Cycling in the News (Not carnage)

http://www.mirror-guardian.com/news/Villager/Column/article/28558

QUEBEC TO OPEN 4,000-KILOMETRE BIKE ROUTE
I'm jealous!

Seven deaths in 19 days - where is the outrage?
Waterloo Record
Saturday June 23, 2007
BILL BEAN

sometimes there are happy endings to the yelled "discussions" that motor vehicle drivers have with cyclists on the road. Here's one, from this city:

http://valdodge.com/2007/06/27/cyclists-revenge/

I think it would be interesting to compare the number of fatalities to motorists (killed by other drivers) in comparison to cyclists. The argument I hear again and again is that motorists are out to get cyclists. Folowing the same logic, I guess they are also out to get other motorists. I am pretty damn sure there have been more than 7 motorists deaths in the past 19 days.

They're all tragic stories. Most of them preventable.

On average there is just over one pedestrian death a week on our city's streets due to a collision with a motor vehicle. There is typically three to four deaths a week of motorists or thier passengers in the GTA. And there is about 5-6 deaths of cyclists a year on Toronto's streets. This is strictly from my memory looking at past stats, so I may be off.

I still like the pdf found here, even if it is from 1947, little has changed:
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/web/public.nsf/Documents/murder_most_foul

Cyclists rights, duties

This is an odd one, but I don't see the same number of kids riding as when I was young. The bike racks_ (plural) at the schools I went to were always full.

Now, if the school has a bike rack (singular), it's rarely full (at the schools I've visited) and instead I too have seen this at most schools.

The news articles I'm posting are these ones discussing the lack of level of fitness in our youth. Cycling can, and should, be part of the answer.

Orazietti Announces $20,000 for Bike-Ology
McGuinty Government Provides Funding for Bicycle Workshop

Is there anything like this in Toronto or the GTA?

Cyclists, motorists square off on pros, cons of bicycle-only lanes ... - Peterborough Examiner

letter to the editor in The Record:
Cyclists must also show responsibility on road
While I agree that cyclists should share the responsibilty, the bulk of the responsibily lies with the motorists, not with thier victims.

About Mississauga's first-ever Bike Friday: Cyclists make smart commute

Residents gather at Town Hall meeting

Bicycle theft leads to bigger things

Despite the price we'll drive and whine; Gas prices have long been a source of irritation, but people are unlikely to act

Comfort on a long road
it's about http://www.warmshowers.org/

Onus is on drivers when opening car door

Cyclists must endure bad drivers, bad roads

Great way to stay fit
Don't we know it!

From Waterloo: Tim Hortons Presents Class Of 2007 New Bikes And Helmets
& free promo space too

And From North Bay: Good deeds earn new bikes

An editorial: Sidewalks a ready answer to bicycle path debate
Many, many cyclists already do this.

From the Peterborough editorial:

"A bicycle is not a vehicle in any sense or concept of the word."

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act says:

“vehicle” includes a motor vehicle, trailer, traction engine, farm tractor, road-building machine, bicycle and any vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power, but does not include a motorized snow vehicle or a street car; (“véhicule”)

And even if you don't agree with the HTA, maybe a dictionary would help? Try this:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vehicle

He addresses some good points about cyclist safety and perception of safety though. It's sad to see that cyclists are getting scared off the roads.

this one is just so bizzare, I had to post it:
Green experts ban cycling to work
A firm which advises councils on green transport has come under fire for banning its staff from cycling to work.

From Inside Toronto: Woman seriously injured in bicycle accident

Viljak called the incident “accidental” and said it involved “just the bicycle.”

It sounds to me like she fell on the handlebar end, but the article doesn't say...

“It’s kind of an odd injury,” said Toronto Emergency Medical Services duty officer Dave Viljak.

No kidding it's an odd injury.

Bicycle education and enforcement blitz conducted in downtown

... 42 cyclists were charged with driving a bicycle on the sidewalk and other Highway Traffic Act offences ...

Safe cycling program better than bike lanes

Personally, I think both are required. And motor vehicle drivers should have a better education too.

Cycling open house set

Condo buyers will probably be hearing a lot more these days about bike storage in new developments.

About time, too.

Going green to get the gold

I lived in a condo that had a few bike storage rooms. Mostly they were crammed with bikes that were rarely used. Those of us who cycled regularly had to deal with a pile of bikes that hadn't been touched in ages.

Something like the individual bike lockers would have been great. I hope that is what the developers are thinking of. My sub compact car certainly wasn't using all of my parking spot - there would have been room for a locker.

Odd argument in article. How much more does it cost to put in a bike lane compared to widening the curb lane, they both suffer from the same ills (poorly plowed, debris is not removed by passing cars, more potholes, etc).

While education is good and helps it is certainly not a cure all. Drivers go through a lot of "education" before they get a license, they still manage to play bumper cars on an hourly basis. Problem does not lie in the fact they have education or not but rather that they are not paying attention to the road. Who can blame though with all of those nice ads you can read when driving or when they can watch TV and drive.

Not even between your legs!
Man robbed of bicycle after physical altercation

Anthony if you go through crime reports listed on the Toronto Police web site you will find that there are a few Bike Jackings a week, if not daily, in Toronto. They peak in the summer and can be quite violent and more often than not involve teens.

Darren, I don't read those, but if you do, please feel free to post those that relate to cycling here. Or you can make your own thread to post them in. I'd love to see them somewhere here!

When I was still a handyman, a client I had was a condo corp at Adelaide & Sherbourne. It has 40 units, but parking for only 10 cars. The bike room was so popular that they initial one they had was too small. I was hired to make what was supposed to be thier "ammenities" room inot the new bike room. This was a good choice for them for two reasons. First, the room was behind the main entrance (the old bike room was not, and would be broken into) and the new room was buch bigger. And easier to get the bikes in and out of, and probably more secure as well.

Those who use the new bike room prefer it very much to the old one. I had some good discussions with the cyclists in that building.

the one thing that always bugged me when I was condo shopping was how difficult it was to get at your bike in most buildings, how difficult it was to get your bike in and out of the building, and how restrictive the rules about bikes were. I bought a townhose instead in the end.

I do not really pay attention to them anymore. I did follow them quite closely a few years as to how they compared to car jackings at the time. There is no difference between the two except the values involved in both ie cost of car vs. bike. Here is a typical report.

Robbery (Swarming) - 12 Division

Two males, 19 and 16 years, report that on July 5, 2007 at approximately 2230 hours, they were riding their bicycles in a park in the area of St. Clair Avenue West and Runnymede Road, when they were approached by ten male suspects. One suspect produced a knife and ordered one of the victims to get off his bicycle. The victim complied. The suspects then removed the victim’s bicycle, a quantity of cash and food from him. A second suspect then pulled the second victim off his bicycle and punched him about the face. The suspects then fled the scene southbound towards St. Clair Avenue West. The victims did not sustain any injuries. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence.

Accessibility and adventure keys to Green Trails Alliance recent direction

Company pays employees to keep car, Metropass at home

Read about a rare company that pays a bonus just for showing up riding a bicycle.

From Sound Like Canada July 12

Bike Ride in Vancouver (17:09)

June is bike month. For many it's the perfect time to say goodbye to high gas prices and hello to good old fashioned pedal power. All summer long Sounds Like Canada will explore ways you can improve yourself. Kevin Sylvester hops on a bicycle and takes a ride through Vancouver's bike-friendly streets to find out how biking has made the city better a better place.

Link to the City of Vancouver website.

Cyclists can't ride on sidewalks in city, with a few exceptions

Durham has as much to offer cyclists:

From the waterfront of the lakeshore communities up to Port Perry, Durham has as much to offer as any place Mayor Parish has ridden, which happens to be all over the country.

Bike plan expensive but a benefit to Durham

Bicycle patrols in Pickering making a difference

Cyclists not following rules of road - police

City police launch bike patrols
Will focus on downtown core, bike paths

Experts urge all-ages bicycle helmet laws
Because we have to continue this debate...

I like some of the comments found here:
Helmet debate rages in Portland Bike Forums like the ones that say that it shouldn't be up to the victims to protect themselves, or that pedestrians and those in motor vehicles should also wear helmets, as 85% of fatalities that occur while there are from head injuries (just like cycling!!)

City cyclists may finally follow new paths

The long and winding road; Cyclist completes 1,000-km trek around Lake Huron

Adults wearing bike helmets: It's a 'no-brainer'

Another one to start the great helemt debate...

Ten Tips For Enjoyable Bicycle Touring

Already in the events list here, but FYI:
http://blogto.com/city/2007/07/calling_all_toronto_cyclists/

Bike tours can be a fun getaway

Ramp rage: bikes vs. the autos

I went to the last town hall meeting and I hated the atmosphere. There was a petition to stop any changes from happening, and every speaker was talking about how it should be kept, and that any changed "were bad for the environment. One guy even claimed that it was a safe area for cyclist to go through as he does it all the "On the sidewalk". Really!!

I sent my comments in by e-mail, thanks. I was not going to get myself lynched by that mob. But they got what they wanted, which was nothing.

Next on list of bad intersections for pedestrians, cyclists and even motorists: Six points - where Dundas, Bloor and Kipling meet. Let hope we can get more than "nothing" changed there!

Crime Stoppers and the former Bicycle Bandit spend a day in the park promoting bike safety and dissing shady pawnbrokers

$1,000 for Clean Caledon

Bike lanes urged after truck crushes bike

I don't think a bike lane would have helped the woman who was nearly killed by that truck. She was right-hooked. If anything, a bike lane would have make the situation worse.

And yet another article that brings up helmet use. What difference does it make if you're wearing a helmet or not when a truck makes an illegla turn around you, sucking you under the wheels?

E-bike riders can currently ride without a license Staff Sgt. Fergie Reynolds
Traffic and tips of the road courtesy of Toronto Police Services' Sgt. Reynolds.

Man assaulted while riding bicycle

London to point cameras on bike lanes and fine drivers who cross the line.

Link thanks to Katrina Lee.

Bike routes pathetic
Streets busy and treacherous or full of potholes and cracks

Let's hope not!
Cyclist guns down motorist in Edmonton
and
Police comb ravine for clues in ride-by shooting

Teen pedalling to battle cancer
Wants September to be named Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Wed Jul 25, 2007 By Keith Gilligan

When the right of way collides with right to life
Jul 24, 2007 04:30 AM
Mark Davidson

Happy trails
Tucked neatly behind the Woodstock District Community Complex, the Bicycle Agility Park is quickly becoming a hot spot to ride. Sports Reporter Cory Smith uncovers this hidden gem
Thursday July 26, 2007

Get Away, Not Far Away

250 cyclists hit the road for a journey from Toronto to Montreal

...while the pricing will be going down:
The needle and the financial damage done
Tour De Farce
A race becomes the Tour de Farce
It's not often that I'll post sport news, but this is worse for the image of cycling than the cyclists that blow stop signs.

Wolfville’s wheely big weekend

Annapolis Valley Cycling Club spokesman David Campbell described it as "the largest gathering of cyclists ever in Atlantic Canada."

Sounds like a fun time

Bicycle shame
I don't usually post too much in international news, but some things hit me from this article. First this accusation:

...cycling is elitist. It's for privileged, overeducated, white people. For urbanites. For intellectuals.

Looking at the people who were at the Toronto Cycling meeting last night, one would think so. The active advocates might seem to be like that. But out on the actual streets the people actually riding thier bikes are whole different lot.

But elitist? What an inverted proposition! Private jets and limousines are elitist. Luxury automobiles and yachts are elitist. You need a lot of money to travel these ways. But bicycles?! A few hundred dollars will outfit you with a basic two-wheeler. Even a good bike, plus accessories and maintenance, cost less than a dime a mile, when you average the cost over the vehicle's useful life. Think about that. Biking is cheaper than bus fare on all but long trips, and most trips are short...

and continues with

Biking is the least exclusive form of vehicular transportation there is. It's not restricted to people with money, or people with drivers' licenses and insurance.

But you can read it yourself...

Bike Parking on Steroids
We had a small taste of his last night at the cycling consultation meeting. The meeting was pretty good, more to be posted about that soon.

A much happier news story than the tour:
Local bicycle champion turns pedals to medals
Good for her!
If I could just get my wife to let our daughters try...

Health Minister to bicycle to Kingston in support of HIV-AIDS fundraising
also:
Taking a ride in support of AIDS

Crime stats misleading, says MP

Bike lanes: Easy way
Poll backs funding for cycling activities

Witnesses sought in bicycle crash

Lansdowne widening would cost $8,360,000; Need to take out hills and add bicycle lanes boosts costs of plan to make busy road five lanes wide west of Spillsbury Drive

Road race hits Warsaw

Cyclists' advocate dies

Trail gap not bridged
Also mentions CAN-BIKE - a great program. If you've not yet taken it, you should.

Time to recycle bike path

Lansdowne Street widening takes another step forward

There are times I wish I had one for multi-modal transport

Folding Bicycles , Store Them Wherever You Like

The Keepers of the Trails

Picton cyclist more than willing participant

Rare cross-country find

The bottom line on biking

Cycling to freedom
History, bicycle enthusiasts ride the Underground Railroad route

Western professor Canadian cycling champion

The guy with the sore butt in Owen Sound needs to get a recumbent. Or maybe just toughen up and get Real Man Saddle!

As for the Underground Railroad route....it sounds like a pretty cool tour. I was in Burlington on the morning of May 26th when that tour was riding through. I stopped to chat with with a few of them, and it sounded like they were having a great time. Just need to find a big chunk of free time to do a long tour like that.

Determined cyclist still going in northern Ontario Self reporting/Human Interest/Charity Ride

Cycling considered harmful Opinion

Cycling the Silk Route for charity Advertorial/Human Interest/Charity Ride

The Week of Hating Cyclists Rebuttal/Opinion