BikingToronto

Weekly News Wrap-Up: Huge Cycling Budget Increase and MEC Sells Bikes!

2009-11-06T12:28:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday to you. Here's all your news from the past week!

Mountain Equipment Co-op raises ire of bicycle industry
Apparently a large sports retailer getting into the bike business is somehow a no-no? Mountain Equipment Co-op, which has built its retailing reputation on a feel-good image of environmental and social responsibility, has ignited anger in an unlikely place – the bicycle industry. Its foray this month into bike…

HUGE Cycling Budget Increase for 2010?
Now, I'm not an expert in how the city allocates funds for cycling... I do know that of the whole cycling budget, some goes to the Parks & Rec department for trail upkeep, and some goes to the roads department for bikelanes... and some goes other places, but all…

Photo of the Day: BMX Crew

2009-11-06T12:27:00.001-05:00

via flickr.com

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Photo of the Day: Humber Arch

2009-11-05T11:39:00.002-05:00

via flickr.com

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Mountain Equipment Co-op raises ire of bicycle industry

2009-11-04T12:52:00.001-05:00

Apparently a large sports retailer getting into the bike business is somehow a no-no?

Mountain Equipment Co-op, which has built its retailing reputation on a feel-good image of environmental and social responsibility, has ignited anger in an unlikely place – the bicycle industry.

Its foray this month into bike selling has been criticized by rival specialty retailers for everything from unfair competition because of its tax-exempt status, to a Wal-Mart-style money grab, to unethical sourcing.

Bike enthusiasts' ire toward MEC intensified when an executive at the non-profit chain slammed the bike industry in a blog on the company's website, calling it “grey, dusty and dirty.” The blog entry was later removed.

Some bike-parts suppliers have even refused to ship to MEC, while one Quebec distributor last month dropped a major Canadian parts manufacturer from its roster because the supplier is selling to MEC.

“It's no different to me than somebody buying a product at Wal-Mart that they could buy at their local mom-and-pop store,” says Pete Lilly, owner of Sweet Pete's Bike Shop in Toronto and former president of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, which represents suppliers and retailers in the estimated $1-billion industry.

“Independent bicycle retail offers something very different than Mountain Equipment Co-op can,” Mr. Lilly says.

Full Article

No disrespect to Pete Lilly, but different types of people shop at different kinds of stores. Does he have the same objection to Canadian Tire selling bikes?

Should only independent retailers sell bikes? Why?

Discuss this in the Biking Toronto Forum

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HUGE Cycling Budget Increase for 2010?

2009-11-04T12:33:00.001-05:00

Now, I'm not an expert in how the city allocates funds for cycling... I do know that of the whole cycling budget, some goes to the Parks & Rec department for trail upkeep, and some goes to the roads department for bikelanes... and some goes other places, but all the news stories about the 2010 budget has great news for cycling infrastructure:

- Next year Toronto will spend $217.6 million on new subway cars that will hold more passengers - the beginning of a 10-year program to buy a total of 360 new subway cars;
- The city will spend $72 million on new buses, part of a 10-year program to buy 390 new buses.

- Construction of the Sheppard East light rail line will gather speed, with spending of $163 million.

- Plans call for $22.6 million of spending next year on new bike lanes and paths.

Looking back at old blog posts about the subject, I dredged up some old cycling budget numbers:

2010 - 22.6 million
2009 - 8.6 million
2008 - 5.5 million
2007 - 3.0 million

I hope I'm not wrong about this being a HUGE increase, but maybe someone better versed in municipal budgets could shed some more light on this?

Discuss this on the Biking Toronto Forum

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Duncans City Ride: Where We Park Our Bikes in Toronto

2009-11-04T10:22:00.002-05:00

Sure, we're world-famous for our post and ring bike racks... but where else is there to park your bicycle in Toronto? Turns out, you've got plenty of options...
There's the "Classic":

At BMO Field there are arches:
In Parkdale you get glasses:

Much, much more on Duncan's City Ride

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Photo of the Day: Evening Couple

2009-11-04T08:04:00.002-05:00

via flickr.com

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Photo of the Day: Ride the Hippo

2009-11-03T09:17:00.002-05:00

via flickr.com

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Photo of the Day: Monochrome Style

2009-11-02T13:44:00.005-05:00

via flickr.com

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Cycling Events This Week: Nov. 2 - 8

2009-11-02T13:44:00.004-05:00

What's on this week:

View more than the next week on the BikingToronto Events Page.

Wed, Nov 4
10am
TBN's Wednesday Wheelie Ride

The nature of the Wednesday day rides known as the "Wednesday Wheelies" might be the best-kept secret in the TBN. Wednesday Wheelies are social, tourist-level rides that cover routes similar to the popular Country Cruises, but which have the glorious advantage of roads, often busy with traffic on a Sunday, being nearly deserted mid-week.

http://www.tbn.ca/cycling/wheelie.htm

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Weekly News Wrap-Up: Railpath Opening and OMB Denies SmartCentres (Again)

2009-10-30T08:34:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday to you. Here's all your news from the past week! Not as much going on now that the weather is cooling down, but there's always *something* going on. :)

SmartCentres Appeal Request Denied
Back in April, SmartCentres appealed the OMBs decision to not allow a bigbox development in Leslieville. News from Paul Young of the South Riverdale Community Health Centre is that this request has been denied: The Ontario Divisional Court has just handed down their decision...

West Toronto Railpath: Official Opening - Fri, Oct. 30
Councillor Adam Giambrone invites you to the official opening of the West Toronto Railpath Park on Friday, October 30, 2009. Councillor Giambrone, the City of Toronto, and Friends of the West Toronto Railpath are pleased to open the first 2.1 km of this exciting recreational trail...

Photo of the Day: Spadina Cyclists

2009-10-30T08:32:00.002-04:00

via flickr.com

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Photo of the Day: Urban Cowgirl

2009-10-29T09:58:00.002-04:00

via flickr.com

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SmartCentres Appeal Request Denied

2009-10-28T17:32:00.002-04:00

Back in April, SmartCentres appealed the OMBs decision to not allow a bigbox development in Leslieville.

News from Paul Young of the South Riverdale Community Health Centre is that this request has been denied:

The Ontario Divisional Court has just handed down their decision.
The request for appeal of the OMB's decision has been denied.

To quote our lawyer, Eric Gillespie,

"There is no ability to appeal from this decision, so this is the end for SmartCentres' case."

We'd like to thank Eric, the city lawyer Brendan O'Callahan, and everyone who participated at the OMB hearing or contributed toward helping the cause for our community!

Here's a few blog posts about the subject:

SmartCentres and their Dumb BigBox Parking Lot Plan for the Lakeshore Multi-Use Path (April 2008)

OMB Stops Walmart - Good News for East End Cyclists (March 2009)

SmartCentres Appeals Pro-Neighbourhood and Pro-Cyclist OMB Decision (April 2009)

This is great news for Toronto cyclists because not only will a 1,700 parking lot NOT be built, but the proposed SmartCentre plan called for multiple multi-lane driveways to be built across the multi-use path that runs along the north side of Lakeshore Boulevarde.

The development would have turned a nice and well-used multi-use path...

... into an intersection like the one at Lakeshore and Leslie:

via the BikingToronto Forum

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Photo of the Day: Old Bicycle Man

2009-10-28T08:51:00.002-04:00

via flickr.com

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Hallowheelin' Urban Cycling Challenge - Sat, Oct. 31

2009-10-27T09:45:00.002-04:00

studio tofu presents, in conjunction with:

dandyhorse magazine / spacing magazine / now magazine

First Annual Hallowheelin' Urban Cycling Challenge

Saturday, October 31st

- Open to ALL cyclists of ALL skill levels.

- Two Courses: Easy and Hard

- $8 To Ride, Includes Halloween After Party
- Registration Starts 530pm at Manic Coffee 426 College
- Ride Starts at 700pm SHARP!

- Halloween afterparty @ CineCycle 401 Richmond (Around back, off Spadina)

- Costumes STRONGLY suggested. Lights and Bag MANDATORY. Helmets suggested.

- Rain or Moon.

Tonnes of prizes furnished by:

Manic Coffee
Bikes On Wheels
Cycle Solutions
MEC
Origins Coffee
Blondie's Espresso Bar
Sweet Pete's
Bombshelter
Jet Fuel Coffee
Franklin Tattoo
Great Lakes Brewery

All proceeds going to FoodShare: http://www.foodshare.net/index.htm

via the BikingToronto Forum

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Photo of the Day: Heavy Metal Anklets

2009-10-27T07:57:00.002-04:00

via flickr.com

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West Toronto Railpath: Official Opening - Fri, Oct. 30

2009-10-26T13:31:00.002-04:00

Councillor Adam Giambrone invites you to the official opening of the West Toronto Railpath Park on Friday, October 30, 2009. Councillor Giambrone, the City of Toronto, and Friends of the West Toronto Railpath are pleased to open the first 2.1 km of this exciting recreational trail.

* Date: Friday, October 30, 2009
* Location: West Toronto Railpath entrance at Wallace Avenue (south of Dupont, west of Perth, north of Bloor). (map)

* Time:
o 2:00 p.m. – Opening Remarks
o 2:15 p.m. – Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
o 2:20 p.m. – cyclists gathered ride the trail and enjoy the sculptures
o 2:25 p.m. – interested participants invited walk 2.1 km and explore the trail and sculptures
* RSVP: Toronto Protocol RSVP Line 416-392-7667

The West Toronto Railpath Park is a new 2.1 kilometre multi-use trail that is perfect for cyclists, joggers, and people out for a stroll. Travelling alongside the railway corridor, it features extensive naturalized landscaping to create an appealing public space.

More Info (and Photos!) in the Biking Toronto Forum

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Critical Mass Hallowe'en Edition This Friday

2009-10-26T13:27:00.002-04:00

Critical Mass is riding this Friday... and as usual it'll be meeting at Bloor & Spadina at 6:00 and riding at 6:30.

This mass is usually the most fun, as everyone dresses up for Hallowe'en and rides in costume. Great responses from pedestrians. :)

Discuss (and share photos from past Halloween Rides in the Biking Toronto Forum

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Duncans City Ride: Toronto Prepares for Public Bicycling

2009-10-26T11:39:00.002-04:00

From WalrusMagazine.com:

Driving the Lane: Toronto Prepares for Public Bicycling
by Emily Testa
What do Jack Layton and David Byrne have in common? Sure, Layton’s Twitter account tells us he’ll be busking on the Danforth this Saturday, but at press time, the range of his musical talent remains untested. No, it’s a shared interest in the future of cycling that unites the current NDP leader and former Talking Head, who will participate in an October 24 panel discussion at the International Festival of Authors. Along with Toronto Cyclists Union executive director Yvonne Bambrick and urban designer Ken Greenberg, Layton and Byrne will discuss the potential of urban planning — specifically, bike lanes — to improve the political climate of cycling in Toronto and around the world.

More at Duncan's City Ride

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Cycling Events This Week: Oct. 26 - Nov. 1

2009-10-26T08:18:00.002-04:00

What's on this week:

View more than the next week on the BikingToronto Events Page.

Oct 28 10am
TBN's Wednesday Wheelie Ride

Oct 29 5pm-7pm
Toronto Cyclists Union "Cinq à Sept"

This monthly event is intended to provide a space where bike union board, executive, management team, ward captains, volunteers, and members can come together and converse over a refreshing beverage. This event is not formal and is not a meeting. Rather, it is a space where the union can meet for the sake of meeting.

http://bikeunion.to/news/2008/11/23/cinq-sept

Oct 29 7pm
Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting

Committee Room 2
2nd Floor, City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Toronto

http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/committee/index.htm

Oct 30 6pm-8pm
Critical Mass Toronto(Hallowe'en Edition)

Join hundreds of cyclists for a group ride around downtown Toronto.

Bloor & Spadina - meet at 6 pm, ride at 6:30

http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=437

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Photo of the Day: Wall of Bicycle Stencils

2009-10-26T08:16:00.003-04:00

Just some examples of Janet's work. More here at:

www.flickr.com/photos/janetbikegirl/

via flickr.com

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Weekly News Wrap-Up: Thanking Drivers and Evaluating 2009

2009-10-23T09:32:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday to you. Here's all your news from the past week!

Queens Quay Revitalization Update
Waterfront Toronto has released their October newsletter, which includes an update on the Queens Quay Revitalization: Waterfront Toronto’s plan to transform Queens Quay into a grand lakefront boulevard was approved overwhelmingly at October’s City Council meeting. The recommendation to replace two lanes of traffic south of the streetcar tracks…

Thank You - Cyclists Paving the Way
Cyclists make nice to drivers About 5,000 cards with the words "Thank You" have been printed for cyclists to give to deserving drivers, perhaps by tapping on the car window at a stop light, Bambrick said. A motorist who looks over his or her shoulder before swinging open their…

Michael Bryant can't drive, so he's cycling
Lawyers to make court appearance in Bryant case Lawyers in the Michael Bryant case are expected to make a brief court appearance today, their first since the former attorney-general was charged in connection with the death of a cyclist. Dan Robertson of Navigator Limited, the public-relations firm hired by…

2009: A Good/Bad Year for Cycling?
A recent Torontoist post about the Bike Union's BikeCampTO makes the argument that 2009 has been a bad year for cycling in the city. I commented on the post and listed 6 things (just to name a few) that have happened this year that makes it a GOOD year…

Photo of the Day: Neon Nuit Blanche

2009-10-23T09:30:00.002-04:00

via flickr.com

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Duncans City Ride: How a Guy Can Look Good on a Bicycle in Toronto

2009-10-22T09:44:00.002-04:00

A short while ago I posted about how we dress when biking in Toronto.
I think we're a pretty good looking bunch here in Toronto. Of course, when I tell people I'm a cyclist I can instantly see their eyes fog over as they picture me in full spandex.
As we've seen from my post, you don't need to wear spandex to enjoy biking in Toronto. However, if you're looking for more inspiration, here's some clothing brands that could help you overcome "spandex anxiety" and bike in comfort and style:
Bikes Without Borders: While not a clothing brand per se, Mountain Equipment Co-op carries some of their t-shirts and hoodies and they certainly have nothing to do with lycra:

via Duncan's City Ride

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