A lot more bikes out there!?

But yes, i think it has a lot todo with the lack of snow. I have seen a lot more joggers out also. Unfortunately the perennial obnoxious dog owners are out early also.

The rise in the number of cyclists was plainly evident this last summer, and now, many have seemingly sustained their riding into the winter; which is a very cool thing (no pun intended).

The lack of snow must be a factor, but those that have made the decision to bike this winter are now even more likely to do so again next year.

I'd argue that cycling was actually down last summer, because it hardly stopped raining until September. It's hard to know what it would have been like if it had been a nice summer.

This winter has been really warm... certainly the best one over the past 3-4 years, but there do seem to be a lot of cyclists around. Any bikeshop owners care to comment on business versus last year at this time?

this winter has been very tame! knocks on wood

...Is there a correlation here with with the alarming increase in oblivious people cycling on sidewalks as well ??? I just can't bring myself to call these adults who weave through pedestrains on walkways "cyclists"...hazards...scared...self-absorbed...but certainly not a cyclist !
Sorry

"alarming increase in oblivious people cycling on sidewalks as well ???"

Huh, is it really alarming?

They're probably normal people. Not seasoned "cyclists" who have no issue with riding on the street without a bikelane.

Actually most of them are "young adults" who are riding with great abandon to the safety of pedestrians. Ironically, the inexperienced little kids on sidewalks are far slower and safer on their bikes. The word alarming comes to mind, when you see how Senior Citizens react to being buzzed by a speeding bike when they presume that they're safe to walk slowly on a sidewalk. There are alot of Seniors in my area, and they are starting to react in an increasingly upset way...Watch out for that voting power! (you'll wind up having to license yourself before you know it...just because a handfull of idiots can't ride safely)

The point is that sidewalks are a place for bikes to hop onto for locking up...At the most.
They are NOT an avenue for pedaling/cycling. ie. NOT a biking lane!

But clearly some people thinks it's acceptable to take moderate risks with pedestrians walking only inches away, while moving at a much higher speed on top of a hurtling metal projectile (sound familiar?). People and circumstances are unpredictable. Surprises/Accidents can and will happen, and those same riders who (seemingly) aren't capable of urban riding (sans bikelane), are bringing new risks to Others on the sidewalk instead, because of their own personal fears or riding inadequacies.

If you're afraid of flying then you should take the train. If you're incapable of driving a car safely on the streets, without bringing risks to others, then you should walk or take transit. The same goes for those brazen sidewalk riders.

It's too bad that the poor/lazy/fearful/selfish actions (and self-justifications) of some, wind up lowering the standard for the rest....and giving all cyclists a bad public image as a result.

Jo

O.K. - I will admit that I ride on the sidewalk sometimes. That may anger many of the members on the site, and I understand it's illegal, and I completely understand your point of view Jo with regards to some of those brazen cruise-at-30kph-on-the-sidewalk-riders.

However, I'd have to say that when certain road conditions are met that I judge as dangerous to my safety, I would and often do opt to take the sidewalk. The sidewalk that I most often ride is the sidewalk of a dangerous major thoroughfare with heavy north-south downtown-401 bound traffic. The speed limit is 60, and it's got a lot of turns, hills and descents, and many pinch points - 4 lanes to 5 (centre left). You can probably guess which road I'm taking about. Granted however, the sidewalk is sparsely used (it's all residential), and I always slow right down and yield to pedestrians when I pass. I think this kind of sidewalk use is acceptable.

Finally, on a different note, I'd like to add that Spokes and Sports on Avenue Road has already switched their winter stock to summer! Wooohooo! I talked to an employee and he said that this is the earliest they've ever done it, because of the great weather we've been having. Good for them.

Let's drop the talk of "having to license yourself before you know it..." A cyclist licensing law would have to come from the provincial government, and an international treaty (Vienna Convention on Road Traffic) prevents any Canadian jurisdiction from requiring licenses from cyclists coming here from abroad. So any MPP who introduced a bill to license Ontario cyclists would have to defend a proposal to take away a freedom from Canadians who live here that Americans, Brits, etc. in Ontario on vacation would continue to enjoy. It'll take more than councillor Walker and a few of his allies to make that happen.

On the subject: I don't ride on the sidewalk, for exactly the ethical reasons you point out. And I encourage all cyclists to do the same; I take the lanes on Bayview and other major streets. As more and more Toronto cyclists do that, more and motorists will have to respect us. On the other hand, I know people who live in the suburbs who would never think of allowing their children to ride the major streets that surround the development where they live. I don't generally ride the sidewalks on Finch out by Leslie, but I find it very hard to fault people, and especially teenagers, who do.