Globe comments on the state of Cycling Advocacy

The good people at the Toronto Cyclists Union are indeed working hard, currently behind the scenes getting it's own act together and also with city councillors and with city staff. On Sep 8th (Mark your calendar) is the next Public Works committee meeting, and aprox 25km of new bike lanes need to be approved on that day.

Luke, we could use your help in both getting ready for that day, and on that day. We will likely need people to make deputations to push these through, and before the meeting to "sell" the bike lanes to the communities affected.

I don't care that Dr. Gridlock doesn't yet know about the good work the Union is doing and has done. We're less than a year old, and we're still small. We'll get there, and soon. With your help, even sooner. And 350 members is better than any cycling advocacy group in this city -- EVER -- and still an amazing number for a group only a few months old. And we're still running with all volunteers, no paid staff yet!

BTW, do you have your membership yet?
And, what volunteer role are you playing with the union?

But its true, some core of paid staff is vital, no matter how few. Without that, it isn't going to get any traction. Also, the funding needs expansion. Bicycle stores should be canvassed. They have a lot to gain.

BTW, do you have your membership yet?
And, what volunteer role are you playing with the union?

I've been a 'friend' of the TCU since May.

So far my volunteering has comprised in kibitzing with other reps from Ward 29 every 2 weeks on goals and tactics -- hey Ward 2, trade ya Ootes for Ford! (Admittedly, we've not accomplished much, we're all new at this game); firing emails off and melting my printer churning out leaflets for Bike Lanes on Bloor; and signing up as a roving mechanic for TCU's roadside assistance initiative (which I understand has been put on hold). A few self-serving cycle-centric social affairs round out my velo-active pursuits.

I acknowledge the adhoc, fitful tenor of my contributions; how ineffectual they can and for the most have been. In my opinion they exemplify the weakness of much of velo-volunteerism: it's an undertaking pursued on the side, shoe-horned in when and where it can be, and often a disparate and unfocussed concern.

That's why I'm of the mind that most is made of the efforts and sacrifices of volunteers when they are leveraged by full time, paid political operatives. I envision the prime role of the TCU to be a liaison and coordinator between Toronto's cycling community, backroom technocrats (retained by members' dues) and media. (Apropos of that: TCU, why no public endorsement or involvement in the challenge of the Bloor/Yorkville makeover's lack of an EA? This is where you should be!)

I'll continue to support the TCU for a long while yet; the organization is in its infancy, it must be given a fair chance and requires at least several years to grow into its role. But Dr. Gridlock has a point: real results will follow only when we stop looking in from the outside and start working the system from within -- professionally and unremittingly. Just like developers, businessmen, and everyone else with an agenda does the world over.

The cyclists union is starting to make a difference. If you've noticed there have been, on average, about three media "hits" a week that mention the Toronto Cyclists Union. Whisch is another great thing that is raising the level of awareness of cycling inToronto, and of the union itself. Not bad for a volunteer run organization only a few months old.

"Management" is putting its systems into place. and the ward advocacy program, which you're helping with, is slowly taking shape, and is starting to make a difference in some wards. The union's board is starting to focus on it's own job and also is looking to recruit more people with relevant board experience.

The union is working with other groups, like Take The Tooker on Bloor street; like TCAT to host Noah while in Toronto; like BTAC, the city, and many others. In fact it is by working with one of these other groups that we're putting in a grant application. Other funding opportunities are also being investigated.

And it is people like you, Luke, that are making the union the success that it is, even without paid staff. Ootes only lost by a few votes to worthiwhle candidates who fought against Ootes because of his stance against bikes lanes. Things change, and that what we're all working for.

While some full time paid staff would be ideal, good stuff still happens from volunteers. And let's not dismiss that some of our volunteers are putting in full time hours -- and more!

And because we don't say it enough: Thanks, Luke, for being a member and for your voluteer efforts. You've helped made the difference.

Now, about the Sept 8th PWIC meeting...

Just an addendum on my previous post. Though I agree in the main with Dr. Gridlock's opinions, I'm certainly NOT pessimistic about the prospects of Toronto cyclists improving their lot.

In my +20 years in this not quite World Class City, I've never seen so many cyclists, and never met with such contemporary ecological, economic and social factors (obesity explosion) trending toward putting more butts on bicycle seats.

It's dawning that the established order is not viable. In the past, persuading traditionalists of that reality was half the battle, now worldwide events are convincing them for us. The notion is gaining traction that we no longer have the luxury of exploring alternatives, it's now a matter of necessity.

So I expect that things will only get better. But it can't happen soon enough.

Now, about the Sept 8th PWIC meeting...

Will be in touch.

Hey Anthony, or anyone, do you have the time and place of that Public Works meeting on Sept. 8th?

Any further info welcomed.

Best,

Vincent

The current meeting schedule for city council and its commitees is found here:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/schedule.htm

The Sept schedule is found here:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/pdf/sep08.pdf

The meetings are generally held in commitee room 1 at City Hall (100 Queen St West) and usually start at 9:30am.
You can always contact the committee secretary for more information:
http://www.toronto.ca/committees/public-works-infrastructu...
Ros, like all of city clerks I have had the pleasure of knowing, is a great person and would be only too happy to help you find any answers to any question about this commitee you may have.

The agendas for the committee meetings usually come out about 10 days before the meeting, but it may be as little as one week before the meeting. I'm hoping that we'll be able to know what bike lanes will be on the agenda a couple of days before the agenda comes out, but we may have to wait for the agenda before we get to see the list.

Personally i feel that the majority of the members of the union can do more good work then a bunch of paid lobyists could ever do cause there doing it for free and with there hearts involved and that the majority of the staff put in more hours for the cyclist union then they do at there own jobs just thankfully there family's respect and understand what there doing and what there working towards.

I heard on CBC yesterday that the Cyclists Union is planning a lawsuit against the city over the Bloor redesign. But I don't see anything online about it. Anyone heard anything more?

-dj

The Toronto Cyclists Union is not the group suing.
A clarifying entry was made on Take the tooker's blog.
See http://takethetooker.ca/?p=322

There is no lawsuit planned. One of the Bells on Bloor organizers is a lawyer.