Cycling weekend kickoff!!!! The bell's on us.

A reminder of a few great events this weekend for cyclists & cycling families.

1. Lids for Kids  Burlington Mall  Sat. May 29  9am until noon.
The Burlington Mall has donated the bike helmets, the Halton Regional Police will fit them on the kids, adjusting the straps so the helmet is snug and protective!  There will also be a bike rodeo.  The Burlington Cycling Committee will be installing the mandatory bike bells.  A bike mechanic will also be available to check brakes, seat height & other small mechanical issues.  ITS FREE!  Hope to see you there.
 PS: you can be fined $85 if your bike doesn't have a working bell!

2. Brian Smith Scholarship Ride Sun. May 30  Beach Parking Lot A
A memorial ride to raise funds for a Nelson High School scholarship honoring the memory of Brian Smith, a former physics/math teacher and mentor at Nelson High School who passed away unexpectedly in August 2008. He was a positive influence on hundreds of students and friends.
41K to Grimsby, 75km to Prudhommes, 140km to Niagara on the Lake - provided you cycle back!  For details & sign up check out the site at Second Wind conditioning. 
3.  Weekly Group Bike Ride by Nancy Hastings have begun!
These weekly group rides are geared to novice riders who have an interest in triathlon and road riding. • Depart 6pm • Every Thursday from May 13 to August 26,2010- 16 weeks • Timing of ride from 1 ½ to 2 hrs • Average speed 24-30km per hour • Requirements: road bike, sunglasses, helmet ,water bottle, spare tube ,bike pump and cell phone.  Again at Second Wind for details.
4.  Waterfront Trail Leisure Company - your downtown Burlington bike haven.
Its OPEN FOR BUSINESS.  They even have tandems so you can go for that waterfront ride with your sweetie!!  Check it out!

5. MEC Bike Fest Sun. June 6, Spenser Smith Park - all day
Along with fun and festivities, MEC Bikefest is a hub of knowledge where cyclists new and old can make connections and get the information they need to pursue their passion. Come and check out cycling vendors and advocacy groups onsite, join a group ride, or hunt for treasure across downtown Burlington.  Details MEC.

Scariest places to cycle in Burlington - there's no way to avoid them.

Liftbridge & experienced cyclists

Cycling is good for you and your health but it is risky.  The city is building its cycling infrastructure but too often bike lanes are put where it's easy, NOT where they should be!!!

Burlington and other communities have many scary areas you must cycle through.  From the liftbridge to the overpasses where you face a risk 33 times greater than normal of being involved in a collision.

What's your scariest area to cycle in Burlington?

Check out my pictures of scary, scary cycling areas in Burlington. 

These are the areas that need to be addressed in the cycling master plan!  The sooner, the better!

Slo-pitch player sues field owner after being struck by ball

Justice James R.H. Turnbull of the Ontario Superior Court has allowed a lawsuit against Dofasco to proceed.  “There is a genuine issue of whether Dofasco did take such care in all the circumstances of the case as was reasonable to see that persons playing on the diamond in positions where they may be blinded by the sun from line drives could do so in reasonable safety,” the judge ruled. 

What's this got to do with safe cycling in Burlington?

We have made Public Works Government Services Canada aware of the dangers of cyclists and pedestrians crossing Eastport Drive at the liftbridge.  Its an accident waiting to happen - again!  In 2003 a 58 year old cyclist was killed walking his bike across Eastport to use the narrow bayside crossing. –Several cyclists have been injured (including 1 broken arm), cycling over the slippery bridge grating. 
 
MTO personnel have observed that vehicle traffic on Eastport routinely travels 15-20kph over the posted speed limits.


Does PWGSC need a lawsuit to get them to do the right thing?  Its not a question of whether the lawsuit is justified or frivolous.  Dofasco will probably spend over several hundred thousand dollars to defend it. 



In the long run, a lakeside multipurpose path benefits everyone by promoting active lifestyles, reduces health costs, increases tourism and the quality of life in the area.  Let's get it done!

As the old FRAM commercial said, "Paid me now, or pay me a lot more later!!!"

A million wasted on legals fees or a million invested in a new lakeside multipurpose path.  Its a no-brainer!

Earth Day, schools, active living & cycling

Do as I say, not as I do!

The pictures were taken at a Burlington elementary school.  You can click on the pictures for a larger image.  The school did have some bike racks located on the other side of the school but they were full.

Childhood obesity rates are increasing.  We constantly tell our kids they should be more active.  I believe schools are telling them the same message.

We need our kids to live more active lives.


Let's start practicing what we preach.  Safe bike lanes are a great start but kids need to have secure, visible bike racks at school, too!

Its great to see so many bikes at schools!!

Raising the bar - 30km of new bike path per year for 20 years

Mississauga raises the bar & proposes an ambitious target of adding 30km of bike paths per year over 20 years!


They already have 350km of bike lanes in Mississauga but they are largely in parks and not connected.


With input from 1,000 residents, the ultimate goal is to put 95% of residents within 1km of a major cycling route connected to the network!!!


For comparison purposes, Burlington has 81km of bike lanes and paths & added 4.5km in 2009.


Click on the article to read it.

Weekly Group Bike Rides geared to novice riders - improve skills & comfort levels!

As your ride captain, Coach Nancy Hastings will introduce you to local ride routes, help you improve your cycling skills and comfort level for group riding.

These weekly group rides are geared to novice riders who have an interest in triathlon and road riding.

• Depart 6pm
• Every Thursday from May 13 to August 26,2010- 16 weeks
• Timing of ride from 1 ½ to 2 hrs
• Average speed 24-30km per hour
• Requirements: road bike, sunglasses, helmet ,water bottle, spare tube ,bike pump and cell phone
• Meet location: Longos plaza parking lot at Walkers Line &Hwy #5
• Cost $40 for season( covers insurance)
• Signed wavier is required in advance
• Nobody will get” dropped “from the group ride
• http://secondwindconditioning.ca/  for details & contact info.

Millions sought for Ontario cycling GTA-based coalition calls for safer roadways, more transit integration

Ontario needs to invest more bucks in bikes if it's going to reap the benefits of better health and cleaner air, and $20 million is a good place to start, says a Burlington-based cycling advocate.

"When we take a step back and look at what other provinces are doing – Quebec with their $200 million investment; B.C. with $31 million and the (U.S.) has spent $1.5 billion in the last year on cycling – $20 million seemed like a good place to begin," said Eleanor McMahon.

She founded the Share the Road Cycling Coalition three years ago after her husband, OPP Sgt. Greg Stobbart, was killed when he was clipped by a vehicle's side mirror while cycling off-duty.

McMahon's coalition is recommending the $20 million be allocated out of revenues from Ontario's upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax. It hopes to see a municipal building fund to create safer cycling infrastructure.

.....Star article link

And the Oscar goes to ...............Waterfront Trail Leisure Company

I normally don't get excited about new companies but this one, really is different!   Steve Whealy decided to take advantage of Burlington's unique waterfront and tremendous location as a hub for cycling tourism.  Based in the Village Square and opening in April, the WTLCI, will have year round varied offerings:
Bike Rentals, Indoor Riding Room, Cycling Getaways, Personal & Group Cycling Programs, Photo & Art Studio & a Cafe / Bistro.
In the heart of Burlington, steps away from the waterfront trail.  Check out the link at Waterfront Trail Leisure Company Inc.

An idea whose time has come!  Thanks Steve.

When Ontario Bikes, Ontario Benefits

Eleanor McMahon's Share the Road Cycling Coalition released its Green Paper at the Toronto Bike Show.  Its worthwhile reading that layouts out a framework for an Ontario Bike Policy.
Highlights include: Greater investment in cycling infrastructure, Education program for cyclists and motorists, Public Awareness & Promotion (cycling is beneficial for you) and Cycling Policy & Legislation. Once the new HST comes into effect, Ontario will reap $20 million in tax revenue from the sale of bikes & accessories.  The Green Paper asks that these funds be earmarked as an investment in cycling initiatives resulting in a better quality of life for Ontarians.

Healthier cities, see & learn how others are doing it!

This year the World Health Organization has recognized the significant contribution Car Free Sundays/Ciclovias can make to building healthy cities worldwide. For World Health Day 2010 it has called on one thousand cities around the world to open their streets to people and close them to cars in a campaign called 1000 Cities 1000 Lives.  8-80 Cities is pleased to partner with the World Health Organization on this campaign and is excited to introduce this wonderful and important endeavour on Tuesday February 2^nd, 2010.

Great Streets, Healthy Cities: Car Free Sundays Best Practices will highlight the best practices of planning and implementing Car Free Sundays from the foremost international program examples.  Three leading Car Free Sundays/Ciclovias experts will speak from their experiences in New York, San Francisco, Bogota and Guadalajara. Each will provide a unique perspective and a diversity of implementation tools and models. Following the presentations by each of the speakers, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.  

8-80 Cities will be holding an event open to the public in the evening of February 2^nd from 6:30-8:30pm at The George Ignatieff Theatre located at 15 Devonshire Pl., which you are most welcome to attend as well.   The Public Meeting – Great Streets, Healthy Cities information is included on the flyer.