Dave Meslin (aka "Mez") of the Toronto Cyclists Union will be talking bikes on CP24 tonite at 9 pm, and The Current (CBC Radio) tomorrow morning at 8 am. The rumour is that Mez will be posed with the question of whether cyclists should require licenses! Booo!
If anyone records either one could they be so kind as to post them on the web and link them here? Thank you muchly.
It's time to put away your toys for the winter. Yes, I'm talking to the motorists out there!
Tonight and tomorrow should give us the first real blast of wintery weather. Environment Canada is predicting a mess of rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow, totaling as much as 15-20cm by the end of tomorrow.
I guarantee it will be a nasty commute tomorrow. Dangerous too! Motorists who have been lulled by many months of warm weather and clear roads will be in for a surprise when they can't keep control of their two-ton killing machines.
Seriously. It's time to put your summer toys away for the winter. Driving a personal motor vehicle on snowy roads is irresponsible. The chances of hurting yourself and other people around you is too high.
Tomorrow's evening news will be filled with photos and video of motor vehicle pileups, huge traffic jams, and people complaining about how long their commute took. The weather will be blamed for "accidents" and deaths. Sometime soon there will even be the token "cyclist riding through the snow" photo in the newspaper, along with the letters raging about how dangerous this is.
Leave your car at home. Take public transit, ride your bike, walk, or even stay at home if you can. Don't contribute to the mayhem on the roads.
Enjoy the ride to work. You may even get there faster by bike than transit or driving!
The following is an unapologetic copy and paste from the City's Cyclometer. The best news is the tax exemption - yay for incremental change! I wonder if frames and bike parts are also exempted?
1. Tax Exemption On Bicycles And Bicycle Helmets To Take Effect December 1st
Starting on December 1, 2007, the Ontario government will exempt bikes costing $1000 or less from retail sales tax (RST). Bike helmets and other safety equipment will also be exempted.
"Increasing the affordability of quality bikes for children, youth and those considering cycle commuting sets the stage for a lifetime of cycling," said Pete Lilly, President of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada and owner of Sweet Pete's Bike Shop.
2. Don't Hide Inside, Go For a Ride
As November wears on, 'lobster claw' gloves, long underwear and wool socks slowly move their way back into circulation.
This year become part of Toronto's 'Bike Winter', by listing your cycling events with the City of Toronto Online. Calendar will be ongoing between December 1 and February 29th.
3. Monday January 7th-Friday January 11th, 2008
Bike Art show in the Metro Hall Rotunda. Submissions for this show will be judged and finalists will be eligible to be printed as Bike Week posters for the spring. Please submit your photos, or graphics based artworks and spread the word to all bicycle artists you know.
4. Bike Week Meet & Greet
Thursday Jan 10th, 6:00-8:00 pm is the first date for a BikeWeek Event holders meet & greet. The location is the Metro Hall Rotunda 55 John st. (John & King st. downtown.). Light refreshment will be provided.
5. Wednesday January 30th; Coldest Day of the Year Ride.
Come out to King & John for a lunchtime group ride in the City Centre on the statistically coldest day of the year. Ride starts on Metro Square at the Torch. Warm up with complimentary hot chocolate. If you would like a table on Metro Square for this event, please email. bikeweek@toronto.ca