Monday, April 30, 2007
iBikeTO: A New Way To Celebrate Cycling
Guide to the Highway Traffic Act
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Greenwashing 101
Toronto Green Living Show. Looks like someone who rides a bike left Purolator a little love note.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Truck side guard solution.
We had our top scientists at the BLD spend five minutes on coming up with a made in Toronto side guard solution. They simply looked at the need for side guards on trucks with the City of Toronto's obsession with putting advertising everywhere. In that five minutes they shamed the City's assertion that side guards cost too much. Looks like their BS got run over again.The truck in the photo is a typical straight truck used in North America.
Toronto Critical Mass April Photos
April 2007 CM
Friday, April 27, 2007
Some Assembly Required (NYC-CM)
Critical Mass Today!
Bike Friday - The Real Climate Change Solution
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Toronto experiments with new bike lane enforcement tools.
This week's special person.
This week's very very special person was sitting in the bike lane waiting to pick up one of his friends. Check out his expression as I took the pic. The two cyclists approaching the car of behind had some choice words for the driver.
The End of the Road
Shadow rider
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The best type of traffic jam.
Bike Friday - Back in the saddle
Note: I will be riding EVERY Friday from now leaving High Park and Bloor 8 a.m. Come on out and ride!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Best Street Art Installation (April)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Happy Earth Day Drivers!
Some people just don't get it. Worst air day of 2007 by far!
Earth day means you don't drive. Got it? Good.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Dutch Cycling Promo videos!!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Earth Day Sunday!!
Spring!
420!
420 is the pop culture code word, the origin is disputed, for Happy Get High Day!
Sadly it was one year ago today that two cyclist lost their lives just hours apart.
RIP. Please do not forget them when you are listening to the endless "promises" from City Hall. Sideguards on trucks should have prevented both deaths.
Photo is of a European truck with sideguards. Is it that hard?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
HAPPY BICYCLE DAY!!!
Three days later, on April 19, 1943 (known as Bicycle Day), Dr. Hofmann intentionally ingested 250 µg of LSD, which he hypothesized would be a threshold dose, based on other ergot alkaloids. In reality, this is a fairly substantial dose and the threshold would actually be around 25 µg. Hoffman wrote:
By now it was already clear to me that LSD had been the cause of the remarkable experience of the previous Friday, for the altered perceptions were of the same type as before, only much more intense. I had to struggle to speak intelligibly. I asked my laboratory assistant, who was informed of the self-experiment, to escort me home. We went by bicycle, no automobile being available because of wartime restrictions on their use. On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms. Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror. I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me we had traveled very rapidly. -Wikipedia
Ghost Bike Stolen Again
For the second time in less than a year the ghost bike for Patricia Andrews has been stolen. I saw the bikey Tuesday night and as of Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. it was gone. Geoff at the Bike Pirates confirms that the bike had not been removed for any reason by them. So, who would cut through a $150 Kryptonite New York Lock in order to steal a memorial bike? Update: I have been informed that the bike may have been removed at the request of the family of the fallen cyclist. Note: I still believe Ghost bikes are important. Why? Read this.
s.296 of the Criminal Code
Blasphemous Libel
296. (1) Every one who publishes an anti-parking statement is guilty of blasphemous libel, an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
"...bicycle lanes can be added to Christie Street with minimal impact on traffic or parking." - Toronto Transportation
296. (1) Every one who publishes an anti-parking statement is guilty of blasphemous libel, an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
"...bicycle lanes can be added to Christie Street with minimal impact on traffic or parking." - Toronto Transportation
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Meeting Notice
OPEN HOUSE
Proposed Bicycle Facilities in Ward 21
Date: Wednesday May 2, 2007
Place: Rakoczi House – 747 St. Clair Avenue West
Councillor Joe Mihevc and Toronto Transportation staff invite you to attend a Public Open House to review and provide comments on the proposed bicycle facilities in Ward 21. The attached ward map (see reverse) shows the existing and proposed bicycle facilities in Ward 21 and how they would connect to the surrounding Bikeway Network. The key routes include:
· a signed route on Vaughan Road
· an east-west signed route that connects to the proposed Rogers Rd. bike lanes
· an east-west signed route parallel to St. Clair Avenue
· a north-south route on Christie Street with bike lanes
Bike Lane Proposal on Christie Street – St. Clair Avenue W to Dupont Street:
From St. Clair Avenue West to Davenport Road, bicycle lanes can be added to Christie Street with minimal impact on traffic or parking. The most significant change associated with the bicycle lane proposal will be a reduction in traffic lanes from two to one in each direction for the section of Christie Street south of Davenport Road. Parking for this section will also be limited to one side of the street. Stopping will be prohibited on the west side of the street, and parking permitted at all times on the east side.
Mr. Bean on a bike
Bike Swap!
Bike Swap!Buy and sell bikes and bike parts. Arrive early to drop off your gear, consign it and we'll sell it. It's Earth Day! Do a good thing and get a good deal.
Schedule
8-11am - Drop off bike gear for sale
11-2pm - Buy bike gear
2-3pm - Pick up proceeds and unsold gear
We will require sellers to show identification and to sign a consignment form. All proceeds on a 15% consignment fee will go to support cycling education with Bikechain at University of Toronto and Toolworks of the Community Bicycle Network. Location:Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King Street West
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Love my bike
Monday, April 16, 2007
Toronto coroner complains
(AP)- Toronto's Chief Coroner complains that if a by-law to force cyclists to act like cars is put in place he would run out of room at the morgue. The 50-60 people that would be killed by cyclists making like cars would overburden his resources. No comment from City Hall as to when the by-law will be enacted.
Five things you did not know about me
A while back a bike blogger I admire greatly Nicomachus challenged me to post in pictures five things people did not know about me. So I took a bunch of photos but then I got stuck.
Well, I thought it would still be fun to post these things in any case and honour my promise.
1. I am blind on my left eye since birth. Another great excuse not to drive.
2. When I was 5, I was struck on my bike by a VW van which sent me flying across the road onto a patch of grass. A witness told my mother I missed a telephone pole by inches.
3. Back in the 1980s, I was the Junior Ontario long jump champion. (6,74m)
4. Although I grew up in Europe, I had my first beer at the age of 23. After University!!
5. I suffer from Arachnophobia. No joke. I squeal like Flanders and run.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Bike Lane Fights Back!
Design by Matt B.
You can download flyers here
Or take photos of the buggers and post them on this site
Another technique would be to ride up beside the driver smile and say: "Hi there, heads up, the cops down the street are handing out tickets to people parked in the bike lane ... have a nice day.", then you ride on with a grin.
Works all the time.
The Average
Distance travelled by bicycle per person (daily life) (2006)
Denmark: 954 km
Netherlands: 879 km
Belgium: 329 km
Germany: 298 km
Sweden: 277 km
Finland: 256 km
Ireland: 186 km
Austria: 173 km
Italy: 159 km
Great Britain: 84 km
France: 81 km
Greece: 77 km
Luxemburg: 31 km
Portugal: 29 km
Spain: 27 km
Non-EU:
Japan: 354 km
Switzerland: 287 km
Norway: 164 km
USA: 33 km
Canada: ??
Source: VCOE (Austria, in German only)
Denmark: 954 kmNetherlands: 879 km
Belgium: 329 km
Germany: 298 km
Sweden: 277 km
Finland: 256 km
Ireland: 186 km
Austria: 173 km
Italy: 159 km
Great Britain: 84 km
France: 81 km
Greece: 77 km
Luxemburg: 31 km
Portugal: 29 km
Spain: 27 km
Non-EU:
Japan: 354 km
Switzerland: 287 km
Norway: 164 km
USA: 33 km
Canada: ??
Source: VCOE (Austria, in German only)
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A Seasonal Article
Ghost Bike - Dufferin & BloorThe road less travelled
"Toronto's utopic bike network has been a bust, but the winds are changing and the mayor insists the political will to carry out his ambitious plan is just around the corner ..."The Star
Soundtrack for the article by Yves Montand.
Friday, April 13, 2007
La Linea - #215
Major Taylor - One of the Great Racers!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Flying Scotsman (Trailer)
Happy Birthday Smog!...?
This is a shot from an editorial for NOW Magazine. The photo was taken below a large smokestack. On the wall above Milen it reads "Happy Birthday Smog... or maybe Smug?"
Milen from Biseagal
Milen from Biseagal
Toronto: Bikeable City?
BlogTO has a nice review of the panel discussion last night at the NOW lounge.
Illustration by Paulo Zeminian (Brasil)
Bikeable? Could be.
Celebrate Earth Day!!
Read NOW today ... nice!
NOW's Annual Cycling Issue
In particular like this article featuring a great photo by Dave Meslin from Berlin.
Graphic on left via Transportation Alternatives
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Mini Marauder by CCM
BikeShare RIP
Toronto BikeShare program kaput
City says funds are unavailable to save program that lent bicycles to city dwellers
Apr 10, 2007 (The Star)
A local bike-sharing program is riding off into the sunset and the city won't be coming to its rescue.
Magosha Pyjor, who ran the bike-lending program recognizable for its yellow bikes, told city officials seven months ago that the program needed about $80,000 to keep operating.
The Community Bicycle Network's BikeShare program relied on grants from private companies and ran from April to December since its launch in 2001. "From the city's perspective, it looks like it's come to its end," said Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38, Scarborough Centre). "We tried to shake the bushes and look under rocks and try every ... combination we could to assist that very worthwhile, small, non-profit group. "But the city just has nowhere it could fund it from," he said. He says the city, which already provided storage space for the fleet of about 150 bikes, is feeling its own financial crunch right now and didn't have the resources to take on its funding.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Stain removal.
Where is the spring weather?
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Toronto: A Bikeable City? (Forum)
NOW Cycling Panel
Wednesday April 11th, 7pm
Where: NOW Lounge
Bikeable City:
Are We Losing the Fight?
First of a series of NOW Town Halls, hosted by Mike Smith, featuring:
Adam Giambrone City Councillor
Dan Egan Manager, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
Wayne Scott Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition
Hamish Wilson on behalf of the Toronto Cycling Committee
Tanya Quinn, Crazy Bike Chick Blogger
Darren Stehr ARC
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Room to breathe by Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Meanwhile in Mexico City ... Leadership
City Workers required to bike to work once a month. Our mayor does that once a year, but just for show.
Story (BBC)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Second Hand Smoke 'Outdoors'
Health-risk zones tied to traffic: study (Via Streetsblog) - March 27th 2007
New York residents living within two blocks of a busy roadway face big health risks, including asthma attacks and heart disease from tailpipe emissions, according to a new report obtained by the Daily News.
The report, by the nonprofit group Environmental Defense and researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, estimates that 2.4 million people in the five boroughs, more than a quarter of the city's population, live within 500 feet, or two city blocks, of a heavily trafficked street.
"The impact is significantly higher the closer you are to the road," said Andy Darrell of Environmental Defense. "There is a 500-foot risk zone around busy, congested roadways. That is a conservative estimate." (Read on in the comments)
Let's ride!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Two ways to find a Path
The Super Gentleman
Click on the photo to enlarge - that's the name of this Olmo model. Cool.
