Safe Cycling Coalition court battle update

Photo illustration by Rick Conroy

Angela Bischoff sends us this update:

"Just wanted to give you an update on our court date yesterday re: cyclists intervening in the case against the city for not doing a proper Environmental Assessment in the Bloor Transformation Project (between Ave. Rd. and Church St.)

"We had a fairly good day in the Divisional Court. Many details are in the coverage linked below, and we are lucky that there are merchants who are sufficiently ticked at aspects of this project that they're willing to risk $50,000 beyond the costs of the legal team of Clayton Ruby, as that's the sum for costs in a "winner takes all" situation as one Judge noted.

"Our pro bono counsel Albert Koehl reduced the foot of documents to a single half page showing the 8 lines of a 2001 email from City engineer Ms. Helen Noehammer that was all the city produced in the way of documenting how they classified this project.

"We don't know how the judges will rule; and it may take several months.

"Thanks to all those who showed up: please consider writing your own letters in to papers and also consider copying politicians with anything that you write. [Ed: See below for links.]

Photo Illustration by Rick Conroy

"Regardless of whether we win or lose, we think we already won.

"A. We are now mainstream: cyclists belong in the courts to assert their right to a piece of the road;

"B. The City will pay attention to cyclists. They can no longer ignore us.

"C. We still have an ace in the hole, as the province (Environmental Commissioners Office) will shortly (around October 13) decide if it will investigate the City for a violation of the MCEA (Municipal Class Environmental Assessment) --- if they say 'no' to an investigation, it will certainly be unreasonable.

"We'll keep you in the loop. Thanks for all your support.

"Angela, with notes from Hamish and Albert"

There was some good media coverage (linked in Angela's letter but reformatted here to be legible:

• Jeff Gray, Globe and Mail
• Donovan Vincent, Toronto Star
• Newswire

If you're into sending them emails: lettertoed@thestar.ca, letters@globeandmail.com