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Assaulted for Biking past a Streetcar

Joe T. — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:43:21 +0000

Yesterday, Denise Ing broke one of her cardinal rules of biking and biked by a streetcar stopping for passengers. A waiting passenger assaulted her and the other TTC passengers supported this action.

I’m friends with Denise, and she’s one of the nicest people I know, and I share her belief that cyclists should not bike past stopped (or stopping) streetcars. Assaulting someone is a crime, and the TTC driver as well as the TTC passengers who did nothing after this happened should be ashamed.

Denise admits that she shouldn’t have biked past the streetcar, and the following is her story:

For the worst days of winter, I had decided to combine my Bixi membership with a TTC Metropass in order to keep biking a regular part of my commute. As I biked east toward the Bixi station at Queen St. W. and York St., I spotted the 501 Queen streetcar coming up behind me. In a bid to catch the 501, I raced towards my destination, arriving at the intersection just behind a 502 Downtowner streetcar with passengers already stepping off the curb.

In a split second, I decided to go against my better judgement, and proceed on my bike. This action also went against my personal beliefs; I am usually the cyclist waiting patiently for TTC commuters to board and disembark, and shouting at cyclists who callously plow through them.

But my impatience got the better of me, and I committed an offence. As I biked behind a passenger, he turned around suddenly and body checked me. The sturdiness of the Bixi saved me from flying into the glass TTC shelter, and I recovered quickly. I screamed at the man who had just assaulted me, while he shouted back his justification for this act.

I quickly parked my Bixi at the station, and ran back across the intersection in time to board the streetcar of my assailant. I demanded that the streetcar operator call the police to report an assault. There was a collective groan from the passengers. The TTC employee asked me if I was hurt. I was forced to admit that I was not. “Do you really want to delay this streetcar full of people for nothing?” he asked. Some of the passengers started heckling me.

In desperation, I asked the TTC employee to kick my assailant off the streetcar so that we could both wait for the police on the sidewalk. I could not hear his answer in the chorus of protests. “Why should he be kicked off?” “You shouldn’t have been cycling past a stopped streetcar!” “It was your fault!” I cannot recall hearing anything from my assailant, who hid at the back, letting others take up his cause.

As I stood in the middle of the streetcar, shaking from the adrenaline still coursing through me, I withered under the hostility and indifference. For these TTC passengers, I represented every cyclist who almost hit them when they should have stopped, every fixie aficionado who couldn’t skid stop fast enough, every cyclist who biked merrily on, oblivious to the shouts of outrage directed at his or her back.

I retreated for the exit of the streetcar, throwing accusations at the passengers that they had just assisted in an assault. One passenger got up abruptly, announcing that she was getting off because she did not support the assault. Others watched in silence. To the credit of the streetcar operator, he did not slam the doors shut in my face.

It meant a lot to have the support of that one passenger, but it was upsetting to be the focus of the simmering anger of TTC riders, kindled by a thousand discourteous acts of my fellow cyclists.

–
[photo by draughtsmon]

The News Cycle for Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012

Joe T. — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:45:35 +0000

Toronto News:

2011 Hero: Bixi Toronto [Torontoist]

When Bixi Toronto launched in May, we were surprised at how quickly we fell for the sturdy, practical rides that popped up at solar-powered stations across the downtown core—turns out that the bike-share system appeals to even habitual TTC users and bike owners. Stormy when you leave home? Take the TTC or a taxi, and when the sun’s shining later, you can hop on Bixi and pedal home. Planning to paint the town red? Bixi out, dock it and forget it; you won’t have to return for your wheels the next day.

Bikers brave bitter cold, snow for year-round freedom [CTV News]

Urban cycling advocate Yvonne Bambrick, also a year-round biker, said that cyclists should go with their comfort level.

“For folks afraid of cycling for the stated reason that it’s icy and snowy you can rest assure that those conditions are not everyday,” she said. “It is actually quite feasible to ride comfortably if you dress appropriately and keep some things in mind.”

Support Councillor Matlow’s Motion to Fine Illegally Parked Cars! [Toronto Cyclists Union]

The text of the motion has been revised somewhat from the original - read the General Manager’s report here. The fine has dropped from $500 to $150, but the rush hour period is now from 6-10AM and 3-7PM on weekdays. Even better, illegally parked cars in bike lanes are always subject to the $150 ticket with no time restrictions.

Call for Submissions: 365 Days of Cycling Photo Exhibit [Toronto Cyclists Union]

The Toronto Cyclists Union invites amateur and professional photographers to submit their works to 365 Days of Cycling: An Evening of Art and Cycling. The show is intended to highlight cycling in Toronto throughout the 4 seasons.

2011 Year End Wrap Up [The Urban Country]

As we approach another new year, I have been reflecting on the events of 2011 and how they have shaped both myself and this website. In many ways, 2011 has been a coming of age for The Urban Country. We have reached record levels of readership and have been told by many people that we are one of their favourite bike blogs.

Winter Biking:

How to choose a winter bike [Dandyhorse Magazine]

While just about any bike can be pressed into service [for winter riding], I generally recommend something other than a strict sport road bike. For a winter specific set up, I really like fixed gear and internally geared bikes. The reduction in cables and external shifting components simplifies maintenance and helps keep snow and slush buildup to a minimum.

Winter biking basics [Green Living Online]

Winter cycling is no longer the domain of daring bicycle couriers or mountain biking aficionados. With rising gas prices, environmental footprint concerns, and improved infrastructure for city riding, commuting by bicycle year-round is a growing trend.

Other:

Sleek Bike Charges Its Own Headlights And Your iPhone [Fast Company Design]

The math on your bike doesn’t seem to add up. The sweat from all those thigh-burning, hill-climbing miles evaporates into thin air, as you change batteries in your bike light and drag your GPS inside to charge it. Now a German bike company says it can transfer all those pedal revolutions into energy you can actually use.

10 bicycling myths debunked [Grist]

When it comes to bicycling, the pastime that can solve all of America’s most pressing problems, we’re like heat-seeking missiles in search of myths and misinformation. Our goal is simple: to get you to trade in your four-wheeled gas guzzler for a lean, clean, calorie-burning machine. Here are the top 10 myths that we debunked this year, all linked up and annotated for your enjoyment.

Bikestravaganza: Grist’s top bike stories of 2011 [Grist]

I spent the day yesterday digging through 18 — count ‘em, 18 — pages of search results in a quest to find Grist’s Overarching Narrative of the Bike in 2011. I laughed. I cried. I almost blew tea on my laptop. Then I biked home on streets that were blissfully bereft of automobiles. Without further ado, I give you the good, the bad, and the pee-your-pants funny from the past year in bicycling.

[top illustration from the Torontoist]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

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The News Cycle for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

Joe T. — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:33:32 +0000

From tragedy to disgust: Video of dead cyclist stolen [The Star]

Earlier this month, bicyclist Jenna Morrison was struck and killed by a truck while turning right from Sterling Rd. to Dundas St. W. Now, the family has been rocked by the news that a video camera containing footage of the much-loved yoga instructor dancing with her son has been stolen.

Side guards get nod from city council [NOW Magazine]

In an overwhelming 39-3 vote, councillors approved a broadly worded motion to look into introducing several safety measures on trucks in Toronto, including side guards and other features like audible warning systems. The motion also voiced council’s support for a federal bill that would make side guards mandatory across the country, and asked staff to investigate the feasibility of fitting the guards on all city-operated trucks.

Canadians want more bike lanes and law-abiding cyclists: poll [National Post]

Following recent high-profile cycling deaths in Ontario, results of a poll suggest four in five Canadians think until more cyclists respect the rules of the road, they won’t be able to gain the respect of motorists. “What Canadians are saying is that there needs to be more understanding between motorists and cyclists,” Ipsos Reid associate vice-president Sean Simpson said.

Reminder: Toronto Cyclists Union Member Appreciation Night [Bike Union]

The Bike Union’s Member Appreciation Night is tonight (Thursday) at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Get 10% off MEC products, INCLUDING bikes!

Bixi gets bigger [Spacing Toronto]

Locating Bixi stations close to each other and creating a dense service area is crucial for a bike share system that is structured for relatively quick, under 30-minute trips. However, the realization that there are opportunities for stations outside the initial service area, while less densely located, is a welcome one.

[photo from National Post]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011

Joe T. — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:58:45 +0000

Advertising good, bikes bad [Dodgeville]

Enough has been written about these stupid info pillars elsewhere that I won’t bore you with another diatribe against their design or the questionable process that resulted in the city being saddled with them in the first place. This one is in front of Carrot Common on Danforth and in addition to looking ugly, replaced a perfectly good post and ring bike rack, as seen by Google Street View.

Toronto-Montreal Bixi comparison [Globe & Mail]

Excellent Infographic from the Globe and Mail comparing the first year of Montreal’s Bixi bikesharing program with the first 6 months of Toronto’s Bixi. Toronto’s numbers are obviously lower due to the shortened time period, but are EXCELLENT considering we have one-fifth of Montreal’s Bixi bikes (1000 and 5000 bikes, respectively).

Trashy Bike Lane [The Urban Country]

To see how a bike lane might work on this street we gathered garbage and sticks and created a homemade bike lane. The painted bicycle symbols (or “sharrows”) were painted by an anonymous group/person shortly after Jenna’s death. We observed how cars and trucks drove with our “trash” bike lane present. Drivers seemed to stay clear of our faux bike lane when they drove through the intersection, including a large tractor-trailer whose rear wheels stayed clear of our bike lane.

Create annotated bike rides with Spotcycle mobile app [BlogTO]

The most recent update to the app, however, ups the ante significantly. Now instead of merely using it to track down BIXI bikes, you can plot out annotated bike rides with your favourite cultural sites, restaurants and assorted retail. Where Spotcycle was formerly only useful to BIXI members, this new feature set opens up the app to anyone who rides a bike. Using the the GPS capabilities of one’s phone — it’s available on all three of the major platforms — the app will create a live map as you ride, which you can categorize and annotate when you’re done.

[photo from Dodgeville]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Friday, Nov. 25, 2011

Joe T. — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:57:37 +0000

Bike Union / MEC Member Appreciation Night [Toronto Cyclists Union]

Join us for our Member Appreciation Night at Mountain Equipment Co-op on Thursday December 1^st from 7:00 – 9:00. Like last year, bike union members will receive 10% off everything in the store except boats. New this year, MEC has extended their 10% discount to bikes as well!

TCAT Turns Five and Gets a New Name [Toronto Centre for Active Transportation]

Since becoming a project of Clean Air Partnership, a registered charitable organization, TCAT has evolved from a grassroots advocacy group into a research and education organization. As a result, we are celebrating our fifth birthday by changing our name to the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation.

BIXI Toronto expands coverage by 50% [Dandyhorse Magazine]

BIXI Toronto has reached 3936 members after only 6 months of service and riders have made 372,417 trips. BIXI Toronto is also reporting that the average number of trips per day has seen little decrease even as outside temperatures continue to fall. Toronto’s bike-share system is up and running year around, the first system open all year in Canada.

[photo from Dandyhorse Magazine]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

Joe T. — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:49:39 +0000

A ghost bike for Jenna Morrison [The GridTO]

In the wake of this morning’s public memorial for Jenna Morrison—the cyclist killed last week—we chart the journey of her commemorative ghost bike from the Bike Pirates shop on Bloor to the site of her death at Dundas and Sterling.

Cycle of tragedy [NOW Magazine]

If the comprehensive bike lane network recommended in a 1998 coroner’s report (after a spate of cyclists’ deaths) had been built, not only would riders be safer, but we’d all be a lot further down the road, motorists especially, to accepting bikes and bike lanes as part of the transportation network. Instead, here we are more than a decade later about to embark on another coroner’s inquest into bike deaths, this time a province-wide one announced a couple of weeks back.

Cycling blindspot: how simple truck side panels can save lives [NOW Magazine]

Side guards are designed to stop just this type of accident. Two simple panels are fitted between a truck’s front and rear wheels, ensuring that in a collision, cyclists or pedestrians are thrown clear of the vehicle, not pulled under. Canadian transit authorities say side guards reduce pedestrian fatalities by 20 per cent, and a 1998 Toronto coroner’s report on cycling deaths recommended exploring the idea of making them mandatory.

[photo from NOW Magazine]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011

Joe T. — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:24:34 +0000

Cyclist’s death prompts call for mandatory truck side guards [The Star]

The NDP is calling for mandatory side guards on heavy trucks after the death of cyclist Jenna Morrison last week.

Toronto MP Olivia Chow, the opposition transport critic, will introduce a private member’s bill Monday that demands trucks be fitted with the guards that can prevent cyclists or pedestrians from being trapped between a truck’s wheels.

In the aftermath of tragedy, once more unto the breach [Globe and Mail]

John Barber discusses his 50 years of cycling in Toronto, and how, all of a sudden, people are saying “good for you!”. They better get used to it, says Barber, because as Toronto gets more congested and more populated, bikes will only be increasing in popularity.

Flickr Slideshow of Jenna Morrison Memorial Ride and Ghost Bike Installation [Flickr]

Great photos from the Toronto cyclist community on Flickr documenting the Memorial Ride and Ghost Bike installation after the tragic loss of Jenna Morrison.

How bikes and cars can peacefully coexist on the road [Globe and Mail]

The recent death of a cyclist in Toronto has reignited the hotly debated issue of how cars and bikes can coexist on busy streets. Jenna Morrison, an expectant mother and yoga teacher, was killed last Monday while riding to her son’s school. When it comes to sharing the road, “we all have a role to play,” says Yvonne Bambrick, an urban cycling consultant. This round-up of simple tips can help make the roads safer for drivers and cyclists.

Jenna Morrison’s Memorial Ride Draws Hundreds [Torontist]

Estimating turnouts at things like this is difficult to do and politically fraught, so let’s just say there were hundreds of cyclists—easily hundreds—at Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue this morning, there to ride in memory of Jenna Morrison, a cyclist killed one week ago today.

[photo from the Star]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Joe T. — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:31:48 +0000

The Fixer: Cycling campaign appeals to drivers’ better instincts [The Star]

Request to drivers: Please be more accepting of cyclists and consider them fellow travellers, instead of adversaries. That’s the idea behind “I Share the Road,” a campaign begun by cycling advocate and blogger James Schwartz, who hopes to foster a better relationship with drivers.

Morrison memorial service set for Monday [The Star]

A service to honour the life of Jenna Morrison will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at Bloor Street United Church, friends of the family announced Friday. Morrison was riding a bicycle when she was struck and killed by a truck last Monday morning while both were stopped at an intersection.

A bike ride into tragedy [The Star]

Excellent opinion article by Laura Robinson by the shocking lack of laws protecting those using roads (ie. public space) while not in cars. Cyclists and pedestrians are seemingly ignored by the lawmakers of all 3 levels of government.

[photo from the Star]

About the News Cycle

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

Joe T. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:25:03 +0000

Dead cyclist Jenna Morrison was a yoga teacher, dancer, mom

A heartbreaking profile of the cyclist tragically killed at Dundas West and Sterling Rd. on Monday.

Bike Union Launching Register/Report/Check Campaign [Bike Union]

“To combat bike theft, we’re launching the REGISTER/REPORT/CHECK campaign! The solution to reducing bike theft is to collapse the market for stolen bikes, making it harder for thieves to re-sell stolen bikes, and easier for the police to return stolen bikes to their owners.”

Four bad ideas for bikes [Spacing]

Spacing looks at four bad ideas regarding bikes in Toronto: Create bike-free streets, Make cyclists pay for roads, Licensing cyclists, Make it illegal to park anywhere but official bike parking.

[photo from the Star]

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).

The News Cycle for Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011

Joe T. — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:15:02 +0000

Cycling safely toward a better city [Toronto Star]

Mostly an article with Gil Penalosa of 8-80 Cities about what is needed to make Toronto a great cycling city (hint – it’s things other cities like NYC, London, Montreal and Vancouver are doing)

Bixi Toronto Newsletter – November 2011 [Bixi]

The November edition of Bixi Toronto’s newsletter is out and includes information about some Bixi Stations moving in preparation for winter, a VIA Rail discount to BIXI members, how to gives someone a BIXI for Christmas, and Bixi Statistics (including 300,000 trips taken so far)!

Derailed: A Bike Union Dance Party [Toronto Cyclists Union]

Get your groove on with the Toronto Cyclists Union. This Friday night is Derailed, a dance party at CSI Annex on Friday Nov 11! Doors at 9:00. Presentations until 10:00. Silent Auction, raffles and dancing all night long. Bike Union members get in free. Non-members = $5.

Cyclist killed in west Toro nto collision [CBC]

Toronto’s second cyclist has died in traffic this year after a truck hit a woman at Dundas West and Sterling Rd, which is where the West Toronto Railpath ends.

Bikelanes on Leslie? Let’s Make It Happen! Nov 9, 6pm

Let’s make Leslie St better for walking and cycling (to food stores, parks and the Spit)!!! The TTC is considering re-designs of Leslie Street between Queen St E and Lakeshore Blvd as you read this. Have your say: TTC designers will be presenting at a public meeting.

Wednesday, November 9
Open house: 6pm
Presentation + Q&A: 6:30-8:30
Toronto Fire Academy/EMS 895 Eastern Ave

[image from the Star]

The News Cycle is a periodic post which brings together links to news, events and other things which may be of interest to Toronto’s cyclists. If you have an item you would like to see in The News Cycle, please email it to me at joe[at]bikingtoronto.com

Subscribe to our RSS feed to get The News Cycle in your feed reader, or subscribe to our mailing list to get BikingToronto posts in your email (maximum 1 email per day).