[getsmart-l] [TCAT News e-bulletin] January 24, 2008

[Janet May]

FYI 

 

  _____  

From: Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation
[mailto:info at torontocat.ca] 
Sent: January 24, 2008 4:13 PM
To: janet at smartgrowth.on.ca
Subject: [TCAT News e-bulletin] January 24, 2008

 


January 24, 2008


[If you are having trouble reading this message please
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/node/159> click here] 

Recent TCAT activities and news items: 

1.	Centennial Cycling Centre Meeting - January 29
2.	Metrolinx to release Active Transportation Green Paper
3.	Roncesvalles Reconstruction - TTC & City Planning underway
4.	Bikes continue to outsell cars in Australia

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1. Centennial Cycling Centre Meeting - January 29

As covered in  <http://www.torontocat.ca/main/node/55> previous editions of
the TCAT News e-bulletin the City is currently in the process of designing a
new Master Plan for Centennial Park in Etobicoke. Information on this
process and reports released to date are available by
<http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/centennial.htm> clicking here. 

Cyclists - especially recreational racers who currently use the park - have
been disappointed with the plans so far. The Midweek Cycling Club is asking
the City to help create a world-class cycling centre at the newly designed
park, and is holding a public meeting to discuss and form "Combined Needs
and Fundraising Committees." While this is an effort directed mainly at and
for recreational racers, the intended designs will likely benefit all
cyclists who use the park. 


Date: Tuesday, January 29th 


Time: 7:30 pm 


Location: private room at Canadiana Restaurant, 5230 Dundas St. West (see
directions below)


Agenda: 

*	meet and greet
*	scope of project
*	briefing on "what we need to do" to get federal and provincial
funding (by Ihor Wons)
*	general discussion
*	break out into committees and start working the project. The needs
committee will be subdivided into road, mountain, bmx and cyclo-cross
working groups

Please RSVP your intention to attend and which committee you wish to
participate on.

For more info,  <http://www.midweekclub.ca/> click here or contact Craig
Fagan at cfagan at sympatico.ca


Directions to Canadiana Restaurant: Subway: exit Kipling Station and walk to
Dundas, turn east and the plaza is on the north side; 5 to 8 minute walk.
>From Highway #401/407: exit south on Highway #427 to Dundas Street eastbound
and travel eastbound on Dundas exactly six traffic lights to Six Points
Plaza which is located just west of Kipling Avenue. From Q.E.W. Highway:
exit northbound on Kipling Avenue and travel north to the "Dundas Street
Westbound" ramp. Six Points Plaza is located on right-hand side on Dundas
Street. 

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2. Metrolinx to release Active Transportation Green Paper 

A draft version of the Metrolinx (formerly the Greater Toronto
Transportation Authority) Green Paper on Active Transportation is up for
approval by its board this Friday, January 25th, and will then be released
for public comment. 

You can read the report by
<http://www.metrolinx.com/Client%20Documents/1/Board/Jan08/8._Appendix_A_-_G
reen_Paper_3_-_Active_Transportation_(Jan_25-08).pdf> clicking here. 

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3. Roncesvalles Reconstruction - TTC & City Planning underway 

Over the past few years, the City and the TTC, along with the local BIA and
residents associations, have been working on a plan for the reconstruction
of Roncesvalles Avenue. It now looks like this project will go ahead in
2009. The  <http://www.roncesvallesvillage.ca/> Roncesvalles Village
Business Improvement Area has many posts on the redesign process, with
drawings and images, as does a group called
<http://www.roncesvallesrenewed.org/> Roncesvalles Renewed. 

Councillor  <http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/perks1.htm> Gord Perks'
office has forwarded to TCAT further plans prepared by the TTC. The
presentation can be viewed by
<http://www.torontocat.ca/main/sites/all/files/Roncesvalles%20at%20Queen%20R
econstruction%20Plans.ppt> clicking here (though there is unfortunately no
text or explanation to go along with it). 

The redesign is intended to improve the pedestrian realm, however there is
concern that cyclists' needs are not being given enough consideration. 

Stay tuned for more updates on this important project and opportunities for
public involvement. 

  _____  

4. Bikes continue to outsell cars in Australia

As reported in
<http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jan08/jan08news> Cycling
News: 

Australian lobby groups are calling for more government funding for cycling
infrastructure, after the release of new figures showing the industry sold
more bikes than the car industry did vehicles for the eighth consecutive
year in 2007. The nation sold a record 1.47 million bicycles in 2007,
compared to 1.04 million cars, while the government is believed to spend
$7.5 billion on road related expenditure compared to the $100 million spent
on cycling infrastructure.

"Soaring petrol prices, concern over climate change, crippling traffic
congestion and the desire to lead healthier lifestyles all contributed to
the record breaking year" said Elliot Fishman, policy advisor at the Cycling
Promotion Fund. "Not only are Australians buying more bicycles, they are
using them in increasing numbers. Cycling has become the fourth most popular
physical activity with more than 1.6 million Australian adults cycling in
2006, an increase of 17 percent from 2001.

"Recently released Census figures show that many Australians have
rediscovered the bicycle as a great way to commute, with cycling trips to
work growing at an average 22 percent across Australian capital cities; with
Melbourne soaring 42 percent between 2001 and 2006," added Fishman.

The Cycling Promotion Fund, together with other national cycling
organisations and over 60 councils across the country, have called on the
Federal Government to adopt its Healthy and Active Transport (HEAT) proposal
on the back of the figures. The HEAT programme involves a Commonwealth
contribution of $50 million per annum direct to local government for walking
and cycling infrastructure projects.

"Australians want to become more active and are looking for practical ways
to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," Rosemarie Speidel, the programme
director of the Cycling Promotion Fund said. "Cycling offers an accessible
and popular way for people to not only look after their body but also the
planet and it is terrific to see so many Australians taking up cycling".

"The challenge is now for all level of Governments to significantly increase
funding to improve bicycle infrastructure to make it easier for Australians
to make healthy and sustainable choices" concluded Fishman. 

  _____  


TCAT News - Help spread the word! 

TCAT is continually looking to increase its list of supporters. It helps to
be able to say how many people and organizations support the work we do when
we speak with City Councillors, City staff, and the media, or put out a
publication. Please send this message to any groups or individuals you think
would be interested in learning more about TCAT, receiving our weekly
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To learn more about TCAT, visit our web site at  <http://www.torontocat.ca>
www.torontocat.ca 

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