Monday, 23 November 2009
Bicycling in Toronto, Nov.24th TorontotheBetter movie - QUESTIONS and IDEAS
- What new uses for bikes and biking in Toronto do you recommend?
- How can we make Toronto workplaces more bike-friendly?
AND PLEASE post any other questions/suggestions you have about
biking for a Better Toronto.suggestioo
- How can we make Toronto workplaces more bike-friendly?
AND PLEASE post any other questions/suggestions you have about
biking for a Better Toronto.suggestioo
Labels: Bikes, biking, Toronto
Monday, 26 October 2009
Toronto Cyclists Union Fundraiser; 28 October 2009
Everyone's probably already been invited to the Toronto Cyclists Union's Cocktail and Masquerade Fundraiser, but just in case, here are the details:
Toronto Cyclists Union Fundraiser: Cocktail and Masquerade
Oct. 28th, 6pm @ Steamwhistle’s Roundhouse ** 2 part event - Reception & Party**
Please join us for this very special evening. Together we are building a bike-friendly Toronto.
The evening will include:
* Special Intimate Performances by top Canadian entertainers Molly Johnson (http://mollyjohnson.com) & Coco Love Alcorn (http://www.cocolovealcorn.com)
* Silent auction 6-9, raffle 9-12 featuring great bikes, great items from businesses in Southern Ontario, and other bikephenalia
* Open bar 6-9, delectable finger foods and fine Canadian beer, wine and spirits
* Bike expo featuring Toronto’s top bike shops showcasing the latest and greatest in 2010 cycling technology
* Oyster Bar at 7pm with Celebrity Shucker, David Donnelly, of Donnelly LPC
If there was ever a time to get behind our city's most dedicated, and high profile cycling advocates, it's now. Thanks in large part to the Toronto Cyclists Union, our city's first member-based cycling advocacy organisation, cycling issues are now most definitely on the map in Toronto. If you've ever cared about improving conditions for cyclists in this city, and about getting bikes meaningfully incorporated into our transportation system, now is the time to show support for the first group with real traction. Whether or not you have joined yet as a member, we represent your interests as a cyclist. We have some real momentum, but we need your help to keep it going.
Brought to you by:
The Toronto Cyclists Union - the face of the new, and much needed, bike advocacy in Toronto – the voice of optimism and pragmatism, of a common effort to work toward a more harmonious and efficient way to move our city. We are growing but we need you to be a part of that growth. All funds raised will go directly towards maintaining the ongoing operational and project costs of our still nascent, but already well respected organisation - one that has finally filled the gap in cycling advocacy in Toronto.
Oct. 28th @ Steamwhistle’s Roundhouse
* 6 to 9pm - Masquerade Cocktail Reception: Special Guests (musical & political), Open bar, Cocktail Catering & Silent Auction - $100 single, $150 couple
* 9pm to 12am - Masquerade 'Bike Love' Party: Live Music, DJs for dancing, Cash bar and Raffle - $25 single, $40 couple
** Buy tickets here: https://bikeunion.to/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1
Please consider purchasing tickets, or making a contribution, even if you are unable to attend.
Message from Executive Director, Yvonne Bambrick - http://www.youtube.com/v/bQ513765R8A
Supporters: Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, Sweet Pete’s, Steamwhistle, Opus, Specialized, Donnelly LPC, Spacing, Positive Change, Bikes Without Borders, Urbane, and more...
Toronto Cyclists Union Fundraiser: Cocktail and Masquerade
Oct. 28th, 6pm @ Steamwhistle’s Roundhouse ** 2 part event - Reception & Party**
Please join us for this very special evening. Together we are building a bike-friendly Toronto.
The evening will include:
* Special Intimate Performances by top Canadian entertainers Molly Johnson (http://mollyjohnson.com) & Coco Love Alcorn (http://www.cocolovealcorn.com)
* Silent auction 6-9, raffle 9-12 featuring great bikes, great items from businesses in Southern Ontario, and other bikephenalia
* Open bar 6-9, delectable finger foods and fine Canadian beer, wine and spirits
* Bike expo featuring Toronto’s top bike shops showcasing the latest and greatest in 2010 cycling technology
* Oyster Bar at 7pm with Celebrity Shucker, David Donnelly, of Donnelly LPC
If there was ever a time to get behind our city's most dedicated, and high profile cycling advocates, it's now. Thanks in large part to the Toronto Cyclists Union, our city's first member-based cycling advocacy organisation, cycling issues are now most definitely on the map in Toronto. If you've ever cared about improving conditions for cyclists in this city, and about getting bikes meaningfully incorporated into our transportation system, now is the time to show support for the first group with real traction. Whether or not you have joined yet as a member, we represent your interests as a cyclist. We have some real momentum, but we need your help to keep it going.
Brought to you by:
The Toronto Cyclists Union - the face of the new, and much needed, bike advocacy in Toronto – the voice of optimism and pragmatism, of a common effort to work toward a more harmonious and efficient way to move our city. We are growing but we need you to be a part of that growth. All funds raised will go directly towards maintaining the ongoing operational and project costs of our still nascent, but already well respected organisation - one that has finally filled the gap in cycling advocacy in Toronto.
Oct. 28th @ Steamwhistle’s Roundhouse
* 6 to 9pm - Masquerade Cocktail Reception: Special Guests (musical & political), Open bar, Cocktail Catering & Silent Auction - $100 single, $150 couple
* 9pm to 12am - Masquerade 'Bike Love' Party: Live Music, DJs for dancing, Cash bar and Raffle - $25 single, $40 couple
** Buy tickets here: https://bikeunion.to/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1
Please consider purchasing tickets, or making a contribution, even if you are unable to attend.
Message from Executive Director, Yvonne Bambrick - http://www.youtube.com/v/bQ513765R8A
Supporters: Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, Sweet Pete’s, Steamwhistle, Opus, Specialized, Donnelly LPC, Spacing, Positive Change, Bikes Without Borders, Urbane, and more...
Labels: biking, Toronto Cyclists Union
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Interesting Toronto Star articles: Janitorial Working Conditions and Training Jobless as Bike Mechanics
Two pieces of interest from the February 2nd, 2009 Toronto Star:
In Carol Goar's opion piece, You can help cleaners earn decent wages, she notes that:
"Cleaners don't work for the banks, investment houses, law firms and advertising agencies that do business downtown. Most are employed by independent janitorial firms, which compete fiercely for contracts awarded by the commercial real estate chains that own and manage these buildings.
To win a contract, a cleaning company has to submit a low bid. That means hiring cheap labour.
For decades, the commercial real estate industry seemed impervious to the tug of social conscience. Calls to adopt fair wage policies went unheeded.
But lately, there have been some promising glimmers.
...Three property management companies in Canada have voluntarily raised their standards.
Bentall LP, the country's largest commercial landlord, recently adopted a responsible contracting policy, the first in Canada. Concert Properties, a Vancouver-based firm, will only consider bids from contractors who employ unionized workers. And Great West Life Reality Advisors, who manage 283 commercial properties, review the professional conduct of their contractors regularly."
-----
And in Wheels turning to train jobless as bike mechanics, Paola Loriggio reports that:
"Toronto has Bike Month and Bike Winter, but what it doesn't have is bike mechanics – or, at least, not enough of them, according to those in the business.
...
A new project aims to fill that gap. The Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance Program will train out-of-work youths to fix and assemble all kinds of bikes so they can tap into a rising market, organizers say.
Many "will walk right into a job," says a project organizer, Rob White, sales vice-president at Outdoor Gear Canada. He estimates there are openings for 50 to 100 bike mechanics each year in the GTA.
The free eight-week program starts Feb. 17 and includes a two-week placement in bike shops such as Sweet Pete's and Duke's Cycle. The shops helped fund the project, a joint venture between the Learning Enrichment Foundation and the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, of which Lilly is president."
In Carol Goar's opion piece, You can help cleaners earn decent wages, she notes that:
"Cleaners don't work for the banks, investment houses, law firms and advertising agencies that do business downtown. Most are employed by independent janitorial firms, which compete fiercely for contracts awarded by the commercial real estate chains that own and manage these buildings.
To win a contract, a cleaning company has to submit a low bid. That means hiring cheap labour.
For decades, the commercial real estate industry seemed impervious to the tug of social conscience. Calls to adopt fair wage policies went unheeded.
But lately, there have been some promising glimmers.
...Three property management companies in Canada have voluntarily raised their standards.
Bentall LP, the country's largest commercial landlord, recently adopted a responsible contracting policy, the first in Canada. Concert Properties, a Vancouver-based firm, will only consider bids from contractors who employ unionized workers. And Great West Life Reality Advisors, who manage 283 commercial properties, review the professional conduct of their contractors regularly."
-----
And in Wheels turning to train jobless as bike mechanics, Paola Loriggio reports that:
"Toronto has Bike Month and Bike Winter, but what it doesn't have is bike mechanics – or, at least, not enough of them, according to those in the business.
...
A new project aims to fill that gap. The Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance Program will train out-of-work youths to fix and assemble all kinds of bikes so they can tap into a rising market, organizers say.
Many "will walk right into a job," says a project organizer, Rob White, sales vice-president at Outdoor Gear Canada. He estimates there are openings for 50 to 100 bike mechanics each year in the GTA.
The free eight-week program starts Feb. 17 and includes a two-week placement in bike shops such as Sweet Pete's and Duke's Cycle. The shops helped fund the project, a joint venture between the Learning Enrichment Foundation and the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, of which Lilly is president."
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Ride of Silence to mourn cyclists killed by motorists
A world-wide event, the Ride of Silence is happening this Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 7 PM:
"Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways."
Meet at the southest corner of Bloor and Spadina. Wear a black armband, red if you've been in a car/bike accident.
See the bottom of the Canada locations page for more details and the I Bike TO post for more background.
"Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways."
Meet at the southest corner of Bloor and Spadina. Wear a black armband, red if you've been in a car/bike accident.
See the bottom of the Canada locations page for more details and the I Bike TO post for more background.
Labels: biking, Ride of Silence
