politics

Leiden University, Netherlands

In Friday's Star, Christopher Hume looks "beyond gridlock" as a sort of finale to their series on commuting in cities around the world.

Straight from Fred's desk to our email to this blog to your eyes and finally brain, here is the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation newsletter copy and pasted:

1. Martin Goodman Trail Bollards - TCAC recommends removal

Updates from the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation November 27th bulletin below. There is an update on the stalling of the city on making financial commitments to the Bike Plan; on Council approval of staff reporting on streamlining the bike lane approval process (this may be radical or mundane - it's hard to assess it's affect on the bureaucracy); and on the completed environmental assessment of the nightmarish Six-Points Interchange and the preference for an at-grade solution - likely much friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians.

Read on:

The ever interesting and wise Alan During has written a series of articles on Bicycle Neglect in "Cascadia" - the term for the biological and geographical region that comprises states such as Oregon, Washington, British Columbia.

This is a reminder to you dear Toronto residents and cyclists to get out and make deputations to the City of Toronto's Budget Committee. BikeToronto explains how the process works. The city also has a news release describing the process. The deadline for spoken deputations has passed, but you can still send a letter or email to your councillor, or send a written presentation to the Budget Committee. Email: buc@toronto.ca .

St.

Thanks to Michael Polanyi:

URGE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT NEW BIKE LANES FOR BLOOR-DANFORTH ON OCT 22!

New commuter bike lanes may FINALLY be on the way!

On Monday, October 22, City Council will decide whether to adopt recommendations from a new report on sustainable transportation (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-7193.pdf).

Today is election day in Ontario. Whether by foot or by bike, I hope we have many cyclists showing up to voice the interests of the pedal powered public.

This post has nothing to do with religious schools.

About 2 and a half weeks ago, I sent a letter to each candidate in my riding (Eglinton-Lawrence) to ask for their views on cycling. I thought their responses would be quick and timely, so I could start some discussion here well in advance of the election. I promised the candidates I would share their responses with other cyclists on this web site, hoping other readers might share any experiences with their local candidates.

The members of the newly formed Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee have been announced (pdf) (see item 11 on page 47). Two of our own bloggers - Tammy and Margaret - have been accepted! Congratulations! I expect to be getting lots of reports.

The first TCAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m., Committee Room 1, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.