transit

[Editors: We'd like to welcome the Bike Train staff who'll be updating us on what's new with this unique service.]

The Bike Train has come along way since its inception as a idea in founder Justin Lafontaine's head. The Bike Train now works with 3 rail companies and has routes that criss-cross the province.

Toronto Niagara GO Transit Bike Coaches

The service that began as four weekends of service to Niagara with volunteer staff and a baggage car commandeered for the occasion has now blossomed into a regular service. After 3 years of working with VIA Rail on the Toronto-Niagara route, the Bike Train is now partnering with GO Transit to service cyclists looking for transportation to the Niagara peninsula.

The expanded 2010 schedule now includes Friday evening, weekend and holiday service every weekend between May 21 and September 26. Perhaps more exciting still is the addition of 'bike coaches'. The well marked bike coaches mark a significant shift for GO Transit from a purely commuter rail service, to a holiday and outting service for those looking to escape the city by bike. Each weekend and holiday departure will feature two of the new 'bike coaches', in which the bottom row of seats on the bi-level cars have been removed and racks for 18 bikes have been installed. The Bike coaches bring the number of space for bicycles to 64 per departures, a boon for cyclists and advocates of intermodal transportation.

From the Bike Train website:

We are excited to announce a new pilot project that introduces twice daily Bike Train service between Montreal and Toronto offering bike racks onboard. The pilot will run from August 24 to October 8 allowing cyclists to take the train with their bikes - no box or disassembly required!

Awesome! This is something that Justin and the Bike Train crew have been working towards ever since it was just an idea. If this keeps up, I can imagine all VIA trains accepting bikes, and not just a few special "bike trains".

A few more details from the announcement email:

Two trains in each direction per day, initially being offered for direct Montreal and Toronto passengers only. In the coming weeks, additional stops en route may be added.

There will be 6 bike racks available on each train. Although Bike Train staff will not be onboard the train, a host of information on the destination cities can be found on the new Bike Train website www.biketrain.ca/montrealtoronto

* $109 each way, including passenger ticket, bike transport, and all taxes and fees.
* Twice daily service in each direction (one train in each direction on weekends)
* Tickets must be bought through the Bike Train website.

With a push to promote cycle tourism in North Bay, you can now take the Bike Train there with a pilot starting August 7-10. It could be that the area is actually quite nice for some cycle touring, I don't know. The best person to ask is Justin Lafontaine who helped get the original Bike Train running to Niagara Falls (with over 1000 passengers so far). The North Bay-bound train will start in Toronto and take the Ontario Northland's Northlander rail service, winding through the scenic back country of Muskoka and the Algonquin Highlands.

The details:

- Adults $153 return; capacity 56
- 1 weekend: August 7-10
- Bike Train welcome event, group rides and cocktail party
- Special hotel packages starting at $120 including breakfasts and boxed lunches
- Partnership with Toronto Bike Union offers 15% off Green Travel Rewards for members

And there's more:

Through the journey to North Bay, passengers can win great prizes via an onboard trivia twitter competition. The Bike Train Twitter account will be awash with tips from passengers and locals alike on great cycling routes, refreshing swimming spots, fun attractions, and delicious dinner locales. Upon arrival in North Bay, the Honourable Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism and MPP for Nippissing will be on hand to personally greet the Bike Train in North Bay.

There are now more reasons to get out of the city with your bike and leave your car behind, reports the Torontoist. GO Transit is expanding its service to Niagara Falls for $15.90 one way. Via Rail's Bike Train is starting up for the third year with trips to Niagara Falls and a pilot to North Bay in August.

Although the service isn't aimed directly at cyclists, every GO train has space for about thirty bikes on a first-come, first-served basis. GO will run four trains on the Toronto–Niagara route every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday from June 27 through October 12, making stops along the way in Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, and St. Catharines.

In addition to the new bike racks on GO buses, the expanded train services are much welcomed by cyclists.

Photo by wootam!

Don Mills Road is a popular north-south route for cyclists in the east end of North York continuing to downtown. This may be because of a bus/car-pool/bike lane or it could be because of a lack of alternatives. It's a significantly faster way to get downtown rather than taking the signed routes to the west, however it is mainly attractive to more skilled cyclists.

Don Mills will be having a Transit City LRT built on it in coming years, meaning major changes to the streetscape. One of the objectives is to "identify opportunities to improve the pedestrian and cycling environment, facilities, and multi-modal connections in the corridor".

Like the Sheppard LRT, bike lanes are being included in the changes. Bike lanes are planned for all the sections north of the Don River. The width of this bike lane isn't given, which should be important on a road with speeds as high as Don Mills. Pape and Broadview would have no bike lanes, but would lose a shared lane unless there is a tunnel.

If you like these be sure to check out the exhibition of vintage Toronto bicycle photos during bike week.

Metrolinx, our former GTTA, released two "green papers" today. Both of them take an active interest in cycling as a commuting mode in the Greater Toronto Area.

The papers are available and the consultation is taking place through this website.

"Green Paper #2" looks at mobility hubs.

"Creating easier links between walking, cycling, auto use and public transit is a key element in improving people's ability to get around," MacIsaac said. "These hubs often foster vibrant employment and residential areas, and draw amenities such as entertainment, shopping and family services to their vicinity. This mix of land use and transportation can be mutually supportive and should be encouraged."

"Green Paper #3" is specifically interested in cycling and pedestrian issues.

<

blockquote>"We have engineered walking and cycling out of many parts of our region

The TTC has released its recommendations document (pdf) for the streetcar line on Cherry Street. The plan puts the streetcar line running down the east side of the street, creating a unique pedestrian space between the streetcars and the buildings.

The recommendations include bike lanes of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 metres wide that run the full length of the street.

the recommended design addresses City of Toronto Council’s concerns related to reducing the width of the roadway on Cherry Street and including dedicated bicycle facilities in the design

(One of the images in the document shows a bike lane on the right side of a right turn lane, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt that this is a simple mistake. The technical drawings show the bike lane in the correct position.)

According to Steve Munro, the LRT line will begin operations in late 2010.