bike union

This Tuesday, the bike union and CultureLink will be going down to Washington, D.C. to receive the 2010 Innovation of the Year Award for it's partnership. The award is given out yearly by the US-based Alliance for Biking and Walking.

Together, the Toronto Cyclists Union and CultureLink have launched the Partnership for Integration and Sustainable Transportation to promote cycling among newcomers to Toronto with posters, a Cyclists Handbook, and workshops available in 16 of the city’s most commonly spoken languages.

“We’re honoured to be accepting this award on behalf of our partnership,” says Yvonne Bambrick, Executive Director of the Toronto Cyclists Union. “This project is helping us to grow roots in Toronto’s diverse communities, and to exchange knowledge about sustainable habits here and around the world.”

“In Toronto, 52% of people 15 and older are newcomers to Canada, and green initiatives must speak directly to them to be effective,” says Ibrahim Absiye, Executive Director of CultureLink Settlement Services. “At CultureLink, we are committed to bringing sustainable, affordable and healthy options, like cycling, to the newcomers we serve.”

On October 28, the Toronto Cyclists Union is hosting a cocktail and masquerade fund raiser at the Steamwhistle Roundhouse.

Here's the verbatim invitation. I hope to see you there!

If there was ever a time to get behind our city's most dedicated, and high profile cycling advocates, it's now. Thanks in large part to the Toronto Cyclists Union, our city's first member-based cycling advocacy organisation, cycling issues are now most definitely on the map in Toronto. If you've ever cared about improving conditions for cyclists in this city, and about getting bikes meaningfully incorporated into our transportation system, now is the time to show support for the first group with real traction. Whether or not you have joined yet as a member, we represent your interests as a cyclist. We have some real momentum, but we need your help to keep it going.

Here is the link to our beautiful, full colour e-vite http://bikeunion.to/sites/tcu/files/fundraiser-2009/emaile...

Details below.

Toronto Cyclists Union Fundraiser: Cocktail and Masquerade

Oct. 28th, 6pm @ Steamwhistle’s Roundhouse ** 2 part event - Reception & Party**
Please join us for this very special evening. Together we are building a bike-friendly Toronto.

The evening will include:

• Special Intimate Performances by top Canadian entertainers Molly Johnson (http://mollyjohnson.com) & Coco Love Alcorn (http://www.cocolovealcorn.com)

Last year the Toronto Cyclists Union was brought to life with a film screening of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, supported by a live cast featuring members of the Hidden Cameras, Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, Kids on TV, Republic of Safety, the Phonemes and others. Recently "pigeonhat" aka Mez posted a video of the event.

A new campaign by the bike union in partnership with Culturelink is working on getting newcomers on bikes again.

Toronto's cycling community would like to see more immigrants like Li get out of their cars and return to their old modus operandi as part of a city-wide "From Back Home to Our New Home" campaign, to be launched tomorrow.

The campaign will promote cycling among newcomer communities as an affordable, healthy and convenient means of transportation instead of just a recreational activity on weekends.

"This is an untapped market with cycling," said Leehe Lev, coordinator of the outreach campaign, a partnership between the Toronto Cyclists Union and CultureLink, an immigrant settlement agency. "For many new immigrants, part of living in North America is to own a car and a suburban home. But it takes away their good green habit from back home."

With regular commuters dominated by white males in Toronto, while the majority of Torontonians are either female or people of colour or newcomers, there's a lot of work to be done here. We know from Europe that providing a strong sense of safety gets a lot more women and young/old folk on bikes. I wonder what it will take to get people who are newcomers?

Arlene Clement, one of the Dandies behind Dandyhorse has announced that the second issue of Dandyhorse magazine has hit the presses, and will be officially released at the launch party of Wednesday April 29th. Read on for the details!

dandyhorse Launch Party!

The Spring 2009 issue of dandyhorse has hit the presses, and we're celebrating with a launch party on April 29th!

Date: Wednesday April 29, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm – midnight
Location: Amsterdam Brewery – 21 Bathurst Street (south of Front St., at Fort York Blvd.)

The party, sponsored by Amsterdam’s new brew, Big Wheel Deluxe Amber, will have DJs, cash bar, gold sprints, and more!

PLUS: silent auction of original art by John Englar, made out of the original boards from the human powered rollercoaster, with treatment of misfit bike parts.

$5 at the door, includes magazine.

Free admission for contributors and subscribers, including bike union members (who will be receiving their issue in the mail!)

Everyone welcome - please feel free to forward this invitation to others.

Visit dandyhorse on the web at: www.dandyhorse.com

Congratulations, Yvonne, on becoming the Toronto Cyclists Union Executive Director!

Since the Bike Union's inception in May, Yvonne's efforts as our spokesperson and assistant coordinator has raised the Bike Union's profile as an inclusive, city-wide cycling resource and advocate at City Hall and amongst our partners and residents throughout the city. Along with Rick Conroy, Heather McDonald, Craig Barnes and the dedicated efforts of many, many volunteers, Yvonne has contributed to developing our membership to over 500 members! We look forward to Yvonne's passion and creativity as we continue to gain momentum and plan for great events as the swell of spring approaches.

I Bike T.O. is pleased to announce the inaugural Toronto Bike Awards! Along with the Toronto Cyclists Union's Golden Spoke Awards, the City of Toronto's Bicycle Friendly Business Awards, we will presenting the I Bike T.O. Awards!

January 20th - Gladstone Hotel - Queen West and Dufferin
Doors at 7pm - Awards start at 8pm - Party starts at 9:30pm

Featuring:

• Valet bike parking
• Winter-layering strip-tease skit
• Clay and Paper theater performance
• Cool raffle prizes from MEC & Crumpler
• Live music from GUH
• Spinning by the fabulous DJ duo Dorian & Dorian
• 'Inauguration' Goldsprints with prizes for all winners (Obama themed!)
• A chance to mix and mingle with bike advocates, city staff and councillors.

Information on the awards:
The Bicycle Friendly Business Awards recognize and thank businesses and organizations in the City of Toronto that support and promote cycling. This support can take many forms, and includes encouraging employees, clients and customers to cycle.

The Toronto Cyclist Union is hiring an executive director. Details are on the Bike Union website, and in the job description below.

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Toronto Cyclists Union Seeks Executive Director

The Toronto Cyclists Union is a member-driven community of cyclists from every geographic area in Toronto that represents a cross-section of Toronto's cyclists. We provide a vibrant and amplified voice to achieve the common goals of safety, legitimacy and accessibility of cycling in Toronto. We coordinate city-wide advocacy on behalf of our members and provide resources for cyclists to be effective local advocates themselves. We promote cycling in an inclusive, friendly and inviting manner.

Position Description: The Executive Director, working under the direction of the Board of Directors, is responsible for growing the membership base of the Toronto Cyclists Union. The Executive Director will develop the identity of the organization among members by advancing the mission of the union and ensuring the overall success and operation of its programs.