Who should get the I Bike T.O. Award for doing the most to improve or promote cycling in Toronto in 2009?

I know it's a long list, but feel free to ask questions about the candidates in the comments here. Someone is likely willing to explain why so and so would make a good choice.

The poll will be open until Monday, Jan. 18 after which we'll review the votes. The winner will be announced at the Toronto Bike Awards on Tues, January 19th, along with awards from the Toronto Cyclists Union and the City.

How did we neglect them?

I have to seriously disagree with David Miller as much he appears bike friendly, he is more concerned about transit. Under his watch the bike plan shifted into reverse.

Budget isn't the only marker - considering bike lanes are only! $25,000 a km to repaint a street, we should have had University, Bloor, Simcoe etc. by now right?
I guess I'm too old - anyone else remember Mayor Hall?
I have other reservations, including not having tino - he's been a solid support for me, and others.

How many bike lanes did we lose under Miller?

It's ridiculous to say the Bike Plan has shifted into reverse, every year it's better to ride in Toronto. If the pace of the plan isn't fast enough, blame yourselves for not pressing the issue hard enough, the voters who don't care about your safety, and the councillors who vote against them.
But not Miller, he went out on a limb and sacrificed a lot of political capital to fight for us. He fought for transit as well, but does that negate what he's done for us?

Saying this, I voted for someone else - there were so many good choices.

herb- you should have used a ranked voting system : )

We left off all the people who will be helping to judge the winner, including Tino, Anthony H., myself, Marge, etc.

that Humphreys character could use a nod too. the infamous "Large Marge? I'd vote for her!

That said anyone who has had the mispleasure of dealing with Patrick would strongly object to his nomination.

Browne is a parasite.

I think Miller could burden the responsibility for the lack of bike lanes in Toronto, and why not stick the lack of bike lanes through Bloor's 'Mink Mile' on him too? But the Mayor of our city gets the exact same voting power as a Councillor in City Hall, so aside from strategic maneuvering, there isn't a lot that the Mayor can do to advance a particular issue without the support of City Council.

Cities like Portland, Chicago and New York have a far less bureaucratic process for approving things like cycling infrastructure. So, if Toronto is going to develop a good bike network it must overcome the political hurdles by building public support.

Miller is subject to criticism, as is any Mayor, but he did more for cycling in his two terms that many (if not all) of his predecessors. If we really want things to change we need to get people to support cycling in Toronto - I'm glad we had a Mayor that did just that.

Sorry Seymore: I believe Mel Lastman built (much) more bike lanes during his tenure than David Miller. And the Bike Plan was his as well.

The creation of the Bike Plan under Mel's watch is notable, but it is still way under realized due to Political process. Was Mel a supporter of it?

My basic point is that the Mayor lacks the authority to implement without the approval of City Council - so even if Mel voted against bike lanes (and I don't know that he did) then the lanes could have just as easily been approved in Council.

I just don't think any politicians should be on this list. They're all about self-promotion (hot air) but no action. The Bike Union is much of the same. TCAT? Well give them one point for doing (yet another useless) survey. And I think a new brochure is in the works (wow!).

Bloor in Yorkville is the real deal (in concrete) - no bike lanes. The whole Jarvis Street plan is just that - a plan. A political promise not worth the paper it's printed on. We'll see if it ever gets built.

Show me how Mr. Miller made our streets truly safer - seems he did more to enrage motorists against cyclists - and maybe I'll think about voting for him.

Out with Miller - Bring on George Smitherman - and let the fireworks begin!

For 43,000 viewers on YouTube - and growing!

Honestly, I am more proud of my: http://www.twitter.com/bryanttruths.

But thanks for the nomination nonetheless (whoever you are)!

Donald Wiedman

Angela has been an inspiration to me, and many more I'm sure!

And a great photo by Martin Reis that shows one reason why:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinreis/3883398550/

Although he is a lawyer (and many like to slam them) PB has lobbied for increased compensation when cyclist are injured or killed by a car. As the head of the trial lawyers, he was front and centre in lobbying Queens park in getting greater funding for the families of those cyclists killed - People he has represented.

The stuff that I have read about him, suggest he is a strong supporter of cycling rights. Although I don't always understand all the insurance issues, his points are well made and seem genuine. Do not know anyone who would share Geoffrey's comments about him. Based on what I know - and what others think of him - the last thing anyone would say is that he is a "parasite". Totally not called for.

The poll is now closed. Thanks everyone for voting!

The judges are now taking the votes and will be swayed by them. Just so you know, we don't just take the polls and declare a winner, because there are many ways to trick polls; it's not necessarily one person, one vote. Instead the I Bike T.O. bloggers and James Schwartz of the cycling positive The Urban Country blog will be communing and weighing the criteria and candidates.

Is this some sort of joke?

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2010/02/01/giambrone-running-for-mayor.aspx

Break my heart...

What's next: YouTube security videos of Rocco Rossi shopping at Walmart!

Sigh...