Bike to the Future…of Toronto Centre-Rosedale
Guest post by Lynda Young of Cycle Toronto Bike 27
In 2012, the City of Toronto saw the beginnings of its very first separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) on Sherbourne. In the same year, the city became the first major city to see a net loss of bike lanes, with the removal of the bike lanes on Jarvis. All these happened in wards 27 and 28, Toronto Centre-Rosedale. Yet, Bike27 and Bike28, Cycle Toronto’s ward advocacy groups, are hopeful that the future of infrastructure in our neighbourhood can be better. In January, a Sherbourne audit ride and survey study and report was done to find out what people thought of the cycle tracks, and how they and cycle tracks of the future can be better. That’s only the beginning.
In conjunction with Bike Month 2013, Bike27 and Bike28 are co-organising Cycle the Community, a Ride to the Future of Toronto Centre-Rosedale. This is a volunteer-run guided bike tour of planned bike infrastructure projects in the two wards. Highlights of the tour will include discussions on Sherbourne cycle tracks, Wellesley/Hoskins connection improvements, Bay/Davenport intersection improvements, Richmond/Adelaide cycle tracks to-come and much more. We will also be discussing what you can do about illegal parking in bike lanes.
Volunteers preparing for Cycle the Community tour rides. Photo by Lynda Young
So is this just another ride? No! Cycle the Community is also a community event, an opportunity to connect with the community. Local Councillor Wong-Tam will be there to give the opening speech, and there will be tons of opportunity to socialise with other cyclists. Be prepared to be entertained by CYCLOPS: Cycling Oriented Puppet Squad, and get your bikes checked by volunteers from Bike Pirates and Bike Sauce. Other community partners include PUSH the Envelope, Alberto Bomba’s amazing bike sculptures, MEC Bikefest and Urbane Cyclist. Resident Associations and Neighbourhood Groups in our wards have also been invited. It’s all about building the community!
The event starts at 12 noon at Allan Gardens’ BIXI station near Carlton and Sherbourne. The guided bike tours start at 1pm, leaving from Allan Gardens in groups of eight to ten, and will cover almost 10km with 7 stops, lasting just over 1 hour, ending at Sugar Beach at Queens Quay. Participants without a bicycle can also join us for the guided bike tour using BIXI, using BIXI day passes from BIXI Toronto.
Cyclists form a giant bicycle at last year’s Jarvis ride. Photo courtesy of Martin Reis
For more event information and updates, visit our facebook event page. Reservation for tour spots or BIXI day pass can also be made by contacting us at ward27@cycleto.ca or ward28@cycleto.ca Follow us on twitter @CycleTorontoW27 and #cyclethecommunity
The future can be better. Join us to find out more about how you can play a part to make it happen!
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Related on the dandyBLOG:
Sherbourne Bike Lane Audit Ride
Toronto Cyclists Protest the Jarvis Bike Lane Removal – Day 2
Jarvis bike lane removal protest…continued
