Here's a posting of near daily 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.

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Truck Blocking College St. Bike Lane

Monday morning update: TPS now has a press release online, in PDF format.

This email arrived on Friday January 25th via the Toronto Police Service 14th Division mailing list:

Traffic Safety continues to be an ongoing priority of the Toronto Police Service.The daily commute in and out of Toronto involves approximately 1.2 million vehicles. All users of the road share the responsibility of making this daily commute safe. A safe and orderly commute in and out of the city contributes significantly to a better quality of life for all citizens. High traffic volumes contribute to reduced road safety as well as increased driver frustration, commute times and congestion. Commuter frustration often results in aggressive driving, traffic signal violations, misuse of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, illegal parking and general traffic gridlock. The Toronto Police Service will be initiating a zero tolerance enforcement campaign entitled "Operation – Safe Commute". The campaign will commence on Monday, 2008 January 28, and conclude on Friday, 2008 February 01. All police officers and parking enforcement officers will be paying particular attention to all infractions that impede the safe, orderly flow of traffic.

Sgt. Roy Sorgo #469014 Division, Traffic Response Unit

They will probably be issuing more tickets to motorists, pedestrians AND cyclists this week. Watch for it.

But maybe we can also take this as an opportunity to get the police to take action against motorist behaviour that endangers cyclists! Zero tolerance, right? If you see someone parked in the bike lane, call it in! Someone cuts you off? Call it in! Harassed by an aggressive driver? Call it in!

Let them know that cyclists are still out on the roads in the winter, and that we demand respect from other road users. Police should be cracking down on the people who wield the most dangerous weapons against the most vulnerable.

Keep these phone numbers with you:

  • Traffic Services: 416-808-1900
  • Parking Enforcement: 416-808-6600

And of course, if something ever happens to you out on the road, please consult the ARC Library for some suggestions on how to follow up.

A couple of brief mentions in the media here:

Want to show off to your friends? What better way is there than by building your own solid wheels?

The energetic people at the Community Bicycle Network are expanding their program to teach about bike mechanics (the practice, not the people; but you might meet a bike mechanic). The next set of classes are on Wednesday evenings in February.

* Flat-fix / Basic Tune-up Workshop - Feb. 6, 7-10 pm
* Flat-fix / Basic Tune-up Workshop - Feb. 13, 7-10 pm
* Wheel Building Workshop A - Feb. 20, 7-10 pm
* Wheel Building Workshop B - Feb. 27, 7-10 pm

There's more information on their website.

Sign up now if you're interested by emailing toolworks@communitybicyclenetwork.org.