events

Cyclists and BIXI users who dock at Union Station might be interested in the proposed changes to Front Street at Union Station meant to better accommodate growing pedestrian traffic. A second public meeting will be held Nov 3, 2011, 3-7 pm at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 309 (here for more info). It will be the second and final public consultation event for this project.

Recommendations include the existing two travel lanes in each direction being reduced to one wider travel lane in each direction, marked with sharrows; expanded sidewalks, with lay-by parking for taxis, buses, etc.; new mid-block pedestrian crossing; and bike parking rings on the north side of Front Street (moved from the south side of street). The report also recommends that BIXI docking stations be placed immediately east of Bay Street and west of York Street on newly expanded sidewalks.

There is a Facebook group. And you can send comments to Jason Diceman at FrontStUnion@toronto.ca.

The Queen's Park Grand Prix cycling race took place Sunday with appearances by Tour de France riders Ryder Hesjedal and Mike Barry. Tino has a number of great photos of this seminal event.

Jeffery Schiller took the men's title with Ryder Hesjedal in third and Mike Barry in seventh. Joelle Numainville took the women's title.

This race hasn't taken place in Toronto in twenty odd years. I have heard that the end of the ban on Sunday shopping killed a lot of these cycling events since it meant much more car traffic on the roads.

Bicycles and cyclists are getting a pretty shitty deal during the G20. As a volunteer photographer for the Alternative Media Centre (AMC) this week I have seen reports about cops giving out tickets to activits for not having bells on their bike and far worse, ring posts are being removed and cyclists in general are being profiled and harrassed. For updates and to share your story check the AMC website 2010.mediacoop.ca or use the #g20report to share you experiences.

CultureLink and The Toronto Cyclists Union are launching the Toronto Cyclists Handbook (in 16 languages no less) this Friday in their event, Diverse Bicycle City, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (Parkdale Community Recreation Centre, 75 Lansdowne Avenue (north of Queen).

Various luminaries include Christopher Hume providing the keynote address; greetings from Gord Perks (Councillor in Parkdale-High Park), newcomer perspectives from Yu Li, Mari Rossi and others. Plus looks like they're throwing in some stuff that, thankfully, is not your regular buffet for a bike event: breakdancing and Kung fu demos (hopefully demonstrating how to deter bike theft).

About the partnership between CultureLink and The Toronto Cyclists Union:

Our goal is to promote the integration of newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area, by fostering cycling transportation as an affordable, healthy and convenient option. We encourage newcomers to learn about and engage in cycling advocacy and to get involved in the political systems affecting people in our city. Our work is guided by values of sustainability, empowerment, equity, inclusion, health, social justice, and cultural competence.

Join a group of cyclists for a fun, friendly, and casual ride from traditional car-centric suburbia (Don Mills Centre) to Downtown City Hall.

Date: Monday May 31st 2010
Departure Time: 7am (be there before 7am for a brief intro and speeches)
Meeting Location: Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East Southwest Corner

City of Toronto Councillor and Budget Chief Shelley Carroll has confirmed her attendance, and has been warming up for the ride recently. So get ready for a beautiful cycling week in the sun!

Toronto Annual Group Commute from Don Mills

Live on the east side of the Don Valley near Lawrence Avenue? Riding across the Lawrence Avenue bridge can be challenging for some. There will be a pre-ride westbound across the Lawrence Avenue bridge departing from Lawrence Avenue East and Underhill (Northeast corner) at 6:30am.

Location: Bloor Street West at Spadina (southeast side) 6PM Sharp

With Minsiters Vicki Obedkoff & Hans van Nie
Trinity-St. Paul's United Church

Note: The Listings in NOW Magazine and the
City of Toronto Bike Month Guide are slightly
incorrect.

The Toronto Bike Messenger Association has established a memorial fund for funeral arrangements and to give support to his children.

Donations are being accepted at TOBMA via Paypal and in person at any TD Canada Trust location. Please reference Darcy Alllan Sheppard and/or account number 06906676860 to donate in person.

Update:
There will be a fundraising event on Saturday, September 26th 2009
Doors open at 9pm - $10 or pay what you can
at Sneaky Dee's - 431 College (College & Bathurst)

Check TOBMA for updated information or join this Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125621767851 to get an update. You are all invited, please come if you can.

Thank you,
Members of the TOBMA