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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
On Sat, 08 May 2004 15:05:27 GMT, "Doug Purdy" wrote:
Check out Jan Wong's article "All thos cycle paths" in today's Globe and Mail Toronto section page M3 or at http://www.globeandmail.com Try: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040508/WONG08//?query=jan+wong "At City Hall, a volunteer committee of 20 activist citizens views every issue through the mud-spattered lens of an oppressed cyclist. Their job is to develop policy and advise city staff and elected officials on cycling matters. Last month, the committee virtually ensured that city council will vote to slash the fine for sidewalk cycling to $50 from $90. The rationale: The roads are getting too dangerous. "The pedestrian committee, a kinder, gentler group, actually supported the cycling committee in cutting the fine. Asked why, Rita Brooks, the pedestrian co-chairwoman and a non-cyclist, hesitated. "It was sort of the lower-income argument. But that's not very good, is it?" "The cycling committee holds sway over a $72-million bike plan that will change the face of the city. That includes doubling the number of cyclists in Toronto within 10 years by ensuring everyone lives within a five-minute ride of a network of 1,000 kilometres of bike paths" A self-fulfilling prophecy. More evidence that the greatest threat to people who wish to ride their bikes to go somewhere or who wish to ride above 5 km/h and don't desire dodging and weaving around 3 year olds on tricycles is the so-called Cycling Advocate. |
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#2
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
In article ,
Chris B. writes: A self-fulfilling prophecy. More evidence that the greatest threat to people who wish to ride their bikes to go somewhere or who wish to ride above 5 km/h and don't desire dodging and weaving around 3 year olds on tricycles is the so-called Cycling Advocate. I dunno. A $50 fine can still sting. But the ostensible reason (the roads getting more dangerous) doesn't quite sound 'right'. cheers, Tom -- -- Powered by FreeBSD Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca |
#3
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
Chris B. wrote: On Sat, 08 May 2004 15:05:27 GMT, "Doug Purdy" wrote: Check out Jan Wong's article "All thos cycle paths" in today's Globe and Mail Toronto section page M3 or at http://www.globeandmail.com Try: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040508/WONG08//?query=jan+wong "At City Hall, a volunteer committee of 20 activist citizens views every issue through the mud-spattered lens of an oppressed cyclist. Their job is to develop policy and advise city staff and elected officials on cycling matters. Last month, the committee virtually ensured that city council will vote to slash the fine for sidewalk cycling to $50 from $90. The rationale: The roads are getting too dangerous. "The pedestrian committee, a kinder, gentler group, actually supported the cycling committee in cutting the fine. Asked why, Rita Brooks, the pedestrian co-chairwoman and a non-cyclist, hesitated. "It was sort of the lower-income argument. But that's not very good, is it?" "The cycling committee holds sway over a $72-million bike plan that will change the face of the city. That includes doubling the number of cyclists in Toronto within 10 years by ensuring everyone lives within a five-minute ride of a network of 1,000 kilometres of bike paths" A self-fulfilling prophecy. More evidence that the greatest threat to people who wish to ride their bikes to go somewhere or who wish to ride above 5 km/h and don't desire dodging and weaving around 3 year olds on tricycles is the so-called Cycling Advocate. Agreed, we already have a network of routes to use on bicycles. It's called the streets and highways of where we live. Best regards, Bernie |
#4
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
city council will vote to slash the fine for sidewalk cycling to $50
from $90. The rationale: The roads are getting too dangerous. Since the old fine of $90 is 80% more than the new fine of $50, does that mean they think the roads are now 80% more dangerous than before, or is it simply that the life of a cyclist now worth $40 less than before?? What a load of horse-manure. |
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
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#7
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
On Sat, 08 May 2004 19:22:16 GMT, Chris B.
wrote: On Sat, 08 May 2004 15:05:27 GMT, "Doug Purdy" wrote: Check out Jan Wong's article "All thos cycle paths" in today's Globe and Mail Toronto section page M3 or at http://www.globeandmail.com Try: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040508/WONG08//?query=jan+wong "At City Hall, a volunteer committee of 20 activist citizens views every issue through the mud-spattered lens of an oppressed cyclist. Their job is to develop policy and advise city staff and elected officials on cycling matters. Last month, the committee virtually ensured that city council will vote to slash the fine for sidewalk cycling to $50 from $90. The rationale: The roads are getting too dangerous. "The pedestrian committee, a kinder, gentler group, actually supported the cycling committee in cutting the fine. Asked why, Rita Brooks, the pedestrian co-chairwoman and a non-cyclist, hesitated. "It was sort of the lower-income argument. But that's not very good, is it?" "The cycling committee holds sway over a $72-million bike plan that will change the face of the city. That includes doubling the number of cyclists in Toronto within 10 years by ensuring everyone lives within a five-minute ride of a network of 1,000 kilometres of bike paths" A self-fulfilling prophecy. More evidence that the greatest threat to people who wish to ride their bikes to go somewhere or who wish to ride above 5 km/h and don't desire dodging and weaving around 3 year olds on tricycles is the so-called Cycling Advocate. Most cyclists in Toronto, who are not riding on the paths are riding in traffic. _However_, (and I say that knowingly - I live here, and get around in the city as a pedestrian, a cyclist and a driver) Canadians, particularly those in southern Ontario, are much more aggressive on the road than fifteen years ago. I'm sure that visiting Americans have noticed our free interpretation of speed limits. There are sections of suburbia, both in city limits and in the surrounding muncipalities where I would not ride on the road in peak volumne traffic. The roads are designed (and used) as six lane high speed arterials - there is just too much difference in speed to bike safely. I'm thinking of Dixie Road in Mississauga, from Eglington north toe the 401 and north of the 401 to past Derry Rd. Cars routinely travel at 100kph,, and there is no shoulder, just curbs. I'm also thinking of the Queensway from Kipling to Dixie Rd. Massive volumne, a highway interchange with a 400 series highway, a destination shopping mall and a mushrooming group of outlet malls. Lots of cars travelling at highspeed, then braking and turning. On these sections, I soemtimes ride on the sidewalk. It's just safer. I'd rather not bounce a hundred metres down the road. Pedestrian traffic is very light. Downtown, OTOH, is a different story. Due to daytime congestion, bikes can move faster than cars in many neighbourhoods. Here, they belong on the road and only the road. In fact, if I'm riding the trails on the weekend, I make a point of doing so early in the morning, before the majority of the dog walkers and families with kids are out. The parks get heavily used after 10 am. Shiirley Hicks Toronto, Ontario |
#8
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
On Sat, 08 May 2004 23:58:31 -0700, LioNiNoiL_a t_NetscapE_D 0 T_NeT
wrote: city council will vote to slash the fine for sidewalk cycling to $50 from $90. The rationale: The roads are getting too dangerous. Since the old fine of $90 is 80% more than the new fine of $50, does that mean they think the roads are now 80% more dangerous than before, or is it simply that the life of a cyclist now worth $40 less than before?? What a load of horse-manure. Do you ride here? Shirley Hicks Toronto, Ontario |
#9
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
A mukluk wearing troll wants to know:
Do you ride here? I was riding there twenty years ago, when your mukluk was still on the seal. |
#10
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Reduced sidewalk riding fine & cycle paths
"A mukluk wearing troll" wrote in message
... There are sections of suburbia, both in city limits and in the surrounding muncipalities where I would not ride on the road in peak volumne traffic. The roads are designed (and used) as six lane high speed arterials - there is just too much difference in speed to bike safely. I'm thinking of Dixie Road in Mississauga, from Eglington north toe the 401 and north of the 401 to past Derry Rd. Cars routinely travel at 100kph,, and there is no shoulder, just curbs. I'm also thinking of the Queensway from Kipling to Dixie Rd. Massive volumne, a highway interchange with a 400 series highway, a destination shopping mall and a mushrooming group of outlet malls. Lots of cars travelling at highspeed, then braking and turning. On these sections, I soemtimes ride on the sidewalk. It's just safer. I'd rather not bounce a hundred metres down the road. Pedestrian traffic is very light. Hi Shirley, I've not been on those roads in rush hour for years. I remember Dixie as having very wide lanes. If highway speed drivers give me 6 feet I feel ok for destination travel but as volume mounts to rush hour I find it less and less enjoyable. Wondering when someone is going to hit me is only one aspect. Tire and engine noise, grit, exhaust, ugh! You get that on the sidewalk too. I would try to find a more pleasant route where I might be able to hear a bird sing or smell a flower. Expressways are barriers forcing traffic to the few bottleneck roads crossing them. In Toronto city limits there are a number of easier ways to cross Highway 401. Two very nice crossings are part of the river pathway systems. Another is just north of the Avenue Road/Wilson intersection where I had my accident. Through traffic is calmed to suffocation so aside from cars entering the expressway there's very little traffic, and on the north side you can hear birds! The more ways a city can open up it's expressway, rail line and subdivision barriers to bike crossing the easier it will be for cyclists to find satisfactory routes on existing streets. Downtown, OTOH, is a different story. Due to daytime congestion, bikes can move faster than cars in many neighbourhoods. Here, they belong on the road and only the road. In fact, if I'm riding the trails on the weekend, I make a point of doing so early in the morning, before the majority of the dog walkers and families with kids are out. The parks get heavily used after 10 am. Amen to both those points! Doug For email, a sense of wonder. |
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