.
photo: Chris Guy
Participate in a pedal-powered party
They have brought their irresistible rhythms and politically charged, high energy show to major festivals and small communities all across the country over the past five years. They have played on organic farms, performed in a food co-op and, last year, even played a wind powered concert. But on September 20, the members of Toronto's JUNO-nominated Afrobeat collective Mr. Something Something raise the bar by organizing Canada's first bike powered, live music dance party at the beautiful Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto's Don Valley.
With some help from their loyal fans and an electrical engineer, and support from all those who attended the band's fundraisers this summer, Mr. Something Something is setting up green "generating stations" to hook bicycles up to. All audience members have to do is take turns pedaling away to make sure the music doesn't stop.
The environmentally and kid-friendly pedal powered party happens in conjunction with a Conservation and Sustainability Fair at The Brick Works and, since it's a Saturday, the weekly Farmer's Market will be loaded with local goodies from 8am to 1pm. In other words, it's going to be a lot of fun.
Mr. Something Something will play their first set at 10am, followed by a performance (that incorporates a bicycle) by songwriter/wordsmith/theatre artist Evalyn Parry at 11am. The band will then play another set at 12pm.
The show is free and there will be ten stations/bicycles available for those who want to help power the concert. Serious cyclists interested in doing 20 minutes or more of non-stop sustained pedaling should register in advance by contacting Johan Hultqvist via email or phone: 416-533-8663 ext1.
Cycle, walk or take the free shuttle bus to this event from Broadview station. For directions, maps, schedules and more information, click here
Bikes as a public good.
photo: Gabi Sarlay
What is the future of public bikes in Toronto?
The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT), The Clean Air Partnership & The Community Bicycle Network are proud to present: "Bikes as a public good: What is the future of public bikes in Toronto?"
At this public forum event, learn about public bike programs from cycling experts and policy makers, and help organizers determine what a public bike program in Toronto should look like.
Date: Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue at St. George
Speakers include:
- Michel Philibert, Stationnement de Montreal
- David Boyce, OYBike Systems Ltd
- Herb van den Dool, BikeShare/Community Bicycle Network
The event is moderated by Dave Meslin. And a short film will be shown: Bike Share in Paris by Streetfilms.org.
For more information, click here.
Chris Carlsson visits Cinecycle.
photo: Yvonne Bambrick
Chris Carlsson cruises into Toronto
Chris Carlsson, the San Francisco-based co-founder of Critical Mass and author of Nowtopia: How Pirate Programmers, Outlaw Bicyclists and Vacant Lot Gardeners are Inventing the Future Today! visited Toronto for four days at the beginning of September. He was here to communicate his vision of how bicycles, new technologies and improvisational activists are transforming our politics and our cities.
Aided by Toronto Cyclists Union spokesperson Yvonne Bambrick, Chris met community organizers, chatted with bike bloggers at a bike union-organized event and reflected on cycling in the city. Calling Toronto's scene "super impressive," Chris was less enchanted by the road conditions for cyclists, observing that riders are "generally left to fend for themselves on the unfriendly streetscapes."
"It's surprising how many cyclists are out in the streets considering how poor conditions are overall," he said.
Chris also noted that those increased numbers are part of a cycling boom across North America. "There are a lot of new cyclists [in Toronto] like most places," noted the author. "Tons of people are seeing other cyclists and figuring 'why not me?' and indeed, why not?"
For more on Chris' visit to Toronto and his thinking on community building, visit his blog
David and Marie-Claude on the Waterfront Trail Adventure.
photo: David Juliusson
Featured Volunteer
David Juliusson is a founding member of the Toronto Cyclists Union and is a Ward Captain in Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore. A veteran Toronto cyclist, David rides daily from his home in Long Branch to Fort York, where he works as a program officer. David is also a strong voice for cycling advocacy - he seems to know all the trails, stays on top of all the issues, and is a crucial member of the bike union's management team.
This has been a particularly busy summer for David: he volunteered as a guide on the hugely successful 1st annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure. Together with hundreds of cyclists young and old, David cycled almost 700kms in just eight days, passing through 41 communities from Niagara-on-the-lake all the way to Cornwall. Although he had a great time, David couldn't get the frustrating stretch of Scarborough out of his mind. This area winds through residential areas where there are virtually no signs marking the trail. David took the initiative to write a letter to Councillor Heaps of Scarborough's Ward 35, expressing his concerns and making suggestions for improvement. We should soon see signs on that stretch of the trail, as well as in the section through David's Ward 6. We'll have David's perseverance to thank for it!
David has also been vocal about the lack of encouragement to cycle to Exhibition Place and the Toronto Cyclists Union is now engaging in discussions about this issue with city staff.
His dedication and enthusiasm is an inspiration to us all - thanks for helping to make Toronto a better place to cycle, David.
Meeting to determine the fate of bike lanes.
photo: Gabi Sarlay
Putting bike lanes on the agenda
On September 8th, the Toronto Cyclists Union's strong, unified voice was heard at an important meeting to discuss the fate of Toronto bike lanes.
The meeting, held at City Hall by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC), was a chance for the Union to make deputations and ensure that the city is on track to implement the planned 50kms of bike lanes for 2008.
The lanes that were up for approval, with their associated wards, include: Brimorton Drive (38), Conlins Road (44), Horner Avenue (6), Renforth Drive (3) and The Queensway (6). Together, the lanes totalled 13.2 km. Their implemention would have upped the total length of bicycle lanes approved and constructed from 100.8 km to 114 km, of the total 495 km of bicycle lanes proposed in the 10 year Toronto Bike Plan, initially scheduled for completion by 2010.
In general, the meeting was a lively and healthy debate on the future of cycling in Toronto.
One of the highlights was Gil Peñalosa's presentation on "Moving beyond the baby steps", where he repeatedly called for action, rather than talk. He gave numerous examples of other cities that have moved beyond talk to actually doing something, and said climate, or any other reason we could give for our inaction, is not a valid excuse.
Five deputants argued in favour of the proposed bike lanes, but the opposition of some councillors, and members of the PWIC, (plus some last-minute changes to the proposals that proved ill-advised) blocked the successful passing of the proposals. As a result, no lanes were approved. Instead, they were sent back to city staff for further review. The lanes will be up for approval, possibly with changes, at the next PWIC meeting in early October - a meeting to which the Toronto Cyclists Union will again bring its strong voice.
The Toronto Cyclists Union also plans to continue our outreach / cycling education with city councillors, as some displayed a shocking lack of knowledge of the Bike Master Plan, and of Toronto cycling issues in general.