Cycle Toronto Ring & Post, June Edition

June 2017

Bike Valet at AGO. Photo by Danielle Griscti.  Bike Month Is In Full Swing! We kicked off Bike Month with a rainy Bike to Work Day on May 29th. Despite the wet weather, we had hundreds of commuters join us in the group ride from different start points all over the city. Thanks to Mayor Tory and all City Councillors that joined us! There’s lots of Bike Month left. Join us this Saturday for Henderson Brewery & Sweet Pete’s Family Bike Day, next Saturday for Bells on Danforth or at one of our Commuter Stations. For a full list of events click here. Stay in the loop of everything that is happening during Bike Month by following us on Facebook and Twitter and tag us by using #BikeMonth.  Bike Month 2017 is presented by MEC. Special thanks to CLIF Bar, our Lead Toronto Partner. Local partners of Bike Month 2017 include Smart Commute, Bike Share Toronto, CP24, St. Lawrence Market, Jet Fuel Coffee and NOW Magazine. Students from schools along Bloor St. at the Students for Bloor Press Conference.  Largest Bike To School Week Yet! The 4th Annual Bike to School Week took place from May 29-June 2 where more than 430 Toronto schools registered to participate! All four districts of Toronto were represented, demonstrating the promise and potential for cycling across the city.  During the week, students from five schools near Bloor Street hosted a press event calling on Toronto City Hall to make the Bloor Street bike lanes permanent and extend them east and west. Students shared their thoughts on biking to school along the Bloor Street bike lanes and expressed their ride is now safer and more enjoyable due to the protection that keeps motor vehicles at a distance.  Join or Renew Your Cycle Toronto Membership During Bike Month & You Could Win a $500 MEC Gift Card! Bike Month is halfway through and there are so many more events left to celebrate riding a bike in Toronto. This is a great time to invest in a better future for cycling in the city. Join or renew your Cycle Toronto membership now, and you’ll be entered to win a draw for a $500 gift card from MEC! Apart from the great variety of cycling events taking place every day, our advocacy campaigns continue along Bloor, Danforth and Yonge. We’re educating riders at library workshops around the city. Our member services have also expanded to include one free lock cut per year plus our standing flat-fix coverage, free legal advice and member discounts at select retailers across the city.  With so much cycling greatness, there’s never been a better time to become a Cycle Toronto member. Come celebrate with us this Bike Month and join or renew your membership today. UPDATE: PWIC on The Lower Yonge Precinct Plan Last week, the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) considered an update on the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan. The preferred designs recommended by City staff recognize and embrace how local residents are moving in the 21st century and include recommendations for cycle tracks on Lower Yonge, Church & Jarvis and a multi-use path on Harbour. Read our full submission here. The report was unanimously approved by PWIC. We’ll keep following the issue and provide updates as they happen. Photo by The City of Toronto.  Campaigns Update: Danforth, Bloor & Yonge - Loves Bikes! Join us for Bells on Danforth! Bells on Danforth returns for the 6th annual family-friendly bicycle ride across the Danforth on Saturday June 24th at 10:30am. Again this year, the parade starts with a rally at Prince Edward Viaduct Parkette and wheels east to Danforth and Danforth Road, the Crossroads of the Danforth. With a study for protected bike lanes on Danforth coming forward to City Council this Fall, we’re working hard to build local community support. Do you want to help with canvassing? Email us at canvassing@cycleto.ca New numbers on Bloor Street  The number of people riding in the Bloor Street bike lanes is as many as it has ever been, and the Bloor Loves Bikes team has been working in step with the business community to make the most of that. In the meantime, the City held another packed open house last week where they released fresh statistics showing that a large majority of people who live in the area want to keep the bike lanes. If you haven’t already, sign our Bloor Loves Bikes pledge, and stay tuned for an exciting update from our campaign team very soon. Yonge Street Survey The City of Toronto is looking for input on transportation plans in the Yonge-Eglinton Area. Fill out their Midtown In Focus Travel Survey now. Midtown in Focus is a design study that will help guide public realm improvements in the middle of our city, including the possibility of bike lanes on Yonge Street. Last Saturday, Yonge Loves Bikes hosted a group ride down Yonge Street to draw attention to the need for protected infrastructure on this busy corridor. Riders joined in for an escorted, family-friendly ride from St Clair down to Lake Ontario for a picnic in the park. Let's make bike lanes on Yonge a reality.Sign the pledge now! Cycling Education: What to Do in Case of a Collision? If involved in a collision with a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle, remember these 4 things: 1) Stay calm, 2) call out for witnesses, 3) record the licence plate number and 4) call the police. You can find these steps on the back of your member card. Contact us if you require legal advice. Looking for more tips?  Review Pat Brown of McLeish Orlando's advice on our Legal Spin page. Infrastructure Ride on May 17, 2017. Photo by Danielle Griscti.  Cycle Toronto Rides: 101 Bike Tours & Bicycle Music Fest Sunset Series Last night, we had the first of four Cycle Toronto Rides the City 101 Bike Tour.  We will be offering these guided group tours on a monthly basis from June to September. These rides are geared toward newer riders who want to build confidence on the road &  learn about Cycle Toronto while we navigate Toronto streets. Learn more about these upcoming rides here. We’re also pleased to announce the Toronto Bicycle Music Festival Sunset Series, which brings you free concerts in parks across the city! Cycle Toronto will be leading group rides along the Pan Am Path to each of these events 45 minutes before showtime, so make sure to save the dates in your calendar. The first event will be on July 18 where we’ll ride from Riverdale Park East to Flemingdon Park. You can find information about all of our events here.  These rides are supported by Relay2017.ca which has been made possible by the Toronto Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Government of Ontario, Toronto Arts Council, Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada, the Toronto Star, and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Special thanks to the Friends of the Pan Am Path. Cycle Toronto Bike Valet at Fort York Garrison. Photo by Danielle Griscti.  Bring Bike Valet to Your Community Festival: Apply to the Bike Valet Community Fund! Thanks to a successful grant from MTO and a partnership with our Gold Business Member Toronto Hydro, we are pleased to announce our Bike Valet Community Fund for 2017! We have the opportunity to provide Bike Valet in 2017 at a select number of events across the city at no cost to event holders. Priority will be given to 1-2 day events from July to September that are free and open to the public and hosted by a non-profit, charity, community organization, or Business Improvement Area (BIA). Learn more on our Bike Valet page. Don’t qualify but still want Bike Valet at your event? For more information, visit here. Jack Johnson Partners with Cycle Toronto On Sunday June 4, Cycle Toronto teamed up with Jack Johnson to host Bike Valet at his 2017 Summer Tour Concert. Our partnership with All At Once, Jack Johnson’s social action network connecting nonprofits with people who want to become active in their local and world community, didn’t stop there. They will be matching every dollar we raise through donations at events and online from June 1- September 1, 2017 up to $2,500 USD. To have a double impact on making Toronto a healthy, safe, cycling-friendly city for all, donate now. All At Once comes to life online at AllAtOnce.org.  Platinum Business Member & Bike Month Presenting Partner: MEC MEC is a retail co-op that sells exclusively to members. A lifetime membership is $5, the same since 1971. Members get the best products at fair prices, access to rental gear, one of the best guarantees around, and 1% of every sale goes to support the outdoor community. As cycling is an activity many MEC members do, we expanded our product offering in 2010 to include MEC-brand bikes. Since then, MEC's cycling line-up has evolved to include bikes from GHOST, Ridley, Cinelli and Intense. Visit their stores or mec.ca for all your cycling gear. NEWSFLASH: Cycling In The News Hundreds of cyclists hit the streets for Bike to Work Day in Toronto (Global News) How to tackle common concerns and start biking to work (Metro News) Straight from the cyclists’ mouths: How can employers encourage bike commuting? (Benefits Canada) Bloor St. bike lanes working, cyclists say, though drivers may not agree (Toronto Star)  Bloor St. bike lanes find strong support from residents (Toronto Star) Province announces $50 million dollars investment in cycling infrastructure (City News) Be prepared for battle over Bloor St. bike lanes: Micallef (Toronto Star) Parked in a bike lane? This police officer might call you out on Twitter (CBC News) How pedestrians and cyclists are changing the face of Toronto: Hume  (Toronto Star) Upcoming Events Saturday, June 17: Cycle Toronto Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop at Maria A Shchuka Library. 1745 Eglinton Avenue West (Eglinton & Dufferin) 2:00-3:00pm Saturday, June 17: Sweet Pete’s Family Bike Day at Henderson Brewery. 128a Sterling Rd11:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday, June 20: Bike Valet at Trinity Bellwoods Movie Night. Trinity Bellwoods Park 7:00-11:00pm Wednesday, June 21: Bike Valet at National Aboriginal Day Festival. Fort York Garrison Common 12:00pm-10:00pm Saturday, June 24: Bells on Danforth. Starts at Prince Edward Viaduct Parkette 725 Bloor St E 10:30am-1:30pm Friday to Sunday, June 23-25: Bike Valet at NxNE Music Festival. The Port Lands, 51 Commissioners St Friday 4:00-11:30pm Saturday 1:00-11:30pm Sunday 1:00-10:30pm Thursday, June 29: Cycle Toronto Safe Cycling 101 Workshop. Beaches Library 7:00-8:00pm Thursday, June 29: Pedals & Pints by Bike Law Canada. Brazen Head, 165 E Liberty St. 5:00-9:00pm Saturday, July 1: Ward 29 Bikes at the East York Canada Day Parade. Starts at Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Avenue) 10:00am  Thursday, July 6: Cycle Toronto Rides the City 101 Bike Tour #2 Tuesday, July 18: Cycle Toronto Rides to the Bicycle Music Festival Sunset Series: Riverdale East Park to Flemingdon Park. Ride 5:45 pm, concert; 6:30 pm Sunday, July 23: Scarborough Cycles Ride with CultureLink. Ride to Morningside Park, save the date!  Upcoming Commuter Stations Locations from June 15 to June 30 Thursday, June 15: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by MEC at Mel Lastman Square Tuesday, June 20: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by CLIF Bar Wednesday, June 21: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by Bloor Loves Bikes at Christie Pits Thursday, June 22: Bike Month Commuter Station at Kew Gardens powered by MEC Tuesday, June 27: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by Bike Share at Madison and Bloor Wednesday, June 28: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by Steam Whistle at Lower Simcoe and Lakeshore Rd Thursday, June 29: Bike Month Commuter Station powered by Foodora at Coronation Park Platinum Business Members      ​Join Cycle Toronto / Follow us on Twitter & Instagram / Like us on Facebook

Join Cycle Toronto / Follow us on Twitter / Like us on Facebook You're receiving this email because you subscribed online or at an event for "Ring and Post" Newsletter. You can add other email subscriptions here. To unsubscribe from "Ring & Post" emails, please click here. To stop receiving all email updates from us, please click here. Cycle Toronto @ Centre for Social Innovation - Spadina 149-215 Spadina Ave Toronto ON M5T 2C7

Copyright 2017 Cycle Toronto - Uploaded in it's entirety by Ward 30 Bikes from Cycle Toronto email, 2017/06/16



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Joint Letter Requesting Cycling Safety on Bayview

Our cycling advocate friends to the west and north of us recently sent a joint letter to several councillors and the mayor.  They requested for safety improvements on Bayview.  When you look at the map, it's quite striking how fragmented and incomplete the infrastructure is now. Please consider writing to the below councillors today in support of this.

To: Councillors John Burnside, Mary Fragedakis, Pam McConnell, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam

CC: Councillors Josh Matlow, Christin Carmichael-Greb, Mayor John Tory

June 5, 2017

In light of the horrific and entirely preventable death of a 5-year-old on Lakeshore Blvd last week, we request the rapid installation of safety barriers onBayview Avenue between Pottery Rd and Moore Ave, and the initiation of a safety study - emphasizing cyclist safety - of Bayview Avenue over its entire route from Moore Ave to River St.

Bayview has been identified as a priority cycling corridor for over 20 years.  Bayview is the only on-street cycling connection from Midtown, North Toronto and Leaside to the Lower Don Trail system, the Don Valley Brickworks, and downtown either via Rosedale and the Sherbourne bike lane or via River St. This route is used by thousands of young and old people who ride bikes, from experienced riders to families out on a leisurely ride. This route is also used by speeding motorists as though it were a major expressway, despite Bayview being designated as a city road.  Evidence strongly shows that motorist speed is directly linked to collision frequency and severity, therefore this higher-speed corridor presents a high risk to cyclists. 

City Council in 2005 endorsed the Don Valley Corridor Transportation Master Plan, which recommended a full Environmental Assessment for Bayview. Unfortunately, this study was never completed. 

In 2016 the City reconstructed the roadway between Rosedale Road and Moore Avenue which included (1) installation of a guardrail on the east side ofBayview, between Rosedale Valley Road and Pottery Road and (2) widening of the paved shoulder from Pottery Road to Moore Avenue, so that it is in effect a bike lane.  Unfortunately, no guardrail was installed north of Pottery Rd, and simply widening the shoulder is an inadequate safety measure. 

Also in 2016 Councillor Fragedakis tabled a motion, approved by Council (2016.MM18.10) for a functional study of Bayview including cycling safety.  Unfortunately we learned earlier this month that City staff aren't even preparing to start this study.

This is unacceptable.  We don't need to wait for tragedies like this to happen before we install basic safety features such as guardrails on bike routes next to high-speed roadways.

Therefore we recommend to:

1. Designate Bayview Avenue from Pottery Rd to Moore Ave as a cycle track, in accordance with the City’s 2016 Cycling Plan.
2. Separate the new bikeway from the roadway using appropriate technology such as guardrails or Jersey barriers.
3. Service the new bikeway to cycle track standards (regular sweeping, pothole repair, snow clearing, etc).
4. Request Transportation Services to report how additional safety measures on Bayview Avenue between River St and Moore Ave can be addressed, including extending the bikeway south from Rosedale Valley Rd, widening the paved shoulder further, and closing the gap southbound between Moore Ave and Nesbitt Ave.
5. Fully engage with the cycling community as a stakeholder during the City study.

On behalf of the users of Bayview Avenue,
 

John Taranu & Tom Worrall Cycle Toronto Midtown Ward 16 & 22 Advocacy Group cycleto.ca/ward/22	Alex Korobchevsky & Georgina Wilcock Cycle Toronto Ward 25 Advocacy Group
Geoff Kettel & Louis Fliss Cycle 26 Ward 26 Advocacy Group cycleto.ca/ward/26	Peter Rogers Cycle Toronto Ward 28 Advocacy Group cycleto.ca/ward/28
Tom Flaherty Ward 29 Bikes Ward 29 Advocacy Group 29bikes.ca	Alison Stewart & Chris Hoyle Cycle Toronto Yonge Working Group cycleto.ca/yonge

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Ward 30 Bikes Spring 2017 Newsletter

Our spring newsletter is out.  Contact us if you would like to get on the email list. Enjoy! ****

Ward 30 Bikes Spring 2017 News  The Ward30 Bikes Newsletter is back! We've been super busy, but the much loved newsletter is here! Join our next meeting  Tuesday, June 13. 7:00 - 9:00 pm Ralph Thornton Centre (765 Queen St. E.) Join us at the Ralph Thornton Centre to find out more about bike projects and events in your community, and how you can contribute. See you there! Danforth Loves Bikes Campaign Update Door to Door Canvassing Has Begun! The Danforth Loves Bikes Campaign is in full swing!  In April last year the volunteers of the campaign hosted an amazing Bikes Mean Business Event.   Volunteers also canvassed local businesses, and supporters for Danforth Bike Lanes put stickers up in their windows - you can check out the full map here - please shop and give a thanks to our amazing business supporters!  In June Council approved the 10 year bike plan which included the recommendation to study bike lanes on Danforth in the third quarter of 2017! Big thanks to Councillor Mary Margaret McMahon who with our other east end councillors championed this. In September Open Streets came to the Danforth for the first time ever so we put together a pop-up bike lane - right here on the Danforth! Awesome right? Then in October Cycle Toronto did their big Bloor Danforth Fundraiser and safety awareness ride which was a huge success! And now in Spring... the momentum continues as we just kicked off door to door canvassing. Interested in helping out with canvassing?  Contact us asap! We'd love your help! Bike Month is on! Now - June 30th Bike to Work Day was on Monday.  People from all corners of the city rode into City Hall to officially kick off Bike Month. For the 2nd year in a row the Mayor rode in to join the festivities. Here's a pic of some east side people heading to city hall with our Councillor Paula Fletcher. It's also Bike to School Week! Today students and teachers from 6 schools gathered for a press conference at Bloor and Christie urging the city to make the Bloor Bike Lanes permanent - the next generation of Toronto wants safer streets! We thank them for their civic action! For full Bike Month listings, check out the event page there is so much cool stuff every day! Withrow Farmers Market - Opening Day  Saturday, June 3. 10:30am  Bring your bike to the Withrow Park Farmers' Market this weekend and get a FREE safety check/tune-up from our volunteers.  Cycling maps and Danforth campaign materials will be available. You can also ask us about Bells on Danforth! And ... new this year, as the market coincides with the councillors compost day, our volunteers will be offering a FREE compost delivery service by bike! Bells on Danforth Saturday, June 24. 10:30am  The pedal powered parade to celebrate cycling is back! The 2017 edition of Bells on Danforth is set for Saturday, June 24. More details will be posted on the ride page as we get closer to the big day. Also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   Other upcoming events Riverside Eats n Beats - June 3rd & 4th We couldn't make it this year to help out, but it's on and better than ever! Plus our good friends at Switchback Cyclery are doing their thing for a bike themed block party Saturday June 3rd 1pm onwards.  Full event list here Leslieville Tree Festival - June 17th Back again! 12pm - 4pm we'll be there! East York Canada Day Parade - July 1st Ward 29 Bikes is organizing a bike parade as part of the annual East York Canada Day Parade: //www.eycdc.ca/.