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Welcome to the Toronto Cyclists Union's Ring & Post newsletter, your guide to Toronto cycling news. Pictured: Thanks for cycling Toronto! Bike union volunteers hand out freezies to cyclists on College Street on Friday August 19, 2011. Photo: Martin Reis |
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September 2011
1. Message from the Chair – Share the Joy of Cycling Message from the Chair – Share the Joy of CyclingBy Heather McDonald, Chair of the Board
In July, over a 1,000 riders took to Jarvis Street for a family ride to introduce Bike Nation to Ford Nation. It was a blast. The evening was also an overwhelmingly positive way to demonstrate that bikes are here to stay as part of the transportation mix. In the past I've written about my "dirty little secret;" that my involvement in cycling advocacy is not really about the bike. Instead, I believe cycling is a wedge issue contributing to healthier, less congested and even happier communities. Continue reading... Introducing Refer-a-Rider: Recruit Members and Win Prizes!
From August to October, we're calling on our 1,500+ members to help drive us toward the 2,500 member mark. We're asking you to recruit your friends, family and colleagues as members of the bike union. In exchange, we've lined up fantastic prizes from several of our partners. Signing up for Refer-a-Rider is easy. Just create a campaign page, tell your friends, family and colleagues about it and ask them to join by sending them your campaign page. For a detailed walk through on setting up your page, please visit our Getting Started page. If you have any questions, contact Jared Kolb. :: MEMBERS ONLY ::Our Member Discount Program is GrowingWe're pleased to announce the entrance of 5 new partners into our Member Discount Program! Starting September 1st, use your bike union member card to get 10% off parts, accessories and gear and 5% off bikes at both Cycle Couture and CyclePath Toronto on Yonge Street. Also, get $200 off a VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacation or discounts on career counseling programs at CareerCycles. Or get 15% off takeout at Fresh Restaurants! Read all about our Member Benefits here. We're also pleased to announce that Spacing Magazine has offered our members a special discount on their magazine subscription. Get 6 issues for $25 and save 40% off the cover price. The offer closes Friday September 9th. Contact Jared Kolb to access this offer with the following subject line: Spacing Discount. Interested in joining our Member Discount Program? Contact Jared Kolb. New Bike BoxesThis month, the City is rolling out new bike boxes on College Street. Bike boxes will be located at the intersection of College and Spadina for east and westbound traffic. The intersection of College and St. George Streets will get bike boxes for north, south, east and westbound traffic! Bike boxes are relatively new in Toronto and have been successful in other cities. If you are unsure of how to properly utilize the bike boxes, please check out these great resources here and here! Ward Spotlight: 19
The Ward 19 group has been fairly active in its first year led by co-captains Kevin Brown and Herb van den Dool. We had a few brainstorming sessions last winter where we listed all of the bike infrastructure improvements that we wanted and ranked them by which ones were the most achievable in the short term. We had a meeting with bike-friendly (and all-year cyclist) Councillor Mike Layton to discuss our initial ideas and to get to know one another. Continue reading... Request for Coroner's InquestIn 1998, following two fatal cycling collisions with trucks, the coroner stepped in to provide recommendations on safer cycling in Toronto. The City of Toronto implemented some of the recommendations and created Shifting Gears, the official Toronto bike plan, which laid out a plan to build 1,000kms of bikeways by 2011. However, the City has fallen significantly short on following most of the coroner’s recommendations, including the creation of a network of bike lanes. Now, the Toronto Cyclists Union is partnering with other active transportation and senior citizen groups to request a new review. Continue reading... Launch of Ontario Photo Card Good News for Many Cyclists
On July 25, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation introduced a new type of official, government-issued identification: the Ontario Photo Card. It is aimed at the 1.5 million Ontario residents aged 16 or over who do not hold a valid driver's licence. Eight provinces already offer similar cards to their residents without driver's licences. Continue reading... My Street Has No Trees
Noticed anything different about your bike-stand lately? In the last two months, over 150 micro-planters have been installed as part of My Street Has No Trees. Made out of re-fashioned plastic bottles, the micro-planters snap onto the vertical posts of Toronto's Ring and Post bike stands. Major installations have taken place throughout Toronto's downtown west side, with more popping up all the time. Orange ribbons tied around the micro-planters recently installed along King Street between John and University and at St. Lawrence Market honour Jack Layton and the contributions he made to bicycle advocacy in Toronto. Check them out, and make your own by visiting www.mystreethasnotrees.com. Did you notice? Ring & Post Newsletter Gets a Makeover!Here at the bike union we felt it was time for change, so we redesigned our newsletter! Big thanks to our dedicated volunteer, Angel Chen, for spearheading this project! A few things to look for in the new newsletter for increased user-friendliness:
We hope you like the new design! Upcoming EventsSept 6 - Tune-Up Tuesdays - 4pm at Linux Caffe
Sept 13 - Tune-Up Tuesdays - 4pm at Jones Library
Sept 17 - 5th Annual Black Creek Bike Race - 8:30am at Driftwood Community Centre
Sept 18 - Bicycle Music Festival - 2pm at Various Locations
Sept 20 - Tune-Up Tuesdays - 4pm at Castle Frank Station
Sept 25 - Word on the Street Festival with Bike Valet - 11am at Queen's Park
Sept 26 - Bicycle Friendly Business Awards with Bike Valet - 7pm at Gladstone Hotel
Sept 27 - Tune-Up Tuesdays - 4pm at Martin Goodman Trail
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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! Bikewatch is Expanding!Enjoy talking to people about cycling-related issues? Are you looking to get more involved with the bike union? Then join our Bikewatch outreach team! Learn more. Member SocialWe’re considering having a members night out! Give us your feedback here.
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