BTAC

Aspiring mechanics can now take a bike mechanic training program for at-risk youth. The Learning Enrichment Foundation partnered up with Toronto bike stores, the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, City of Toronto and industry suppliers give the "BAM" (Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance) course a third try. This time they've got a well-stocked work space at LEF and broad support.

"There's an overall shortage" that's only getting worse as more people switch from four wheels to two, says Pete Lilly, owner of Sweet Pete's Bicycle Shop at Bloor and Dufferin Sts.

Last summer, he said, most bike shops were running three weeks behind on repairs because of the high demand.

A new project aims to fill that gap. The Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance Program will train out-of-work youths to fix and assemble all kinds of bikes so they can tap into a rising market, organizers say.

Many "will walk right into a job," says a project organizer, Rob White, sales vice-president at Outdoor Gear Canada. He estimates there are openings for 50 to 100 bike mechanics each year in the GTA.

Few could argue with more training. But what about paying bike mechanics a bit more so that more people will actually choose it as a career? I know a few bike mechanics that have moved on to more "adult" careers. I can only assume it's because of the pay.

Ontario's latest provincial budget features a two year extension of the tax holiday on bikes, introduced last December.

Bikes that cost less than $1,000, bike helmets and select bike safety equipment are exempt from the Ontario Provincial Sales Tax (PST) until December 31, 2010.

Pete Lilly, President of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC), praised the move as a sign of good things to come. 'We're thrilled that the province has reaffirmed its commitment to building a bike-friendly Ontario. The exemption will save consumers millions of dollars each year, encourage physical activity and ease traffic congestion.'

He went on to say: 'It's also a big win for our members - the independent bike shops that supported the tax break so enthusiastically. I'd like to congratulate them for ensuring the smooth implementation of this important public policy initiative.'

The announcement comes just as BTAC is preparing to host a Cycling Pavilion at the Toronto Green Living Show, April 25-27. Located in the Direct Energy Centre, the Pavilion will feature the latest bikes and related products for recreation and urban transportation. Participating manufacturers include Batavus, Norco, Opus, Specialized and Trek.

Visitors to the Cycling Pavilion will learn what to look for in a new bike and where the best cycling destinations are. They'll also hear about bike commuting, which is a burgeoning trend in Canada.

BTAC hopes the information will help people take advantage of the extended tax exemption.

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