Here's the (near) daily post of cycling news from across the country, and sometimes interesting things from around the world. If I missed a worthy piece, please pass it on to me. Comments welcome.
- Route Verte Green Route (AM 940, Montreal, Aug 8)
related: Official international inauguration of the Route verte (Press Release, Aug 10) - Bike Strike (The Stranger, Seatle, August 8, 2007)
I woder if Toronto cyclists could ever pull a stunt like this off? - Facebook Friday: Cycle and the city (Torontoist, Aug 10)
Perhaps there's hope that we can! - The Lower Don Rides Again (Torontoist, Aug 9)
Also: Lower Don trail reopens this weekend (Dodgeville, Aug 10)
Many more news items follow...
- Narrow pothole along Bay a serious risk for cyclists (Toronto Star, Aug 6)
- Bike helmets given away (The Record, Kitchener, Aug 9)
related: McGuinty Government Working to Reduce Injury in Ontario (Press Release, Aug 8) - Study: More kids die in ATV accidents than bicycle accidents (Associated Press, Charleston, W.Va., via canoe.ca, Aug 10)
- Cyclist pushes it to the limit (The Gazette, Montreal, Aug 10)
- Internet TV Broadcaster JumpTV Acquires Cycling TV for $4.95 Million (Digital Media Wire, Aug 10)
- Looking presentable after your commute (edmontonjournal.com, Aug 8)
- Like riding a bike (edmontonjournal.com, Aug 8)
- North Bay needs new sports facilities (North Bay Nugget, Aug 7)
- Green leader joins Jolley's bike tour (The Sun Times, Owen Sound, Aug 10)
Is it just a concidence that the Owen Sound bike store is called "Jolleys alternative wheels"? - New Cycling brochure and route map from Ontario's West Coast - Huron County (PPOL News, Aug 9)
- Days of chasing shadows on my bike (The Daily Press, Timmins, Aug 10)
- Road plan off to public review; No council discussion on Lansdowne widening (Peterborough Examiner, Aug 8)
- Parisians show their va va voom as city rolls out 'freedom' bike scheme (Times Online, London, Aug 9)
- Mystery Over Cyclist (Guelph Tribune, Aug 10)
Police are seeking information ... - Cyclist badly hurt in accident; police searching for driver (The Sudbury Star, Aug 9)
- Cyclists need a fair go (Herald Sun, Victoria Australia, Aug 10)
- Cyclists hit by road rage (couriermail.com.au, Aug 11)
- New 'sharrows' a friendly reminder to city's motorists (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Aug 10)
- Bikes Belong Launches New Website (PPOL News, Aug 1)
- Cycle of litigation (The Aspen Times, Aug 11)
- Pedal power the way to go (theage.com.au, Melbourne Australia, Aug 11)
- Bicycle Industry Universal Catalog (Dirt Rag, Aug 10)
- Speak out for cyclists (Orlando Sentinal, Aug 10)
- Want a hassle-free vacation? Try touring on your bicycle. (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Aug 10)
- Following some easy tips can help reduce bicycle thefts (The Des Moines Register, Aug 10)
- Ministry plans to make cyclists put on helmets (The Taipei Times, Taiwan, Aug 11)
- Second Wind Blowing on the Bicycle Path (Journal Le Jacques-Cartier, Aug 11)
- Boys robbed by thugs (Toronto Sun, Aug 11)
- Stories from runners and cyclists in the home of the brave (Los Angeles Times, Aug 13!!)
I've noticed a bit of trend in this set of news:
- Cyclists are hated, and have difficulty fighting back.
- Cyclists are often pushed to the sides of, or entirely off, the roads where possible, sometimes with the excuse that it's for their own protection
- Cyclists, the victims, should wear expanded polystyrene talismans to ward of the malice on the roads, but training is never offered even though it would do the most good
Can someone explain to me what use an expanded polystyrene talisman has when you become a hood ornament? Please answer that here, and we'll be continuing the debate in the appropriate place.
Comments
Darren_S
Bike Strike
Mon, 08/13/2007 - 15:52Several years ago Ron Freeman ( I hope I have the right name) got doored on College St and severely injured(since recovered) after being thrown underneath a passing truck. There were bike strikes soon after on College complete with protest signs and Tooker Gomberg with a bullhorn. Not sure how many but I think I went to two. We got off our bikes and walked back and forth for a few blocks. It really threw the cops for a loop, they had to call in a road boss each time to see if they were allowed to remove us from the streets.
Aidan (not verified)
Good Idea
Mon, 08/13/2007 - 17:44I like the idea of taking that up again. Every time a cyclists gets sent to the hospital, or worse, we use the cycling organizations and blogs to get word out to shut that street down for a set period of time a day or two later. If drivers are in too much of a hurry to give us the space we deserve, we can take the time from all of them.
Did you know the Toronto Coroner's report determines we are to have 1m of space! How often do you get that, between opening doors and traffic? A good start is to lose the on-street arterial parking... http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/coroner_recomend.htm