Update, Spacing.ca has a story today on the opening of a cycling hub in Toronto

Did you know the City has an online newsletter for local cyclists? The resource can be found here. Take a look at item number eight on the list of articles below: "Large Trucks coming to a Bike Week event near you!" At the end of April you can find out what cyclists look like from a large truck driver's perspective. While it is important that cyclist know the dangers of large trucks, if this is a systemic hazard the city should take steps to reduce the risk through better design standards. Lulu Berger wrote yesterday about Copenhagen's efforts on integrating cyclists into their city's road networks.

Please note that there are memorials this Thursday for the two cyclists killed by trucks on city streets last week:

For immediate release. For more information ? Darren Stehr 416-707-4744

Cyclist Memorials Thursday April 27th, 2006

The Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists announces two memorials for the two cyclists killed on April 20th, 2006.

Morning memorial ? Avenue Rd & Cortleigh Blvd. approximately 830am
Group ride from southeast corner of Spadina and Bloor, meet 745am, depart 8am.

Evening memorial ? Keele and Finch, approximately 8pm
Group will meet at southeast corner of Spadina and Bloor at 645pm to board subway at 7pm. Group ride from Downsview Station, departing 730pm. Please meet at the main pedestrian entrance of Downsview Station.

Please bring flowers. An effort is underway to install a Ghost Bike at each location.

The Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists will be releasing an open letter, ?City of Toronto includes Cyclists in its War on Citizens?, to the community on Tuesday April 25th, 2006, after 3pm on http://www.respect.to.

1) Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Here's what's on the agenda for this month's Cycling Committee Meeting. Visitors are welcome.

Presentation by the City Clerk's Office on Simplified Procedures for Advisory Bodies and the Toronto Cycling Committee Terms of Reference
costs and procedures for approving bicycle events in downtown Toronto
Bike Week Events
Cyclist safety in Toronto
Cyclometer Update
Reports from Subcommittees and Workgroups: Promotions Subcommitte; Education and Safety Subcommittee; Bikeway Network Subcommittee and the Transit and Cycling Working Group.
Interested? Come out and join the discussion. See Ahead in the Bike Lane for time and place or visit http://www.toronto.ca/cycling.


2) Toronto Bikes. Why don't you?

Torontonians will be confronted with that very question as new transit shelter ads hit City streets this week. With warm weather on the way it is a perfect time to encourage people to get their bicycles out and ride!

This straight forward campaign is intended to inspire cyclists and non-cyclists alike by demonstrating that cycling is a growing trend and that people all around them are using bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. These people are saving time, money, and the environment. The ads encourage non-cyclists to consider why they aren't riding and directs them to the City's website for more information on how to start.

While cycling infrastructure is a vital component of sustainable cities, people's attitudes must also change in order for cycling to be considered a practical and enjoyable mode of transportation.

It's simple. Toronto Bikes.
Why don't you?
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling


3) Community Bicycle Network's Bike Swap - April 23, 2006

Coming April 23, 2006 at the Mountain Equipment Co-op parking garage (400 King Street West) CBN will be hosting a Bike Swap. Bring your pre-loved bikes, bike clothing and parts from 8 - 10am to be priced. Open to buyers from 10am until 3pm. CBN will be taking a commission on all sales to cover costs and to raise money for other great charitable projects. Sellers can pick up the proceeds of their sales or unsold merchandise between 3 and 4pm. If you are interested in swapping your old bike(s) or helping out with the event, please contact Herb at

4) From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles coming to the Market Gallery

From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles: the amazing history of the bicycle in Toronto tells the story of the revolutionary changes to transportation in the city and how the bicycle contributed to improving our roads, liberating women and modernizing consumerism, tourism and professional sport.

The exhibit, which runs from May 20 - October 1, will feature items from the collections of the City of Toronto Culture Division, Museum & Heritage Services and the Toronto exceptional collection of historic bicycles, posters, memorabilia and ephemera. Mr. Shields, a collector for over 50 years, has donated much of his collection to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa. This exhibit is the first time that items of this scale and quality have been gathered together into an exhibit.

The Market Gallery, in partnership with the Community Bicycle Network, presents the fascinating history of the bicycle in Toronto from "scorchers" the pioneering daredevils of the 1800s to the illegal late-night "alley cat" races of today's bicycle messengers. Featuring personal histories, compelling stories and beautiful old bicycles, From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles chronicles how the bicycle has influenced the social, political and economic life of Toronto residents since 1869.


5) Lake Erie Shores Heritage Bicycle Tour

The Cycle Ontario Alliance is hosting its first bicycle tour on the Ontario Bicycling Route. A 475 km tour from Windsor to Niagara on the Lake will take place on Saturday June 24 to Saturday July 1, 2006. To find out more, go to http://www.canadiantrails.com/Erie_Shores_Sign_Up.htm
A Cycle Ontario Alliance and Ontario Trillium Foundation Funded Tour


6) The Cycling Cog

The Cycling Cog is a new social networking website for Canadian cyclists. It has blogs, event calendars, cycling groups, and ride matching profiles. It hopes to help peer to peer networking will encourage people to cycle more and take up cycling for the first time. A basic principle is that the greater the numbers of cyclists on the streets the greater the recognition that other road users give to cyclists and the greater safety for cyclists. The Cycling Cog is still a work in progress and welcomes all feedback on how to improve the experience for cyclists.


7) Rail and Road Safety Day - Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Rail and Road Safety Day is an annual event that brings Grade 3 and 4 students to Union Station for a day of safety-related activities and presentations. Students learn about many types of safety, including train, bus, bike, water, police, and ambulance. If you are at Union Station that day - check out the demonstrations.


8) Large Trucks coming to a Bike Week event near you!

Does that sound strange? Not at all. We're giving you a chance to get into the cab of a truck and see what the driver sees. It is an important perspective for you to have. Look for trucks at the Bike to Work breakfasts at the Etobicoke Civic Centre (May 30th), the Scarborough Civic Centre (June 1st) and the East York Civic Centre (June 2nd) during Bike Week. We'll be getting the message about safety for cyclists out to truck and bus drivers as well throughout the year.


9) 2006 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards

The Bicycle Friendly Business Awards are presented annually to businesses, organizations and associations in Toronto that demonstrate leadership in encouraging cycling by employees and clients. Send in your nominations for the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards by filling out the 2006 Nomination Form (PDF 30 KB). All businesses and organizations can also apply for the Bicycle Friendly Recognition Program.


10) Upcoming CAN-BIKE Courses

For complete schedule details and course fees visit http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike
Saturday April 15
Kids CAN-BIKE
9-1pm, Birchmount

Saturday April 22
Kids CAN-BIKE
9-3pm, James S Bell
1-5pm, Fairmount

Sunday April 23
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
2-5pm, Etobicoke

Saturday April 29
CAN-BIKE 2
9:30am-4:30pm, Lamport
Kids CAN-BIKE
10-4pm, Palmerston

Saturday May 6
Kids CAN-BIKE
9-1pm or 2-6pm, Oriole
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women
10-4pm, Birchmount
10-4pm, Etobicoke
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm or 1-4pm, James S. Bell

Saturday May 13
CAN-BIKE 1
9:30-3:30 pm, High Park
CAN-BIKE 2
9:30am-4:30pm, Lamport

Sunday May 14
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12pm or 1-4pm, Etobicoke
9-12pm, Agincourt
1-4 pm, Etobicoke
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
1-4pm, Agincourt

Saturday May 20
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
10-1 pm, Trinity Bellwoods
2-5 pm, Trinity Bellwoods

Sunday May 21
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12 pm, Oriole
1-4 pm, Oriole
2-5 pm, Etobicoke

Wednesday May 24
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
6-9pm, Trinity Bellwoods

Saturday May 27
Kids CAN-BIKE
9-1pm or 2-6pm, Birchmount
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1
9-12 pm James S. Bell
CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2
1-4 pm, James S Bell

Sunday May 28
CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women
10-4 pm, Centennial


11) 2006 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards

Toronto Cycling Committee
Monday, April 18, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.

Bikeway Network Subcommittee
Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 4, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.

Education and Safety Subcommittee
Monday, April 24, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.

Promotions Subcommittee
Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.

Cycling and Transit Working Group
Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 6:30 p.m., Committee Room 3, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.


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