Live Green Toronto Community Animator Training July 14 th, 2009 Cycling 101: The growth of Toronto’s cycling culture & the importance of community engagement.

Live Green Toronto Community Animator Training

July 14th, 2009

Cycling 101: The growth of Toronto’s cycling culture & the importance of community engagement in cycling issues

Presented by, Allyson Amster, Bikechain &

Yvonne Bambrick, Toronto Cyclists Union

Launched in May 2008, the Toronto Cyclists Union provides a strong, unified voice for Toronto cyclists. We are the first city-wide, membership-based cycling advocacy organisation. bringing together cyclists from all across Toronto. When cyclists like you join the bike union, you help strengthen our collective voice.

We work together with all stakeholders: citizens, community groups, bike shops, the police, the taxi industry and the City towards the common goals of ensuring that cycling is a legitimate, accessible, and safe means of transportation.

The city has an excellent bike plan, yet the pace at which it has been rolled out is unacceptable. The chain fell off, and we sense a shift in gears. We want to help.

About the Toronto Cyclists Union

Bikechain is a student-run bicycle promotion and repair facility on campus.

Bikechain was founded in 2004 to address climate change by promotingsustainable transportation. Recognizing that safety and lack of cycling infrastructure create barriers to cycling, Bikechain empowers students, staff and faculty to adopt bicycling as an alternative transportation mode.

Built on a philosophy committed to the active involvement of our community, thefacility provides the University of Toronto a hands-on educational bicycle repair shop, free bicycle rentals and free bicycle repair and maintenance seminars.

Bikechain is now the cycling resource centre on campus. We provide advice to building managers and faculty. We also connect departments and faculty to one another and to city-wide initiatives.

Why Strong Cycling Communities?Some barriers that keep people away from cycling are legitimate, and can only be fixed by infrastructure improvements (safety).

Others are social fabrications.• They think it’s impossibly dangerous• They think it takes too long or is too far• They are socially conscious• They think they are too out of shape to ride• It simply does not cross their mind

Good marketing can help address false concerns people have about cycling.

There is also good evidence that a larger population of cyclists on the road increases roadway safety.

Create a presence to influence decision-makers

What’s Happening in TOToronto Cyclists Union

Year 1:- Executive Director - Consistent Positive Voice - Toronto Bike Awards- West End Bikeways initiative- Bike Lanes on Annette &

Jarvis- Valet Bike Parking service- The voice of cyclists in local

media- Ward Advocacy Program - Newcomer cycling outreach

The year(s) ahead:-Complete and ongoing implementation of Toronto Bike Plan (and beyond)-Ward Advocacy continued-North York Bikeways initiative-Adoption of Complete Streets policy-‘Pothole Patrol’-Physically separated bike lanes on Lawrence Ave. -Ontario Driver’s Handbook

What’s Happening in TOother community based organizations

• Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT):umbrella organisation focused on cycling & walking issues http://torontocat.ca

• Bells On Bloor: Annual pedal-powered parade advocating for bike lanes on Bloor St. http://www.bellsonbloor.ca/

• Community Bicycle Network: bike repair education, bike & trailer rentals http://communitybicyclenetwork.org

• Bike Pirates: DIY bike repair & refurbished bike sales http://bikepirates.com/

• Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists: education, legal advice, direct action http://respect.to

• Bikes and Transit: Promoting "inter-modal" local cycling tourism http://bikesandtransit.com/

More links… http://bikeunion.to/cycling/communitylinks

What’s Happening in TOThe City

• BUG– Find an existing one– Start your own

• Can-Bike • Events Calendar• Bike Month• Coldest Day of the

Year Ride

City of Toronto Cycling Events Calendar Cycle

Decision-makerswho you need to reach

• The Toronto Cyclists Union is a great place to start – we are your connection to decision makers

Community level: • Residents Associations

(Google search: Residents Associations Toronto)

• Business Improvement Areas

City level:• Local Councillors• City of Toronto Staff

Transportation/Cycling

How to engage your community There are many ways to increase cyclists presence in your community – in fact, once you start thinking about it, you’ll notice just how many cyclists there already are!

People are more likely to get involved if they’re having fun. Getting together at a local café and/or for a bike ride is the perfect way to get some momentum.

How to get started?

1st: Talk with your cycling friends & neighbours and form a group 2nd: Get the word out about your first group discussion/meeting

3rd: Decide on what type of group you want to be and set some achievable goals to get you started

Tools to engage your community

developing a strategyYou’ve started your group…now what?1) Evaluate your goals amongst existing initiatives: are there potential

partners? Lessons to learn from?

2) Outreach: flyers vs. canvassing vs. online methods – which is right for you?

3) Determine your campaign targets: residents, businesses, government – local, provincial or federal, schools, etc. IT IS PROBABLY SOME OR ALL

4) Methods to reach your targets: tabling, flyering, attending city meetings, educational workshops, community meetings, contact with media, work directly with elected officials and Toronto Cyclists Union, etc.

5) Measuring success: Building accountability into your plan

Thank you

• Christina Bouchard, City of Toronto• Alliance for Biking and Walking:

http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/• Beth Jones & Colleen Diamond

EXERCISEDetermining the targets of your initiative