Bike Cops on RunnymedeBike Cops on Runnymede

This morning I found an article in The Bulletin about Toronto Bike Cops, titled Cops on two wheels more responsive, claims bike patroller.

It touches on many issues that most cyclists probably already know: cyclists can get around faster than motorists or pedestrians in many urban areas, people can interact better when they're on bikes rather than inside cars, and of course that cyclists are quiet and stealthy!

There's also a bit of insight into what bike cops do, how they go about their patrols, etc.

I certainly would like to see more police on bikes rather than sitting in their illegally parked idling cars. :-) I would also like to see more parking enforcement and bylaw officers on bikes too. Maybe this would help them understand cyclists' frustration with certain motorist behaviours (aggressive driving, illegal parking, etc.).

You can read the article here.

Why let a little thing like a TTC strike keep you from getting to work?

BikingToronto is encouraging people to Bike the Strike! if the TTC staff decide to walk out on the job. As of today they are in mediation with staff saying they may consider "work to rule" if the negotiations end in a deadlock. This may mean staff will refuse to wear uniforms or will slow down TTC service before going into a full-blown strike.

Wouldn't it be nice if Toronto had a comprehensive public bike program so that people could jump on all the bikes if a strike did happen? They did in Paris.

COA at the Bike ShowCOA at the Bike Show

Over the last year or so, the Cycle Ontario Alliance has been working with a contractor to produce a new Ontario Bike Plan. This week, the plan was finally made available as a free PDF download from their website.

The Ontario Bike Plan presents a series of strategies for both recreational and utilitarian cycling to encourage cycling participation in Ontario, specifically focusing on the implementation of the Ontario Bicycling Route. The strategies take into account existing cycling conditions in Ontario, derived from data and research in various Ontario communities and elsewhere, as well as consultation with various stakeholders including provincial ministries, Cycle Ontario Alliance (COA) members and the general public through COA's web site.

I haven't had the opportunity to read this plan yet, but the COA had a printed version of it available for viewing at their Bike Show booth earlier this month, and I had a chance to quickly flip through it. Looks like it covers a wide variety of ideas for cycling infrastructure improvements. But the question remains: Who will take these ideas and implement them?

Has anyone else read it yet? Any comments?

You can download it from here.