province

There’s a feeling “out there” that because motorists pay “user fees” for licences and registration as well gas taxes and insurance, that they somehow have more “rights” to the road than everybody else. And that because motorists pay for those things, somehow motorists are more “responsible” that the rest of society which includes lowly cyclists.

Let’s dispel a myth today. It is my assertion that motorists are, in fact, acting much less responsible than they claim, and further, that they are to blame for a lessened quality of our public spaces.

First off, there are plenty of articles about who pays for the roads, including articles on this very blog. I’ll refer the reader there to read these entries, and I won't bother repeating those arguments.

My copy of the driver’s handbook, copyright 2007, has written in the second paragraph of Chapter 1 that would be motorists “have to pass a test” for “driving privileges.” What this means is that everybody has the same and equal right to share the road, but licensed drivers have the privilege of doing so with an insured and registered motor vehicle. That’s all. Somewhere along the way many seemed to have forgotten this.

There are open legislative committee hearings scheduled for the week of Feb 9 on Bills 118 (banning cell phones while driving) and Bill 126 (young drivers, drunk drivers, Greg's Law, etc.).

You or somebody you know may be interested in making a presentation to the committee.

The Ontario Government announced today that they will remove the PST from bike helmets, other safety accessories, and bicycles that cost under $1000, starting December 1st.

McGuinty says:

"We want to encourage more Ontarians - young and young-at-heart - to get
outdoors, spend time riding bikes as a family and with friends, or to try
riding to work if possible, leaving the car at home. Together, we're building a culture of health and well-being across Ontario by encouraging more families to embrace active living."

Right on. I'm glad this is one election promise that the Liberals came through on. Now let's see those bike racks at Queen's park get all filled up!

More coverage at Canadian Press, City News, and the Globe & Mail.

Yes, that's Olivia Chow's bike at Parliament in Ottawa. Maybe the GST could be next?

This post has nothing to do with religious schools.

About 2 and a half weeks ago, I sent a letter to each candidate in my riding (Eglinton-Lawrence) to ask for their views on cycling. I thought their responses would be quick and timely, so I could start some discussion here well in advance of the election. I promised the candidates I would share their responses with other cyclists on this web site, hoping other readers might share any experiences with their local candidates.

It took some time, but I got a few responses, albeit not as many as I would have liked. Some of the candidates, despite knocking on my door, didn't respond to my email.

Below the fold (click Read more), you'll find my question to the candidates and the responses I received. Responses are from the Eglinton-Lawrence candidates for: the Liberal Party, the Green Party and the Freedom Party. The candidates that didn't respond were from the Progressive Conservatives, the Family Coalition, the Libertarian Party and the NDP.

Bikes belong in Ontario!

The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC), with the ThinkFirst Foundation of Canada, an organization dedicated to preventing brain and spinal cord injury through education, is holding a media conference in Toronto at Sweet Pete's Bike Shop, Thursday, September 20th at 11 a.m.

The purpose of the media conference is to:

• Release the "Bikes belong in Ontario!" policy platform - a comprehensive policy program to promote cycling in Ontario;
• Support the proposal of provincial investment in municipal cycling infrastructure and an Ontario PST exemption on bicycles and bicycle helmets;
• Explain how the bicycle is the healthiest, most environmentally friendly and efficient means of urban transportation available to Ontarians;
• Explain how a tax exemption on helmets will promote safe cycling and prevent brain injuries.

The media conference will take place at Sweet Pete's Bike Shop, 1204 Bloor Street West, on Thursday, September 20th at 11 AM.

WHAT: Release of "Bikes belong in Ontario!" policy platform