Developments on the Toronto Cycling Scene
Two exciting new projects are about to see the light of day in the vibrant cycling movement in Toronto: the Toronto Cyclists Union (the bike union) and Toronto's new cycling magazine, to be launched this June 2008 - Dandyhorse: Toronto on Two Wheels.
Toronto Cyclists Union
The Toronto Cyclists Union is just emerging out of the womb. "On a beautiful evening in late September," reads their webpage, "under a full moon, the Toronto Cyclists Union was fertilized." Now, eight months later, the bike union is looking forward to a June launch. The member-driven bicycle advocacy group will join organizations such as the Toronto Bike Network and the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation, among others, in continuing to represent cyclists and strive for a more bike-friendly city, "providing a loud voice for all bicycle riders." The bike union describes itself as an organization that will "build our community into a strong, diverse, fun, and effective network of thousands of bike riders fighting for change."
Modelled after the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the union will represent self-propelled people and will improve riding conditions while "countering the message of automobile lobby groups." Its goal is to have bicycles taken seriously, and it hopes to include outlying portions of the city like Scarborough and North York in its program, promoting Greater Toronto as a "bicycle city." Members of the bike union will have access to a "fleet of human-powered, cargo-moving machines" for everything from moving houses to moving kids. The bike union is also "putting together a squad of all-star mechanics to fix flat tires across the city like superheroes." What could be better? Watch out for their May 20 media launch and for their public launch and movie night on May 29. For more info, check out www.bikeunion.to.
Dandyhorse: Toronto on Two Wheels is getting tuned up for spring
Dandyhorse: Toronto on Two Wheels, so named after the 1818 bicycle that preceded the bone shaker, is set to launch in June 2008 and will be a “48-page celebration of cycling in Toronto.” Catering to a “renaissance of two-wheeled travel” in the city, the magazine will cater to all types of urban riders, from commuters to racers and couriers, and will cover topics such as biking news, style, innovation, history, and advocacy. With Dave Meslin at the helm as Publisher, Tammy Thorne as Managing Editor, Claudia Calabro as Contributor’s Coordinator and Warren Wheeler as Art Director, the upcoming magazine is in good hands and promises to be distributed in every neighbourhood in the city. To see a sneak preview, visit www.dandyhorse.ca.
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