It's not how you dress it up, but what gets done that counts!

Steve Jobs is too busy creating new experiences to change his wardrobe.

Its deja vu, all over again!

The more things change, the more they stay the same!  Although Steve Job's attire hasn't changed, innovative Apple has released more successful new products than........



Year ~2000 issues on the Burlington Cycling Committee

1. no safe north / south bike corridors
2. liftbridge needs a safe lakeside crossing
3. overpasses crossing the QEW are dangerous
4. 1997 bikeways plan snail's pace progress?

Year 2011 issues on the Burlington Cycling Committee

1. no safe north / south bike corridors
2. liftbridge needs a safe lakeside crossing
3. overpasses crossing the QEW are dangerous
4. 2009 cycling master plan snail's pace progress?

Its not all doom & gloom.  Some very positive notes:

1. we now have bike lanes on Brant St. north of Victoria
2. bike lanes on Guelph Line Lakeshore Road to New St.
3. paved hydro corridors
4. Fairview interchange with coloured bike lanes, slower speeds & streetscaping.
5. half measure at the canal liftbridge
6. a new cycling master plan (funding, what funding?)
7. The 2010 Ontario Bike Summit is in Burlington & features a keynote address by the mayor of Portland, Oregon one of the most innovative, cycling friendly cities in North America!

For those of you who cringe at change, more change is coming!

Conquering Burlington's Great Continental Divide

Divided by the highways!

Burlington is a city divided.  Divided by its highways.  Living north of the QEW, rarely did I cycle the waterfront.  When we  moved to the downtown core, all my cycling was on the waterfront or around the bay through Hamilton.  Burlington's Great Divide impacts all Burlingtonians.  If you live south of the QEW, you can bike to the nearest GO Station.  However, live north of the QEW & you wouldn't consider biking to the GO Station because it means crossing the QEW overpasses. 

The QEW, 403 and 407 are monumental barriers to safe cycling.  The Burlington Road Safety Committee had determined that a cyclist has a 33x greater risk of collision when they cross an overpass.  Overpasses are governed by the Ministry of Transport of Ontario (MTO).

What can we do, quickly & cost effectively, to make these collision magnets safer?

Walker Line Blue Lane

Burlington's north / south sub-committee has asked city staff to work with MTO to begin implementing the positive changes MTO accepted at the Fairview QEW interchange to other overpasses:

1. narrower vehicle lanes - it slows motorists down & allows a bike lane to be added
2. slower posted speed limits & enforcement
3. a coloured bike lane where possible or sharrows.  A coloured bike lanes reminds motorists daily that cyclists also use the road.

The sooner MTO approves these changes, the sooner we conquer our Great Divide.  The Ontario Bike Summit, would be a great time for MTO to show it really is cycling friendly and announce these changes!

You own a car, NOT the road! - or A Metre Matters, eh!

Spectacular day to cycle to Port Dalhousie.  Good company, weather was perfect, roads were quiet and the wind was at our back.  All the elements for a good karma day.

We did however encounter some karma disrupting moments as some motorists felt we were encroaching upon their turf, their lane, traveling at a speed too slow for their liking.  After some yelling, finger pointing, huffing and puffing, we got back to our happy place.

A Metre Matters!  Often its all that separates a cyclists between 2 tons of SUV bumper and tragedy.   The bigger SUV are over 8,000 pounds!  In a collision, no matter what the speed, the cyclist always loses.

Share the Road Cycling Coalition has given its support to a private member's bill introduced by MPP Cheri DiNovo to amend the Highway Traffic Act, requiring motor vehicle drivers to give at least 3-feet (or 1 metre for metric users) of clearance when passing bicycles.  Although the bill did not pass, many private member's bill find their way onto the law books in subsequent sessions.  Let's hope this one makes it sooner rather than later.

Cycling friendly initiatives, like the 3 foot law - or A Meter Matters, gather momentum at events like the Ontario Bike Summit.  Make a change, make a difference.  Come to the Ontario Bike Summit, in Burlington, Sept. 20-21.

Bicycle Friendly Communities - eh?

The Americans have had them for years.  Bicycle Friendly Communities courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists.

They're coming to Canada - to Ontario specifically.  The League of American Bicyclists has given Share the Road Cycling Coalition their blessing and help to Canadianize and use their successful program in Canada.

Original BFC plaque modified!

What will it take to be a bicycle friendly community?  The answers may surprise you.  Sure you can expect bike lanes to be part of it but its much, much more.

You can attend a hands on workshop to discover what it takes to become a Canadian bicycle friendly community at the Ontario Bike Summit held in Burlington, Ontario Sept. 20 & 21.

Which city in Canada has what it takes to become the first?  Come to the summit & bring your bike.

Wouldn't this plaque look great in your community?  Its not easy, it will take work, lots of work but it will be worth it!

See you at the Ontario Bike Summit!  Thank you League of American Bicyclists.

"The most beautiful, wonderful bike city in the world!"

It didn't happen over night.  It took over 40 years.  In the 60s, Copenhagen and other European cities were car centric and congested like North American cities.  Per capita car numbers were similar.

Today Copenhagen has congested rush hours.  However, they are bike congested rush hours.

If you have the time, check out the video cycling in Copenhagen.  It's worth watching.  At the 8:29 mark, a typical pretty Danish girl passionately tells you she is living in the most beautiful, wonderful bike city in the world.

You'll never bike alone in Copenhagen.

There are 350km of cycle tracks in Copenhagen, 1 out of 3 people bike to work every day averaging 1.2 million kilometres daily.

Wouldn't it be great if we could boast Burlington is the most beautiful, wonderful bike city in the world!

Back to the Future - May 2000

Today's Globe & Mail announced that London's bike sharing program will use bikes made in Quebec.  Bike sharing programs are ALL the rage.  Toronto, Montreal, Paris, Barcelona and many other world class cities jumping aboard the bike sharing wagon as a means of relieving  traffic congestion.

Burlington's 2000 Bikeway Committee was eons ahead of the curve with its own Blue Bike program and it was free!

Its also a fabulous way to keep fit and you'll have fun and save money doing it!
 
According to Environment Canada, “each Canadian makes an average of 2,000 car trips of less than 3 km each year. …For distances up to 5 km, cycling is recognized as the fastest of all modes from door to door.”

What did you do during the Bike Week of 2010, dad?

Fitted helmets.
Put on bells & reflectors.  Made a bike safer.
Rode in the rain with the MEC guys.
Rode the Brian Smith scholarship ride.
Rode the newly paved hydro corridor path with friends from city hall.
Learned about bike mechanics.
Made a NEW friend or 2 or 3!
Had a dessert at the Waterfront  Leisure Trail Company.
Gave out a new cycling map.
Had a great time.
Made a difference!
Took some pictures, but not enough.
Thanks to all who participated & made a difference.

Boldly getting us to where NO OTHER MP has taken us before!

In good company, getting it done!

Thanks to the efforts of MP Mike Wallace, the government department that owns the liftbridge (Public Works Government Services Canada - PWGSC) will study the cost of adding a lakeside multipurpose path on the bridge.  The  lakeside path will make it safer to cross at the liftbridge, eliminating the need to use the too narrow current path.

An accident waiting to happen!

PWGSC has stated that the required over haul of the bridge mechanics and electronics must be completed before the path.  As a taxpayer, it makes sense to complete the 2 projects at the same time.

The multipurpose path is an investment.  Based on statistics from the Niagara Region & health data, the investment will be paid back in as few as 2-3 years in tourism dollars, health benefits from active living, improved quality of life and a better environment.  All this and increased safety!

Thanks Mike!  Make it so!

PS:  If PWGSC receives funding & decides to do both projects at the same time, we  are talking 2013 at the earliest.

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!