The BTAC (Bicycle Trade Association of Canada) held a reception last night. Though the politicians failed to show, the board of directors did get to meet Councillor Heaps earlier in the day. They had a good discussion on what needs to be done for cycling in Toronto. A number of city staff and reps of various cycling organizations were also present for the free fodder: the Toronto Cycling Committee, Community Bicycle Network, and ... maybe that was it. I don't know if the other groups were conveniently not invited or if they just couldn't make it.
One of the board members, Pete Lilly of Sweet Pete's filled me in on conversations BTAC has had with the federal government on getting a GST rebate, and to the Ontario government on getting a PST rebate on all cycling equipment. If the feds can create a rebate program for hybrids (and the gas-guzzling E85 vehicles which may some day actually be able to burn high-ethanol gasoline if they ever have it available in Canadian gas stations) why not for bicycles?
They claim that they have a good chance of convincing the province in implementing a PST rebate before the next election.
They also want to work closely with the city of Toronto in getting more bike lanes in since, as they told me, Toronto seems to be getting behind other Canadian cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver. Exactly how they intend to help the city remains to be seen.
It's refreshing to get support from the bicycle industry and that they seem to be getting the direct connection between cycling infrastructure and cycling. If cycling is to become more than a fringe mode of transportation then BTAC will need to be there to help change the facts on the ground. And when there are more regular cyclists then there are more people who need to buy bike stuff. I think this shift in BTAC is in no small part due to the new board members.
Comments
fredf (not verified)
bike lanes
Thu, 06/07/2007 - 12:06I must say, I'm pretty cynical about bike lanes. You can paint a stripe down any street and call it a bike lane but that doesn't make it an acceptable route for cyclists.
Lot's of streets are part of a 'cycling route' but there are no measures to separate cyclists from cars, there are usually parked cars intruding into the lanes and one route I am thinking of the cycling lane is about 20 inches wide.
So I implore the Toronto Cycling Cte to not bother wasting taxpayers money painting stripes and chalking up meaningless km of cycle lanes.
Let's be honest--either make a proper bicycle route or just admit you're not really interested.
joe
To BikeLane or Not to BikeLane...
Thu, 06/07/2007 - 12:50I'm of two minds when it comes to bikelanes ...
1) as an now-experienced cyclist, I largely prefer bikelane-less streets as they allow my to easily take the lane and roam all over the place as a "legal vehicle" without being contained (if only psychologically, if not physically) to a bikelane along the gutter.
2) However, I am new enough to biking that I can remember the harrowing start of getting used to cycling alongside motorized traffic... bikelanes were a HUGE help in this (specifically, the Dundas East ones), and I still sometimes opt for bikelaned streets if I'm tired or have had a hard day battling inattentive drivers. Bikelanes are a nice break from the "mix" of regular streets, if you're mentally fatigued, or a new cyclist.
darren
American friends
Thu, 06/07/2007 - 12:34I wonder if they've been talking to John Burke, president of Trek bicycle.
Link to his speech on youtube.