BikingToronto

Back on June 5, BikingToronto and I Bike T.O. attended Ward 21's Bike First Friday... a breakfast get together for cyclists in Councillor Joe Mihevc's ward. It takes place on the first friday of every... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Blue "Set Me Free" Hybrid (Bay & Wellesley)

from craigslist: My bike was stolen from the bike racks in front of the Ministry building at the corner of Bay and Wellesley this Monday, June 22 between 1:30 and 4:30pm. My toddler got up this mornin... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Annette Street

BlogTO has an interesting article about the Annette bikelanes from a driver's perspective: Dupont Narrowed: a Cyclist and Driver's First Impressions On Monday, at about 4pm, I was driving northbound ... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

The Junction

Businesses who like bikes in the Junction. (Please add more stores that you know of.) Boo Radley's Junction Bar and Grill - 1482 Dupont St. ... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Stolen Bikes Google Maps Mash-Up

What's the best way of making a mash-up of the Stolen Bike Listings? ... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Results are in from the Safe Cycling Campaign

2009-07-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

Via the Bike Union - the results are in from the Safe Cycling Blitz:

Traffic Services has just released the details of this year's week-long 'Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility' campaign. The bike union is encouraged by how many drivers (3,502 tickets) were charged for doing things that endanger cyclists. Not pleased, of course, by just how many drivers regularly behave this way, just that it's encouraging to see this 'Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility' campaign correctly targetted to motorists as well.

The Toronto Cyclists Union does not however agree that tickets should be issued for 'bicycle equipment offences' (747 tickets). Many cyclists don't yet know that bells & lights are in fact mandatory. Warnings (852 of which were issued to motorists & cyclists) are far more effective in this case since forcing a cyclist to pay a ticket is likely going to tie up money that could otherwise have been used for the purchase of lights and/or a bell. Why not take the opportunity to talk with cyclists about the importance of being visible at night, and having a bell to alert people? Education in these cases would likely result in greater compliance, and in turn increased safety (as per the goal of the campaign...) - whereas tickets for this kind of thing usually just build animosity towards the police. As do the bogus tickets issued by some undertrained officers...

How do you think this campaign could be improved for next year? Please email your suggestions to info@bikeunion.to, with Subject: Safe Cycling Campaign.

Click through to review the full press release, with all the numbers.

"Safe Cycling − Share the Responsibility" campaign results
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

On Sunday, June 28, 2009, the Toronto Police Service concluded their one−week ‘Safe Cycling – Share the Responsibility’ campaign.

Officers issued 5,907 tickets to motorists and cyclists who were found committing offences. Of the tickets issued:

• 3,502 tickets were issued to motorists for offences such as opening vehicle doors improperly and failing to yield to cyclists,
• 1,373 tickets were issued to cyclists for moving violations including disobeying traffic signals and failing to yield to pedestrians,
• 747 tickets were issued to cyclists for bicycle equipment offences,
• 84 people under the age of 18 were charged with not wearing helmets,
• 198 parking tickets were issued for parking in designated bike lanes,
• 852 motorists and cyclists were cautioned with respect to a variety of related offences, and
• 10 bike rodeos/lectures involving 411 participants were held across the city.

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind motorists of the dangers of opening car doors in the path of cyclists without looking in mirrors and over your shoulder first. All drivers need to know that checking blind spots prior to making turns can be a matter of life and death. Cyclists should never attempt to pass vehicles on the right near driveways or intersections.

All road users have a responsibility to share the road equally by driving safely, riding responsibly, playing smart and obeying all the rules of the road.

Weekly News Wrap-Up: Planning A Bike-Friendly City

2009-07-03T10:39:00.006-04:00

Happy Friday! Here's the news from the past week:

Globe and Mail: A city made for cyclists (Hint: it's not Toronto)

There's a big, disturbing gap between what's normal for cyclists in Toronto and what's normal for cyclists in Copenhagen. Normal in Toronto means biking as an edgy urban sport. Normal means risking life and limb to dodge cars, pedestrians and, during the winter, ice and snow on roads and dicey bike paths. Normal in Copenhagen means bike paths receive the same kind of snow removal as the city's main arteries. In Copenhagen, half the city's population uses some of its 350 kilometres of devoted lanes, which is normal. (more at the Globe and Mail)

Spacing Toronto: The role of local government in promoting cycling

With Bike Month all wrapped up for another year, it seems only appropriate to tackle to question of how our local government can take the reigns from cycling advocates and bike month organizers by promoting cycling through policy. (more at Spacing Toronto)

Toronto Star: Where the streets have no cars

Great article about Vancouver joining the ranks of New York, San Francisco, Portland, Bogota, etc in embracing the car-free streets movement. They'll be closing off 4 neighbourhoods to cars on Sundays in July and August, creating 20 car-free routes just for pedestrians and cyclists.

Toronto has 7 car-free Sundays in Kensington Market this year... and really, a lot more downtown areas should embrace the concept too. The Church and Wellesley area would be fantastic with no cars on Sundays in the Summer. My personal favourite though, would have to be the Yonge-Dundas Square area... Yonge from Gerrard to Queen and Dundas from Victoria to Bay (excepting streetcar passage, of course). Some may put up a fuss, but businesses would do well, and tourists would love it!

Where would you like to see car-free Sundays? Discuss it in the Forum.

July 3: New Content on BikingToronto

2009-07-03T09:45:00.001-04:00

June 30: New in the BikingToronto Forum [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 08:25 AM PDT

Norco Kokanee - Orange (Bloor/Brunswick) Stolen from my backyard just north of Brunswick. The bike has horns on the handlebar (the right one is broken in half), slicks for tires, clipless pedals, fro... Read more...

Free I Bike T.O. T-Shirts at Bike First Friday [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 07:50 AM PDT

June 30: New on the Stolen Bike Listing [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 04:29 AM PDT

Headlines: How Municipal Governments Make Cities Bike-Friendly [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 04:18 AM PDT

Globe and Mail: A city made for cyclists (Hint: it's not Toronto) There's a big, disturbing gap between what's normal for cyclists in Toronto and what's normal for cyclists in Copenhagen. Normal in T... Read more...

June 30: TCAT News Bulletin [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 01:55 AM PDT

BikingToronto is a TCAT supporter. Here's the latest from TCAT:1. Bloggers Keep Bike Summit 2009 Discussion Alive TCAT's Bike Summit wound up over a month ago but we are pleased to note that while th... Read more...

Photo of the Day: Skirt [Main Blog]

Posted: 30 Jun 2009 01:07 AM PDT

Photo by Xander N'Dante... Read more...

BikingToronto Archives: June 30 [Main Blog]

Posted: 29 Jun 2009 10:39 PM PDT

2006 Cycling Cog Ride Photos2007 New Stuff In The BikingToronto StorePhoto of the Day - Sat, June 30th2008June 30: Photos of the Week Photo of the Day: College & St. George From the Archives: ... Read more...

June 29: Added Yesterday to the Stolen Bike Listing [Main Blog]

Posted: 29 Jun 2009 11:44 AM PDT

Kona Caldera Stolen (Queen and Logan) Posted: 27 Jun 2009 05:51 AM PDT Gold Kona Caldera stolen at Queen and Logan Saturday June 27, 2009. Marzocchi suspension, XT, disc brakes, very sweet. "Ecclest... Read more...

June 29: New in the BikingToronto Forum [Main Blog]

Posted: 29 Jun 2009 04:34 AM PDT

Toronto Star: Where the streets have no cars Posted: 26 Jun 2009 10:18 AM PDT Great article about Vancouver joining the ranks of New York, San Francisco, Portland, Bogota, etc in embracing the car-f... Read more...

June 29: New Content on BikingToronto [Main Blog]

Posted: 29 Jun 2009 04:30 AM PDT

<... Read more...

Cycling Events This Week: June 29 - July 5 [Main Blog]

Posted: 29 Jun 2009 12:43 AM PDT

What's on this week:View more than the next week on the BikingToronto Events Page. 20090629 20090629 Jun 29 7pmToronto Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting Committee Room 22nd Floor, City Hall100 Queen... Read more...

Photo of the Day: Scarf Style [Main Blog]

Posted: 28 Jun 2009 11:01 PM PDT

Photo by Xander N'Dante... Read more...

BikingToronto Archives: June 29 [Main Blog]

Posted: 28 Jun 2009 10:38 PM PDT

2006 Welcoming New CommutersCritical Mass Tomorrow! 2007 Toronto's Weekly CarnagePhoto of the Day - Fri, June 29th2008June 29: Yesterday in the BikingToronto Flickr Group Photo of the Day: Art Gall... Read more...

Photo of the Day: Brick Street Bakery [Main Blog]

Posted: 27 Jun 2009 11:59 PM PDT

Photo by Xander N'Dante... Read more...

BikingToronto Archives: June 28 [Main Blog]

Posted: 27 Jun 2009 10:35 PM PDT

2006 Biking In The Islands, Dragonboating And T-ShirtsDarren Stehr's Critical Mass Book 2007 Photo of the Day - Thurs, June 28thTomorrow is BikeFriday2008June 28: Yesterday on the BikingToronto Comm... Read more...

Photo of the Day: Humber Bridge Cyclist [Main Blog]

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 11:57 PM PDT

Photo by Prof. Tournesol... Read more...

BikingToronto Archives: June 27 [Main Blog]

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 10:32 PM PDT

2006 Tuesday Morning Showers Bikeway Network Subcommittee MeetingCycling Cog Toronto Group Ride 2007 News from Elsewhere - Wed, June 27thPhoto of the Day - Wed, June 27th News Links - Wed, June 27... Read more...

July 3: New on the Stolen Bike Listing

2009-07-03T09:44:00.001-04:00

Blue "Set Me Free" Hybrid (Bay & Wellesley)

from craigslist:

My bike was stolen from the bike racks in front of the Ministry building at the corner of Bay and Wellesley this Monday, June 22 between 1:30 and 4:30pm. My toddler got up this morning asking for his usual bike ride to "school". I am mad - as I am sure most people feel as victims of bike theft - but the audacity to take a bike with a toddler seat on the back! This was our transportation to daycare and work!

The bike is a "Set Me Free", deep blue, men's hybrid (19), not even one month old. There is a limo co-pilot seat on the back and a silver wire basket on the front.

I will pay to get it back. I just want the same bike, with toddler seat (nice to have the helmet and shoes back too!) returned. Please consider reselling this to me - or alerting me if you see it. I will agree to whatever discretion necessary to pay for its return.

Email: sale-ky2xj-1237293496@craigslist.org

View This Post | View Stolen Bike Listing | View Forum

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July 3: Latest Comments Update

2009-07-03T09:34:00.001-04:00

Re: West Toronto Railpath Construction has started

Thanks for the info, Michael. I've just added Boo Radleys to the new Junction section of a just-starting Bike-Friendly Business Directory over on the Forum. :)

Re: West Toronto Railpath Construction has started

To celebrate the opening of the West Toronto Railpath we at Boo Radley's Junction Bar & Grill (1482 Dupont St ) will be offering 15% off all food for those hearty souls riding their bikes. All you need to do is show up on your bike and come on in! Great patio, great food and great prices ... even better now! This is not a limited offer. It is permanent.

Photo of the Day: Orange Paper

2009-07-03T06:16:00.000-04:00

Photo by Xander N'Dante

BikingToronto Archives: July 3

2009-07-03T05:45:00.000-04:00

2007:
You Don't Have To Be A SuperHero To Save The Planet
News Links - Tues, July 3rd
Photo of the Day - Tues, July 3rd
News from Elsewhere - Tues, July 3rd

2008

July 3: Today's Headlines

Photo of the Day: Rain on Mt. Pleasant

From the Archives: July 3rd

Explore old BikingToronto with posts like this or the Archives Page.

Photo of the Day: Red Helmet, Blue Scarf, Yellow Skirt

2009-07-02T06:13:00.001-04:00

Photo by Xander N'Dante

BikingToronto Archives: July 2

2009-07-02T05:44:00.000-04:00

2007
Photo of the Day - Mon, July 2nd

2008

TCAT News Bulletin: July 2nd

Photo of the Day: April Critical Mass, College & Spadina

From the Archives: July 2nd

Explore old BikingToronto with posts like this or the Archives Page.

Photo of the Day: Boots

2009-07-01T06:11:00.001-04:00

Photo by Xander N'Dante

BikingToronto Archives: July 1

2009-07-01T05:42:00.000-04:00

2007
Photo of the Day - Sun, July 1st

2008

July 1: Weekly Site Daily Digest

July 1: Added Yesterday to the Stolen Bike Listing

July 1: Yesterday on the BikingToronto Community

Photo of the Day: Eco Cab

From the Archives: July 1st

Explore old BikingToronto with posts like this or the Archives Page.

June 30: New in the BikingToronto Forum

2009-06-30T15:25:00.001-04:00

Norco Kokanee - Orange (Bloor/Brunswick)

Stolen from my backyard just north of Brunswick. The bike has horns on the handlebar (the right one is broken in half), slicks for tires, clipless pedals, front and rear fenders... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Click here to visit the BikingToronto Forum

Free I Bike T.O. T-Shirts at Bike First Friday

2009-06-30T14:50:00.002-04:00

(Also posted on I Bike T.O.)

Back on June 5, BikingToronto and I Bike T.O. attended Ward 21's Bike First Friday... a breakfast get together for cyclists in Councillor Joe Mihevc's ward.

It takes place on the first friday of every month, so this friday it'll be going again... and BikingToronto and I Bike T.O. will be there again, and giving away some FREE I Bike T.O. t-shirts and selling some too ($20, all profits go to charity), if you've been looking at getting one.

Here are a few photos from the June 5th Bike First Friday - of the breakfast, and one of the winners of a free I Bike T.O. shirt.

June 30: New on the Stolen Bike Listing

2009-06-30T11:29:00.001-04:00

Norco Kokanee - Orange (Bloor/Brunswick)

Stolen from my backyard just north of Brunswick. The bike has horns on the handlebar (the right one is broken in half), slicks for tires, clipless pedals, front and rear fenders, back rack, a thin, hard Italian seat, and the part where the pedals attach to (always forget the name) is a bit loose, and can't be fixed.

View This Post | View Stolen Bike Listing | View Forum

Headlines: How Municipal Governments Make Cities Bike-Friendly

2009-06-30T11:18:00.001-04:00

Globe and Mail: A city made for cyclists (Hint: it's not Toronto)

There's a big, disturbing gap between what's normal for cyclists in Toronto and what's normal for cyclists in Copenhagen. Normal in Toronto means biking as an edgy urban sport. Normal means risking life and limb to dodge cars, pedestrians and, during the winter, ice and snow on roads and dicey bike paths. Normal in Copenhagen means bike paths receive the same kind of snow removal as the city's main arteries. In Copenhagen, half the city's population uses some of its 350 kilometres of devoted lanes, which is normal.

Spacing Toronto: The role of local government in promoting cycling

With Bike Month all wrapped up for another year, it seems only appropriate to tackle to question of how our local government can take the reigns from cycling advocates and bike month organizers by promoting cycling through policy.

June 30: TCAT News Bulletin

2009-06-30T08:55:00.002-04:00

BikingToronto is a TCAT supporter. Here's the latest from TCAT:

1. Bloggers Keep Bike Summit 2009 Discussion Alive

TCAT's Bike Summit wound up over a month ago but we are pleased to note that while the event itself is over, bloggers are keeping the ideas alive. Read Torontoist's Cycling to the Summit , Spacing's multi-part "Reaching the Summit" series: Cycling Advocacy and Community Engagement, Bicycle Parking, New Approaches to Street Design and The Role of Local Government in Promoting Cycling and Comic Book Junkie's Toronto "bike wars" debate rages.

All media, photos, and interviews from the Bike Summit can be viewed here and powerpoint presentations here. Stay tuned for TCAT's summary report to be published in the coming months.

2. Bike Lanes - Good for Us, Our City, and the Bottom Line

An article written by Nancy Smith Lea, TCAT's Program Director, was published in the current issue of Harvey Kalles Collections Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 3 (pages 23-24). The title of the article is Bike Lanes - Good for Us, Our City, and the Bottom Line. The article is available on-line or you can download a copy here.

3. New Book on how Cyclists are Changing American Cities

A new book titled "Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities" sounds like it's worth a read. Author Jeff Mapes argues that cycling promotion can raise society’s level of general fitness, since people exercise more when it seems less like exercise and more like something mostly enjoyable that also performs a function, like getting to work. “Bike and walking advocates,” he writes, “have been rebranding their cause as ‘active transportation,’ which manages to come off as nonthreatening to your average couch-bound American while carrying a nice touch of gravitas as well.”

The New York Times published a review of the book written by David Byrne (arguably New York City's most famous cyclist) available here.

4. Research Finds Urbanites Healthier than Suburbanites Worldwide

According to a June 16th SDSU NewsCenter article, "No matter which country you are in, new research finds those who live in an urban neighborhood are twice as likely to be physically active the those in the suburbs. According to a San Diego State University study published in this month's American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the biggest single factor influencing physical activity around the world is accessibility to sidewalks.

"Researchers looked at data from 11,541 survey participants in 11 countries, which included the United States, Lithuania, Brazil, Sweden and Japan. Those individuals who reported living in a city neighborhood with easy access to sidewalks were 15-50 percent more likely to get moderate-to-vigorous activity at least five days a week for at least 30 minutes each day. SDSU professor and lead author Jim Sallis said this is likely because sidewalks can be used for recreation like jogging and in-line skating as well as for transportation, in lieu of using a car or other means of transportation..."

From CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.

Photo of the Day: Skirt

2009-06-30T08:07:00.001-04:00

Photo by Xander N'Dante

BikingToronto Archives: June 30

2009-06-30T05:39:00.000-04:00

2006
Cycling Cog Ride Photos

2007
New Stuff In The BikingToronto Store
Photo of the Day - Sat, June 30th

2008

June 30: Photos of the Week

Photo of the Day: College & St. George

From the Archives: June 30th

Explore old BikingToronto with posts like this or the Archives Page.

June 29: Added Yesterday to the Stolen Bike Listing

2009-06-29T18:44:00.001-04:00

Kona Caldera Stolen (Queen and Logan)

Posted: 27 Jun 2009 05:51 AM PDT

Gold Kona Caldera stolen at Queen and Logan Saturday June 27, 2009.
Marzocchi suspension, XT, disc brakes, very sweet. "Ecclestone bikes" on chainstay, clear Serfas grips,
please contact me d.overland@wildmail.com
thank you

June 29: New in the BikingToronto Forum

2009-06-29T11:34:00.001-04:00

Toronto Star: Where the streets have no cars

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 10:18 AM PDT

Great article about Vancouver joining the ranks of New York, San Francisco, Portland, Bogota, etc in embracing the car-free streets movement. They'll be closing off 4 neighbourhoods to cars on Sundays... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Anti-HST Bike Rally at Queen's Park

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 04:16 AM PDT

I just got back from the Anti-BikeTax Rally at Queens Park (the incoming HST will add about tax to bikes and related items - which have been previously exempt from Provincial Sales Tax), and I took so... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...

Anti-HST Bike Rally at Queen's Park

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 04:13 AM PDT

From Rowena Santos, who you may remember ran for City Council in 2006 in Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park: Fellow Cyclists, As many of you know, the proposed 8% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will directly impa... Click to read more in the Forum >>>...