[raisethehammer]

I can't believe there is no thread for the greatest ever invention in personal transport - the bicycle.

Well, there is now. :)

To start things off, some absolutely sweet bike racks in Toronto.
Let's get these bad boys in Hamilton!
Anyone know someone in that cycling committee??

http://www.jamesstreetnorth.ca/blog/?p=207

[1ajs]

i love my bycle :D anyhow
2CTPLUcQAjk

[SteelTown]

Park your bike downtown, worry-free

June 05, 2008
The Hamilton Spectator

Commuters now have a safe haven from bike thieves.

The city will unveil Hamilton's first secure bicycle parking facility downtown today.

The lot, which can hold 40 bikes, was paid for by funding from Metrolinx. The facility is on the first floor of the York Boulevard parkade. Users must buy a $40 permit.

A second bicycle lot is in the works for the Convention Centre. It is expected to open by late summer.

Metrolinx has given $160,000 to Hamilton for bike-related initiatives, including bike racks on all city buses.

The new facility will open today at noon following a short event as part of Commuter Challenge week.

Tomorrow is national ride your bike to work day. For more information on the week's biking events visit commuterchallenge.ca

[raisethehammer]

I saw this last weekend at the parkade. I wasn't sure what it was...looks more like a maintenance storage cage.
At any rate, good news. I know I can't get ahead of myself and expect top notch bike facilities like you see in Europe. The fact that we're getting two (even if they look like maintenance cages) is a good step forward.

[SteelTown]

They are the same at McMaster. A grey box with a lock.

[FairHamilton]

A good start, though I'm a little disappointed in the price point. I think that will be a big limiter to wide scale adoption.

Perhaps it will appeal more to people riding to work during the week then someone like me who would mostly ride to the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. At a cost of $40 x 2 for securing our bikes, my wife and I may as well stick with our HSR passes........ :(

[SteelTown]

I think these bike storage is more for people that work in the downtown core (more specifically City Centre and City Hall) that commute by bike.

[rousseau]

The lot, which can hold 40 bikes, was paid for by funding from Metrolinx. The facility is on the first floor of the York Boulevard parkade. Users must buy a $40 permit.
As a bike lover, this sounds like a promising start, anyway. Is that an annual permit?

Would anyone be willing to swing by and take a photo or two of the facility for the benefit of ex-Hamiltonians like me?

[FairHamilton]

I think these bike storage is more for people that work in the downtown core (more specifically City Centre and City Hall) that commute by bike.

Yes, I agree. Unfortunately that means the bike storage will sit empty weekends when all the recreational riders are on the streets.

It's not going to promote people coming downtown by bike for recreational pursuits, i.e. Farmer's Market, lunch at a cafe, shopping, etc., and that's a crime.

[Gurnett71]

Another press release: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2008/05/c8832.html

Cycling to Downtown Hamilton just got easier
City of Hamilton and Metrolinx open the city's first secure bicycle
parking facility

HAMILTON, ON, June 5 /CNW/ - As part of an ongoing commitment to promote
sustainable transportation options in Hamilton, the Public Works Department,
together with Metrolinx, officially opened Hamilton's first secure bicycle
parking facility today. Mayor Eisenberger, Councillors Bratina and McHattie,
Public Works General Manager Scott Stewart and representatives from the SmartCommute Initiative were joined by City staff and cycling enthusiasts at the event today.
The 12-foot by 20-foot lot located on the first floor of the York
Boulevard parkade downtown can accommodate over 40 bicycles and provides a safe and convenient facility for cycling commuters to store their bikes.
Opening this new bicycle parking facility is a great step in the right
direction for a cleaner and greener Hamilton," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
"It is another way to encourage Hamiltonians to make transportation choices
that are sustainable and healthy. I'm confident this new facility will be used
and enjoyed by many of our own City staff, as well as other downtown
businesses, Farmer's Market and Central Public Library customers."
A second bicycle parking facility is being planned for the Convention
Centre parking lot. It is expected to be open for public use by late summer
2008. Based on a preliminary review of land uses and cycling infrastructure,
it is anticipated that other secure bike parking facilities will be most
beneficial at transit hubs, shopping centres, educational facilities and
employment centres.
"We've been proactive in promoting sustainable transportation options in
Hamilton by installing bicycle racks on all our buses, enhancing and expanding
bicycle lanes on city streets, purchasing new hybrid buses to add to our
growing transit fleet and actively exploring rapid transit options for
Hamilton," said Scott Stewart, General Manager of Hamilton's Public Works
Department. "We've been very fortunate to have received funding from Metrolinx
to help bring these sustainable ideas to reality."
The City of Hamilton received over $160,000 in funding from Metrolinx to
be used to provide secure bicycle parking as part of the Metrolinx Bikelinx
program. Other Metrolinx funding dollars were used to install more bicycle
racks on city buses.
"At Metrolinx, we believe that active transportation is the most
sustainable way to get around," said Chair Rob MacIsaac. "By getting more
people to cycle, we are promoting a cleaner environment, a healthier
population, and more efficient use of expensive public infrastructure."
The new parking facility is now open for public use. Permits can be
purchased for $40 for the remainder of 2008. Cyclists can purchase a permit by calling 905-546-2424, ext. 1473.
The new facility appropriately opens to the public during National
Commuter Challenge week, just in time for National 'Bike to Work Day'
tomorrow.

[flar]

They could really encourage cycling if you could just give the parking attendant a loonie to park your bike whenever you want without having to call and buy a permit.

[FairHamilton]

They could really encourage cycling if you could just give the parking attendant a loonie to park your bike whenever you want without having to call and buy a permit.

Great idea. And you wouldn't have to wait for the permit to arrive in the mail.

That would open the system to many more occasional, and recreational bicyclists, especially on weekends when I expect the lot will be pretty much empty for much of the day.

One thing I haven't seen is any mention of the hours of operation.

[SteelTown]

One thing I haven't seen is any mention of the hours of operation.

Use it whenever, it’s like a storage locker at recreational centres. You get a key and that's it. There's no person patrolling it.

[FairHamilton]

Use it whenever, it’s like a storage locker at recreational centres. You get a key and that's it. There's no person patrolling it.

So let me make sure I understand correctly, it's just a fenced locked area that anyone with $40 gets a key?

I'm going to have to check this thing out myself. I just can't seem to visualize it properly.

[SteelTown]

I think I have a picture of the bike storage somewhere on my computer.

Just picture a grey plastic box that has a key slot. You roll your bike inside and lock the door.

[block43]

I think I have a picture of the bike storage somewhere on my computer.

Just picture a grey plastic box that has a key slot. You roll your bike inside and lock the door.

This one is different....looks more like a chainlink cage.

[raisethehammer]

yea, like an old WWF cagematch.

[SteelTown]

The bike storage was on CH News. It's a cage and you hang your bike up from the front wheel. They should build one of these at the GO Station as well. Once the new downtown transit terminal is built they should do the same.

[matt602]

There's already a ton of bike lock things at the GO station under video surveillance that don't really seem to get used too often.

[FairHamilton]

Yeah, from the article I was picturing a caged area. What I am struggling to visualize is how it will be secured.

SteelTown,

I know the ones you are talking about they have them at Metro Hall in Toronto.

[oldcoote]

Another press release: [url]
The new parking facility is now open for public use. Permits can be
purchased for $40 for the remainder of 2008. Cyclists can purchase a permit by calling 905-546-2424, ext. 1473.
The new facility appropriately opens to the public during National
Commuter Challenge week, just in time for National 'Bike to Work Day'
tomorrow.

Well, I rode my bike downtown this morning, and I'm still sweating. They couldn't have picked a hotter day for this challenge.

Anyway, I didn't use the bike locker, so I can't report on that. I work in a bike and dog friendly building. :tup:

[SteelTown]

I saw the cutest thing ever this morning on Aberdeen Ave. A guy was riding his bike with a little pooch sitting on the front basket with his face forward sniffing away well his ears were flapping back.

[raisethehammer]

wohoo!!! just stepped out front and a city crew is spray-painting bike lanes on York Blvd, just east of Strathcona. I wonder how far they are going???
probably just to that stupid sign on Locke indicating that 'shared lane ends'. The lanes are wide enough to take the lane right to Bay St immediately and then hopefully further east later.
3 years from now maybe they'll extend them to Bay. haha.

[highwater]

I saw the cutest thing ever this morning on Aberdeen Ave. A guy was riding his bike with a little pooch sitting on the front basket with his face forward sniffing away well his ears were flapping back.

I used to ride with my *big* pooch in a bike trailer with her head sticking out. Always got lots of laughs.

[SteelTown]

Crate keeps bike off bus rack
Cyclist shocked, but HSR stands by driver

June 10, 2008
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator

Robert Wilson says he's travelled more than 3,200 kilometres on his bike with his milk crate carrier strapped to the back and it has never come off.

That's part of the reason Wilson was so shocked last week when he was told he could not use a bike rack on a city bus until the carrier was removed.

"If it hasn't fallen off in 2,000 miles, how do you figure it's going to fall off the bus in three blocks?" he questioned.

The 50-year-old cyclist had just gone for a long ride when he decided to grab the Aberdeen bus Friday afternoon. It was then the driver told him the rack would have to come off. Wilson decided to catch a cab home instead.

"For the city to install bike racks on buses, then deny people the right to use them, it's flagrantly wrong," he said.

The HSR says Wilson became irate and left before being presented with alternatives by the bus driver.

Drivers do have the discretion to decide whether bikes with large carriers or obstructing accessories will be allowed onto the rack.

Don Hull, director of transit for the city, said this is the first instance the city has dealt with in which someone was not allowed to use a rack because of a container an operator felt was unsafe. The racks have been on city buses a year.

"In this case, we support the position of the operator ... that it's not properly affixed to the bike and the operator felt that it wasn't safe," Hull said.

The bus driver had a concern about the crate, which was carrying things, being fastened with bungee cords, Hull said.

The cords only hold things on the crate, Wilson said. The crate is fastened to a carrier on a metal frame, bolted to the bike, with plastic straps used in the automotive industry, he said.

Hull said that as the city gains more experience with the racks, the policy may be revisited. That could include defining what constitutes a large carrier.

"We want our policies to be as clear as they possibly can be so that these incidents don't happen."

Hull said that, for the foreseeable future, discretion will remain with the driver.

[FairHamilton]

^Yeah, I'm with the driver on this one. If something happened that caused accident, injury or damage, it would be the drivers fault.

It shouldn't be up to the driver to examine non-standard attachments and make a determination if they are safe, or not. A driver isn't trained to have that sort of knowledge, or expertise.

[matt602]

Also with the driver for reasons already pointed out. It's not a risk the driver nor his employer can take.

[raisethehammer]

It looks like a big year for bicycles
1

High gas prices accelerate change
July 04, 2008
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 4, 2008)
It's a two-wheel twist on park 'n' ride when Al Fletcher and his wife drop off their kids at a southwest Mountain day care and go to work for the City of Hamilton.

They park the family van, with a bike rack attached, at the day care in the morning. Jill takes her bike off and rides downtown. Al rides, too. When he picks up the kids, he puts his bike on the rack.

And then drives home.

"I have turned in my parking pass for City Hall," the manager of zoning bylaw reform says as he dons his helmet and unlocks his mountain bike from the new secure bike lock-up in the York Boulevard parkade across from the Farmers' Market.

"Yesterday I had to fill up my car," Fletcher said. "I drive a little Mazda and it was $66 to fill it up. It's starting to make a difference. You adjust your habits."

He rides from home at Garth and Mohawk two or three days a week.

Fletcher is among the Hamiltonians insulating themselves from $1.35 per litre gas prices. Bike shops are reporting new customers and new models arriving each day.

And the city continues to invest in cycling-related infrastructure, at a time when two wheels certainly beat four at the pump.

Today, new bike lanes will open up a portion of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail along North Service Road, Stoney Creek.

Politicians, cyclists and others will meet at Millen Road north of the QEW at 2 p.m. for the 12-kilometre addition of on-street bike lanes. Hamilton will now have more than 100 kilometres of bike lanes.

Daryl Bender, city project manager for alternative transportation (which includes cycling), said that with new bike lockups, work on a cycling link over the 403 via a CP Rail trail, and a new cycling master plan in the works, it's a big year for bikes.

He said the city is even working with employers to get things like workplace bike storage areas, workplace showers and lockers in place. It's not mandated, but it's moving along nicely, he said.

Hamilton's Transportation Master Plan aims to see a 20 per cent reduction in one-person car trips by 2031.

Statistics Canada reports that the years 1996-2006 saw a 40 per cent rise in the share of Hamilton workers commuting by bike. About 2,905 locals did so in 2006.

A few trends are converging in 2008 to make it a good year for bikes: high gas prices, a provincial tax break on some bikes and the introduction of new commuter bikes aimed at the cyclist who has to get to work or ride on errands.

"We are definitely selling more bikes with bike racks, more hybrid-style bikes that are good for commuting," said Elaine Pierik of Pieriks Cycle in Westdale.

For new buyers, it's part of a wave of new models with easier shifting, softer saddles and a more upright position that can turn a fitness tool into a practical way to get around.

The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada reports that bike commuting is growing, led by workers under 35 in large cities, especially Montreal and Vancouver. BTAC says the number of bikes sold in Canada in first-quarter 2008 is up 6 per cent over the same period in 2007.

Zoning Reform?? Now, THESE are the types I want to see getting onto bikes and buses in this city. Great news!

[thistleclub]

Zoning By-Law Reform (http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/CityDepartments/PlanningEcDev/Development/ZoningBy-law/index.htm). Still, good sign. Especially if he's still at it in autumn.

National Post - Bike sales soar as drivers trade four wheels for two (http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=628513)
"The number of Canadians bicycling to work jumped by 20% between 2001 and 2006, according to Statistics Canada, which pegs the figure at 195,500, or about 1.3% of the total commuting population."

[thistleclub]

City of Hamilton:

New bike lanes on North Service Road brings inventory to over 100km

HAMILTON, ON. - July 4, 2008 - As part of a commitment to providing sustainable transportation options in Hamilton, the City of Hamilton's Public Works Department officially opened new bicycle lanes on the North Service Road in Stoney Creek today. The event took place as part of the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure ride that drew cyclists through Hamilton today. Councillors Maria Pearson and Bob Bratina were in attendance at the event today, as well as representatives from the Public Works Department, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and the Hamilton Cycling Committee.

"This is another step forward to enhancing Hamilton's extensive cycling bike and trails system," said Daryl Bender, Project Manager of
Alternative Transportation in the Public Works Department. "This 12-kilometre addition brings our inventory of on-street bike lanes to
more than 100 kilometres."

The new North Service Road bike lanes run through Wards 10 and 11 in Stoney Creek and are a combination of dedicated bike lanes/shoulders, signed on-street routes, and a small section of multi-use path. The route will follow local residential streets and use some existing multi-use paths where available. Much of the route is provided by newly paved dedicated bike lanes constructed through a combination of City initiatives and development related projects.

Also included with this project is the installation of signage that identifies "Windows to the Lake" locations to highlight areas along the
shoreline with lake views and public access. The route links Confederation Park to Fifty Point Conservation Area and provides a missing segment within the 780 kilometre Waterfront trail system that runs from Niagara-On-The-Lake to the St. Lawrence River in Quebec.

"The opening of these bike lanes demonstrates the future for this city - multimodal transportation, a cleaner environment and a healthier
community," said Scott Stewart, General Manager of Hamilton's Public Works Department.

[thistleclub]

Elsewhere... (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/city-will-explore-bike-sharing-program/)

One year after a nonprofit group hosted a five-day bicycle-sharing experiment, the New York City Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday that it was considering creating such a program on a permanent basis.

“If feasible and adopted, such a program would create a network of publicly accessible bicycles at minimal cost, and could provide an important transportation link at transit hubs and commercial and social areas ­greatly increasing mobility citywide,” the department said in a news release.

[coalminecanary]

a very cynical "news report" on allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs...
http://cbs5.com/video/?id=35500@kpix.dayport.com

[thistleclub]

Independent UK: Thieves ride off with 3,000 of Paris's free bicycles (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/thieves-ride-off-with-3000-of-pariss-free-bicycles-868726.html)

The self-service, Parisian bike-for-hire – the vélib' – was intended mostly for short rides when it was introduced 12 months ago.

More than 3,000 of the sturdy grey bicycles have gone missing since then. Some have turned up as far away as Romania and, according to one report, Australia. Another 3,000 have been deliberately destroyed or damaged. But the 16,000 bikes in circulation have proved extremely popular. The idea – a cheap, computerised system of self-service bicycles in racks on almost every street corner – has been exported to countries across the world, including Austria and Spain, with plans for a similar system in Finland, Australia and the United States.

The Parisian service will shortly be expanded into the city's suburbs. The Mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, also hopes to extend the concept within a couple of years to self-service, electric cars, which will encourage commuters and Parisians to dump their own exhaust-emitting run-abouts.

In the space of one year the vélib' has become a Parisian institution, giving the streets and boulevards of the French capital a vague air of Amsterdam or Cambridge. M. Delanoë plans to celebrate his success by inviting 365 vélib users – or vélibeurs – to take part in an older, two-wheeled, French institution, the Tour de France. Vélibeurs, chosen at random from the 27,000 long-term subscribers, will be invited to cycle part of the course of the final day of the race just before the professional riders reach Paris on Sunday week.

[bornagainbiking]

Now that the rain and lightning has stopped it is safe to ride. Two weeks ago in a storm shaved 5 minutes off my ride home.
This city has some really good bike routes, maybe just slightly longer as a direct route but you don't need eyes in the back of your head.
So for a rough idea of time from Lawrence Rd/Rosedale to HGH approx. 20 mins. Lawrence is a designated bike way with marked shoulders, to Cumberland at Gage to Stinson to Hunter at Wellington and straight down Ferguson to Barton. Or if you are going to the downtwon just follow Hunter to the Go Station.
Funny I see more 30+ plus types on the road. No younger crowd yet.
I have a truck but hate to pay for parking, find a free spot or cry at the pump with an $80 fill up. Now a tank lasts a month.
So there is a bike route from Nash and King to the downtown just use Lawrence. It is nice without all the exhaust.

[adam]

Check out http://www.bikely.com
Users map out their routes - either commuter, training, or leisure, etc. You can hover over the map at key points along the way and find out safety issues, any notable things, etc

[FairHamilton]

Now that the rain and lightning has stopped it is safe to ride. Two weeks ago in a storm shaved 5 minutes off my ride home.
This city has some really good bike routes, maybe just slightly longer as a direct route but you don't need eyes in the back of your head.
So for a rough idea of time from Lawrence Rd/Rosedale to HGH approx. 20 mins. Lawrence is a designated bike way with marked shoulders, to Cumberland at Gage to Stinson to Hunter at Wellington and straight down Ferguson to Barton. Or if you are going to the downtwon just follow Hunter to the Go Station.
Funny I see more 30+ plus types on the road. No younger crowd yet.
I have a truck but hate to pay for parking, find a free spot or cry at the pump with an $80 fill up. Now a tank lasts a month.
So there is a bike route from Nash and King to the downtown just use Lawrence. It is nice without all the exhaust.

I like riding Lawrence, not too much traffic, only a couple of stop lights, and the dedicated bike lane. We took it on Sunday when we rode over to Lowes. I'm sure they aren't used to seeing too many people carrying a bike helmet in Lowes, lol.

I really wish we had a few other good lengths of road with dedicated bike lanes.

[holymoly]

Check out http://www.bikely.com
Users map out their routes - either commuter, training, or leisure, etc. You can hover over the map at key points along the way and find out safety issues, any notable things, etc
That's a cool site. Thanks, adam.

[SteelTown]

City eyes new cycling master plan

October 02, 2008
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

Hamilton is about to update the "modest" 1999 Shifting Gears plan for cycling in the city, to inject new life on two wheels.

Daryl Bender, city project manager handling cycling, said the months ahead will collect public input on how to improve routes, signage, promotion and more.

"Shifting Gears is modest by today's standards," said Bender. "The past 10 years have seen a big increase in the interest paid to active transportation." The sessions for input are not yet scheduled.

The new cycling master plan, to be done by spring, grows out of studies such as the 2007 Transportation Master Plan and 2006 West Hamilton Bicycle Network Review.

The Transportation Master Plan's near-term goal was to make bikes a choice for 10 per cent of trips (from 6 per cent currently); long term, the goal is 15 per cent, with better routes, shorter home/work distances, education and better urban planning.

Bender said the new plan will also satisfy some environmental assessment rules for a list of projects, so they don't spend years each in separate assessment processes.

Coming soon, Bender says, are improvements at Aberdeen and Longwood, King from Nash to Centennial, and the trickier CP Rail-Main Street West connection, where the city is about to submit an offer to purchase so it can negotiate cyclists across the 403 rail bridge.

It comes as regional transportation agency Metrolinx is also plotting an ambitious course for the future of Toronto and Hamilton.

In the region, Metrolinx estimates 17 per cent of all trips are walkable (less than two kilometres) and 40 per cent are bikable (less than five kilometres). But walking and cycling make up just 5 per cent of work trips and 32 per cent of school trips in the region.

Fifteen years into the Metrolinx transportation plan, the agency plans to invest up to $300 million in new walking and cycling infrastructure in the region, creating up to 4,500 kilometres of dedicated on- and off-road facilities.

From 16 to 25 years from now, a further $200 million will be invested in walking and cycling for an additional 3,000 kilometres.

Jill Stephen, city manager of strategic planning, said Metrolinx already sent $190,000 to Hamilton for bike racks on buses and secure storage at the York Boulevard parkade.She said the city will study its nodes and corridors -- major stops and lines in its network -- to see where more storage makes sense, possibly at GO stations, for example.

The city plans to open the next secure bike locker at the Hamilton Convention Centre in spring 2009. Without Metrolinx help, the city's annual budget for cycling initiatives is $300,000.

[Jon Dalton]

Just got hit by a car today. As I'd always predicted, it happened in Burlington while riding on the right, doing nothing out of the ordinary, by someone who was just not paying attention. Bike lanes wouldn't have helped. Drivers need to be aware of bicyclists. The best improvement to bike safety is more bikes on the road.

[raisethehammer]

oh my goodness. are you ok??
that's horrible news!

[matt602]

Just got hit by a car today. As I'd always predicted, it happened in Burlington while riding on the right, doing nothing out of the ordinary, by someone who was just not paying attention. Bike lanes wouldn't have helped. Drivers need to be aware of bicyclists. The best improvement to bike safety is more bikes on the road.

Sorry to hear about that. Doesn't surprise me that it was in Burlington, though.

[FairHamilton]

Jon,

I hope you are relatively unscathed. That's brutal, how bad? Were the police involved in the incident (i.e. ticket to driver).

[Jon Dalton]

It's all good, no injuries, but scary that someone would just plow right into me from behind. The area is terrible for people just gunning it out of driveways as if there's no sidewalk. Also, yesterday I was counting the number of drivers on cell phones which is truly astounding. 5 in a row were on the phone including a lady who almost ran the red and was reaching to grab the phone from the passenger seat while jerking the wheel abruptly with the other hand and screeching to a halt halfway into the crosswalk.

[FairHamilton]

I'm glad for no injuries! That's the most important thing.

[highwater]

Oh jeez, Jon. Glad you're ok. Take care of yourself.

[adam]

As more cyclists take to the roads, we need stricter enforcement of motorized vehicles.

[emge]

i just got my bike back last week. I had loaned it to my sister while she was attending the University of Guelph last year.

After a terrible summer biking to work in North York in Toronto during college I thought I would never bike again... now, I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Anything particular I should know about biking in Hamilton as opposed to other cities?

[FairHamilton]

Anything particular I should know about biking in Hamilton as opposed to other cities?

I recommend for anywhere to ride with a white flasher on the front and a red flasher on the back at all times, even during the day. Lights on for safety!!

Increased visibility to drivers and pedestrians is paramount.

[FairHamilton]

As more cyclists take to the roads, we need stricter enforcement of motorized vehicles.

We need stricter enforcement of motorized vehicles, and bicycles. There needs to be a joint respect between the two.

[adam]

Comparing a car to a bike is like comparing a handgun to a baseball bat... or actually baseball bat is too strong... twig or small stick would be more accurate.

[raisethehammer]

i just got my bike back last week. I had loaned it to my sister while she was attending the University of Guelph last year.

After a terrible summer biking to work in North York in Toronto during college I thought I would never bike again... now, I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Anything particular I should know about biking in Hamilton as opposed to other cities?

avoid Main St at all costs.

[Blurr]

^^ I am pretty comfortable taking main/king. With all the lanes available I just take one lane to myself. I have found that drivers and buses simply go around.

I find other routes too slow in my area.

[raisethehammer]

anyone noticed the construction on Wilson, east of Wellington?
It almost looks like they are going to redo it as 3 lanes instead of 4. Perhaps room for a bike lane??
I'm sure this is just wishful thinking...when it's all said and done it'll be back to a 4-lane freeway, but for now they've got painted dots in a 3-lane design.
I can't see a bike lane going there or we'd have heard about it years ago and the subsequent 2 dozen studies, 6 years of hand-wringing and constant delays while the brainiacs at city hall try to figure out if it's possible to add a bike lane on a 4-lane, one-way street without the world coming to an end.

[highwater]

We need stricter enforcement of motorized vehicles, and bicycles. There needs to be a joint respect between the two.

I have to agree. The same day Jon was hit, I nearly hit a cyclist who was blowing through a 4-way stop sign. She was concealed by a parked van and I didn't see her till I had already entered the intersection. She hadn't even bothered to slow down.

I live near the university and see this all the time, moreso now that there are more bikes on the road. Now I totally understand about cyclists treating all-way stops as a yield if there are no other vehicles, I do it myself. That's not what I'm talking about here. Sterling is a busy street and you will see two or three vehicles stopped at an intersection, and the cyclists just blow through without even looking, let alone slowing down, like they're in their own little universe. Many of them are wearing headphones as well. It's only a matter of time.

Because I'm aware of this, I'm extra cautious at 4-way stops in our neighbourhood, but I didn't see the cyclist yesterday because of the parked van, plus it was a side street where there usually aren't as many cyclists so I wasn't anticipating. Could have been tragic.

[highwater]

Comparing a car to a bike is like comparing a handgun to a baseball bat... or actually baseball bat is too strong... twig or small stick would be more accurate.

Unless you're a pedestrian. Then the baseball bat analogy applies.

[oldcoote]

Anything particular I should know about biking in Hamilton as opposed to other cities?

In Hamilton, cars cut across 3 lanes to hit the Tim Horton's Drive-Thru's. :)

[FairHamilton]

Comparing a car to a bike is like comparing a handgun to a baseball bat... or actually baseball bat is too strong... twig or small stick would be more accurate.

I think you missed my point. My point was drivers see cyclists as mavericks who flaunt all aspects of law while riding. Even if that's a small minority of cyclists. To get more respect from drivers we need to clean up those cyclists.

To illustrate my point. Monday night at th Main West Exit fom the 403, a cyclist riding westbound on eastbound direction sidewalk quickly turns and and rides across pedestrian crosswalk at the light. The GO bus driver advances turning right while checking traffic driving eastbound (he'd already checked that corner for pedestrians and none were present) he slams brakes thus avoiding collision with cyclist. Bus driver shakes head and mutters under breath.

Also, as a pedestrian in this city I'm worried about getting hit by a bike on the sidewalk then I am a car. Monday night between Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool and Carrick (a very short distance), 3 bikes on sidewalk riding east on King Street (a westbound street).

[Jon Dalton]

I don't believe deliberate traffic violations are the cause of most car / bike accidents, either on the part of the driver or the cyclist. It's ignorance. Most cycling deaths I hear about are simply getting plowed while biking in the right lane. If a cyclist whizzes through a stop sign without looking, that's just as ignorant.

[FairHamilton]

I don't believe deliberate traffic violations are the cause of most car / bike accidents, either on the part of the driver or the cyclist. It's ignorance. Most cycling deaths I hear about are simply getting plowed while biking in the right lane. If a cyclist whizzes through a stop sign without looking, that's just as ignorant.

First off I'm a cyclist, and I've posted as such previously.

Here's what I'm saying. If you want to be safer on the road then you have to be respected by drivers. Currently, I believe the one major thing that is preventing us (cyclists) from getting our due respect are the yahoo's who pull the stupid stuff.

How many times have you heard from drivers, "Hey, you cyclists blow red lights/stop signs, ride on sidewalks, ride at night with no lights, and generally have no respect for the rules of the road." I've read letters to the editor in The Spec which have said that. Those drivers don't respect cyclists.

Heck, why should they cyclists break laws all the time right in front of police without repercussions (Monday night on King Street the 3 bikes on the sidewalk passed 3 police cruisers on a traffic stop of some sort without any issue). I think police should enforce the rules of the road on cyclists. When people ride on the sidewalks they should be ticketed, when they ride at night with no lights they should be ticketed, when they blow red lights/stop signs they should be ticketed.

When drivers see most cyclists respecting the rules of the road, and being ticketed for infractions they'll develop a respect for cyclists. I've posted before I ride with a forward facing white flasher on my bike all the time even during the day, and why shouldn't I. There are laws for cars sold in Ontario to have daytime running lights why shouldn't I be the same on my bike.

I have yet to see another cyclist riding with a flasher during the day. And it's my belief that if I act like those around me, then they'll respect me (I'll be part of the club) and they will afford me the room on the road I deserve.

Without their respect, what should I expect to get? Probably, close brushes........

[thistleclub]

The press release version of Rob Faulkner’s piece in the Spec:

Hamilton Shifting Gears to Expand Cycling Infrastructure

HAMILTON, ON - October 2, 2008 - Hamilton's Public Works Department has initiated updates to the City's Cycling Master Plan in order to enhance the cycling experience for all riders. Updates to the plan, Shifting Gears, which was written in 1999, will focus on improving and expanding Hamilton's cycling network.

"The updated Cycling Master Plan will address the needs of all cyclists, from recreational riders to all-season cycling commuters," said Daryl Bender, Project Manager of Alternative Transportation in Hamilton's Public Works Department. "We want to ensure all riders, regardless of skill level, can be accommodated on Hamilton's bike lanes and trails."

Cycling is encouraged as an alternative form of transportation for numerous health and environmental benefits. Shifting Gears takes a holistic approach to cycling, and aims to make cycling accessible and attractive to all citizens and tourists of Hamilton. In addition to expanding Hamilton's network of routes, the updated Cycling Master Plan will review bike safety issues, bicycle parking and other ways to improve cycling.

As part of Hamilton's goal to develop an integrated sustainable transportation system, Hamilton has already been aggressively enhancing cycling facilities. Latest improvements include the installation of secure bicycle parking facilities at the York Boulevard parkade and the addition of bicycle lanes on North Service Road, York Boulevard, Ferguson Avenue and Stone Church Road.

The Environmental Assessment process will begin this fall to allow for consultation with stakeholders and the general public. In order to engage stakeholders and gather feedback, the City intends to hold public information centres by the end of this year and again in the first half of 2009. Stakeholders and the general public are welcome to attend these meetings to learn about updates to Shifting Gears and voice suggestions. More details will be shared as they become available. Comments are also welcomed by email anytime at cycling@hamilton.ca

For more information on the Cycling Master Plan, please visit www.hamilton.ca/cycling.

[adam]

I think you missed my point. My point was drivers see cyclists as mavericks who flaunt all aspects of law while riding. Even if that's a small minority of cyclists. To get more respect from drivers we need to clean up those cyclists.

To illustrate my point. Monday night at th Main West Exit fom the 403, a cyclist riding westbound on eastbound direction sidewalk quickly turns and and rides across pedestrian crosswalk at the light. The GO bus driver advances turning right while checking traffic driving eastbound (he'd already checked that corner for pedestrians and none were present) he slams brakes thus avoiding collision with cyclist. Bus driver shakes head and mutters under breath.

Also, as a pedestrian in this city I'm worried about getting hit by a bike on the sidewalk then I am a car. Monday night between Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool and Carrick (a very short distance), 3 bikes on sidewalk riding east on King Street (a westbound street).

I agree with you. The pedestrian should have the right of way.

But how can you blame these kids on bikes who use the sidewalk? They'd be assinine to risk their life on the road with SUVs who race through the downtown at 80km/h and higher. The majority of cars don't even stop at stop signs anymore.

[Jon Dalton]

First off I'm a cyclist, and I've posted as such previously.

Here's what I'm saying. If you want to be safer on the road then you have to be respected by drivers. Currently, I believe the one major thing that is preventing us (cyclists) from getting our due respect are the yahoo's who pull the stupid stuff.

How many times have you heard from drivers, "Hey, you cyclists blow red lights/stop signs, ride on sidewalks, ride at night with no lights, and generally have no respect for the rules of the road." I've read letters to the editor in The Spec which have said that. Those drivers don't respect cyclists.

Heck, why should they cyclists break laws all the time right in front of police without repercussions (Monday night on King Street the 3 bikes on the sidewalk passed 3 police cruisers on a traffic stop of some sort without any issue). I think police should enforce the rules of the road on cyclists. When people ride on the sidewalks they should be ticketed, when they ride at night with no lights they should be ticketed, when they blow red lights/stop signs they should be ticketed.

When drivers see most cyclists respecting the rules of the road, and being ticketed for infractions they'll develop a respect for cyclists. I've posted before I ride with a forward facing white flasher on my bike all the time even during the day, and why shouldn't I. There are laws for cars sold in Ontario to have daytime running lights why shouldn't I be the same on my bike.

I have yet to see another cyclist riding with a flasher during the day. And it's my belief that if I act like those around me, then they'll respect me (I'll be part of the club) and they will afford me the room on the road I deserve.

Without their respect, what should I expect to get? Probably, close brushes........

Very good points. Just to clarify, I don't advocate for the complete lawlessness of cyclists, that said I do engage in some questionable practices, most of which are technically legal. All of the examples recently brought up here I agree are not acceptable and I don't support - riding on the sidewalk, cutting off vehicles, whizzing through stop signs / lights. The big issue here and I would say the single most important one for cyclists to follow is right of way. If we don't violate someone's right of way, they have no legitimate reason to be angry. That brings me to my next point - why do people get angry? If it is because a cyclist puts others in danger, or puts himself in danger of getting hit, that's legitimate. However I rarely see this in my own travels. More often than not the root cause of anger towards cyclists is either that the driver has to slow down because there isn't enough room to pass, or that the cyclist is going faster.

[FairHamilton]

Very good points. Just to clarify, I don't advocate for the complete lawlessness of cyclists, that said I do engage in some questionable practices, most of which are technically legal. All of the examples recently brought up here I agree are not acceptable and I don't support - riding on the sidewalk, cutting off vehicles, whizzing through stop signs / lights. The big issue here and I would say the single most important one for cyclists to follow is right of way. If we don't violate someone's right of way, they have no legitimate reason to be angry. That brings me to my next point - why do people get angry? If it is because a cyclist puts others in danger, or puts himself in danger of getting hit, that's legitimate. However I rarely see this in my own travels. More often than not the root cause of anger towards cyclists is either that the driver has to slow down because there isn't enough room to pass, or that the cyclist is going faster.

Agreed, most people engage in questionable practices (i.e. bending or slightly breaking the law - i.e. speeding, roll through stops, etc) and I would never advocate enforcement to the letter of the law.

Why I think people get so angry is that everyone is in a hurry, which causes stress. Also, when you are in a car there is a separation between you and everyone else and you have a tendency to do things you'd never do when face-to-face with people.

[adam]

Its easy to forget how how lethal you are when you are in the comfortable seat of a car. More expensive cars enhance the barrier between the interior of the car and what I'll call REALITY. The reality that one false move could see you in the hospital or a pedestrian or cyclist dead or seriously injured. I think that motorists need to remember this and forget about trying to shave 5 minutes off their trip.

[Jon Dalton]

It's also easy to forget how vulnerable you are on a bike when you're used to not getting hit. I got hit at probably 5km/h and it still knocked me down and completely taco'd the rear rim. Huge trucks pass by me at 60-80km/h with sometimes a foot to spare and I don't even blink an eye (maybe it's because that's 7:45am and I'm too tired to be scared). Maybe it's time to re-evaluate my policies in Burlington. I heard it's legal to ride on the sidewalk there.

[SteelTown]

Bike rack use on buses takes off
Mountain routes see most action

October 11, 2008
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

Racks to carry bikes on the front of Hamilton Street Railway buses are more popular than some at city hall ever expected.

In a daylong survey on Thursday, Aug. 21, HSR drivers reported that 109 bicycles were loaded onto racks across the system "reflecting a usage rate far in excess of expectations and other reported industry experience," city staff say.

The HSR finished installing racks on all 204 of its buses in October 2007 in the wake of concerns they would cause a space crunch in storage garages, cause problems for bus cleaning machines, or raise liability issues for vehicle length.

"Everyone's very pleased. Some were surprised because there were people who were cautious about it," said Daryl Bender, city project manager for alternative transportation, which includes cycling.

HSR bike racks were paid for out of 2007 gas tax money. More recent Metrolinx money went toward bike storage and parking this year, Bender said.

Peak times for use were 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. It's not entirely different from trends of all city traffic, Bender said.

But the peak routes used were interesting, he notes. Top routes for rack usage were Upper Ottawa, Upper Gage and Upper Sherman, and King, Upper James, Upper Wentworth/Upper Wellington, Delaware and Barton.

Many of the Mountain bus routes include a climb up the escarpment, so one might assume cyclists were seeking a break from riding up that climb, Bender adds.

The survey -- done from 7 a.m. on Aug. 21 to 1 a.m. on Aug. 22 -- will be repeated this month to track use during the school year and outside the summer vacation period.

The city plans to keep the racks on buses all winter, like last year.

[raisethehammer]

anyone see the new bike parking in front of the GO Station?
It's awesome.
I LOVE the green bike. That should be used all over town as the symbol for bike parking areas.
Very cool.

[thistleclub]

Crazy CCTV-enhanced story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/23/boris-cycling) about London mayor Boris Johnson's Friday morning ride with a couple of his transportation officials. Trying to imagine a Hamilton version of this but all I'm getting is a laugh track.

[SteelTown]

Cast your vote for McMaster engineering
by Faculty of Engineering
July 14, 2009

http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/images/crosstown.jpg

Mechanical engineering and management graduates Lindsey Kettel and Cory Minkhorst need your help.

The two inventors have entered their award-winning Crosstown collapsible bicycle trailer in an international design competition and they need your vote to win the Canadian category.

The James Dyson Award celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. Its winner takes home approximately $19,000, with a matching prize for their school's design engineering department.

"The money would definitely help to get us further along in commercialization," said Minkhorst. "If we were to win the overall award, the donation would also be great for the mechanical engineering department!"

While the overall winner is chosen by Dyson with the recommendations of a panel of expert judges, the competition also includes a People's Choice Award. The public is encouraged to vote for their favourite design, which is done by country of residence. The most popular choices from each of the 21 participating countries automatically qualify for the judged competition.

Though the trailer is fundamentally the same, Kettel and Minkhorst have made many design modifications since their wins at the Ontario and Canadian Engineering Competitions earlier this year.

"This is our third prototype of the trailer," said Minkhorst. "The first was a simple design made from off-the-shelf materials like plywood and door hinges. We now use panels framed with aluminum tubing and covered with aluminum mesh, which has made the trailer lighter and stronger. We also reversed the folding direction and changed the towing arm in order to make it simpler and faster to stow the trailer on the back of the bike."

Kettel and Minkhorst came up with the collapsible bicycle carrier idea for their final year capstone project in mechanical engineering. They were inspired by research showing that more people would bicycle to work if they had a convenient, safe and secure way to transport things on their way to and from their destination.

Voting closes July 20 and People's Choice Award winners will be announced on July 21. The overall competition winner will be announced Monday, September 7.

For more information on the James Dyson Award, visit their web site.....
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/

To view and vote for the Crosstown.....
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Projects/Project.aspx?ID=665

[FairHamilton]

You'll have to register; http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Registration/Registration.aspx

And the voting is kinda different. It's not just a straight vote. You can select your rating, and the higher the rating the higher the product ranking. Right now the Crosstown is in 4th place, so if you are going to vote for it, rank it high.

Hopefully, we'll see it available at Bikehounds in the near future.

[flar]

An example of bike rental station:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/hull_downtown/00120.jpg

[markbarbera]

Heads-up for those cyclists that use the bike racks on the front of buses: I was riding the GO Bus back home this evening and heard a call over the radio from a Burlington GO driver reporting a bike stolen from the rack as he was stopped on Fairview. If you're going to use the rack, make sure you wrap a bike lock through the wheel spokes and around the frame before mounting it on the bike rack.

[matt602]

Wow, that's just ridiculous.

[FairHamilton]

I want on of these as soon as they are available. Heck, I'll even buy a prototype.

http://thespec.com/article/624633


August 26, 2009

Special to the Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 26, 2009)
Two McMaster University graduates are pedalling into the bigtime with an invention that keeps capturing awards.

The latest feather in the caps of engineering grads Cory Minkhorst and Lindsey Kettel is the James Dyson national design award for their ingenious lightweight foldaway cargo carrier for bicycles.

They won the Canadian portion of the award and are now among the top 20 finalists in the world.

Kettel and Minkhorst created the Crosstown trailer as a graduating project in mechanical engineering. The lightweight carrier attaches to the rear forks by a single arm. When not in use, it rides over the back wheel. The trailer swings down, opens up the bed and raises the fabric walls. The carrier bed opens out to be a little larger than a case of 24 beers, and can haul up to 45 kilograms of cargo.

Dyson, a famed Canadian inventor, himself chooses the overall winner in consultation with an expert panel that is reviewing entries from 21 countries.

[SteelTown]

New buses, bike lockers
Transit upgrades part of Metrolinx strategy for city

September 01, 2009
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/626989

New bike lockers are set to open in the downtown core this month to better help commuting cyclists link up with public transit.

The 16 lockers, designed to hold 16 bikes each, will open at the Hamilton Convention Centre as part of Metrolinx's $2.2-million program to provide secure bike parking for cyclists across the Golden Horseshoe area.

The lockers were mentioned yesterday by Metrolinx chairperson Rob MacIsaac at the delivery of 18 hybrid buses to the city for a new north-south transit route.

"It's to make cycling a more feasible way for people to get around," he said at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, where he, city and provincial officials unveiled the diesel-electric buses.

Studies by Metrolinx, the provincial transportation agency overseeing the Golden Horseshoe, suggest people use their bikes less than they'd like because of the risk of theft.

"People don't like taking their bike to work and coming out and seeing that it's not there anymore, obviously," said MacIsaac. "If we can help encourage and provide more secure locations for bicycles, we think people will use them more."

He also said the idea is to have secure bike lockers in areas that are cycling, pedestrian, transit, employment and leisure hubs.

They will be accessible to registered users with a key card and will be under constant video surveillance.

The buses, first announced by Metrolinx last year, will be employed on a new route that will start next Tuesday and essentially run between the city's waterfront and the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. It will serve such destinations as the GO station on Hunter Street and Mohawk College. It will only operate on weekdays during peak periods, but will someday expand into all-day service.

Six buses were lined up on the tarmac behind the Mount Hope museum and their destination signs spelled out the message: Hamilton and Metrolinx launch the new 20A Line Express Transit Routes.

"These improvements will result in more frequent service, more capacity and more comfort for our riders," said Mayor Fred Eisen- berger. "We look forward to working with Metrolinx in the coming months to implement future transit projects in Hamilton."

The buses cost $16 million and came from $33 million allotted to Hamilton by Metrolinx this spring to provide immediate transit improvements. The bus purchases, however, were first announced at the end of 2008 as part of a deal with Winnipeg-based New Flyer to buy 160 buses for 12 municipalities.

[highwater]

Take the poll:

http://thespec.com/

[Jon Dalton]

Another one bites the dust?

November 03, 2009
John Burman
BURLINGTON – A cyclist was seriously injured in a collision with an SUV on Dundas Street at Guelph Line this morning.

Halton police said the man, in his mid-30s who is believed to be from Mississauga or Oakville, was riding his bike east on Dundas Street when he collided with an SUV in the intersection just before 10 a.m.

The cyclists name has not been released.

Sergeant Brian Carr said the SUV had been westbound on Dundas moments before and was turning left, southbound onto Guelph Line.

The cyclist was taken by ambulance to Hamilton General Hospital. The full extent of his injuries was not immediately known.

Members of the Halton police collision reconstruction unit closed the intersection for approximately two hours for investigation. Dundas Street was closed from Walkers Line to Guelph Line which was closed from Driftwood Drive to 1 Sideroad.


http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/665711

[rousseau]

Obviously I'm speculating, but it sounds like a classic case of douchebag driver syndrome: "I am in my car and turning left; said cyclist riding in the opposing direction can't be going that fast, but even if he is, he should yield for me anyway."

[Jon Dalton]

Either that or the cyclist was pushing the yellow, which is not likely. Those intersections are so wide that if you enter during the yellow, cars to the right will be gunning it by the time you're half way through.

[Jon Dalton]

So the spec mentions today that the cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet, but no further details other than that the driver wasn't injured when his SUV hit a bike (whew!). Good work, team.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/666131

[highwater]

I also noticed it said he hit the SUV rather than the other way around. Weird. Hope they follow up with more details.

[adam]

Dundas and Guelph Line is a very scary place if you are a cyclist.. I rode it once and would never do it again.

[SteelTown]

So it appears part of the 2010 Budget there'll be more cycling lanes popping up in Lower Hamilton. I'm happy about York/Wilson, a West/East cycling lane in Lower Hamilton.

Woodward Avenue - Melvin to Brampton ($440,000)
Burlington - Birch Ave to Ottawa (Dofasco gate) ($235,000)
Queensdale - Upper Gage to Upper Ottawa ($175,000)
York Blvd - Caroline to James ($60,000)
Wilson - James to Victoria ($110,000)
Wilson - Wentworth to Sherman ($50,000).

2011

Nash - Queenston to Barton ($445,000)
Burlington - Dofasco Gate to MTO industrial Dr ($200,000)

2012

Barton - Nash to Centennial ($360,000)
Cannon - Gage to Barnsdale ($265,000)
Queensdale Ave E - Upper Wellington to Upper Wentworth ($185,000)
Greenhill - Summercrest to King ($65,000)
Highway 8 - Green to Millen ($55,000)
Highway 8 - Millen to Dewitt ($90,000)
Sanatorium - Rediem to Chedmac/Rice ($235,000)

[matt602]

Looks like a good start but a lot of those sections seem to end too early to be any use. Why on Woodward to only Brampton? If anyone is taking that, they'll want to get down to the lake.

[SteelTown]

Don't forget about the pedestrian bridge over the QEW to the Lake.

[matt602]

Don't forget about the pedestrian bridge over the QEW to the Lake.

Good point. I'll be incredibly disappointed if that doesn't include some kind of reservations for bicycle users like the Ferguson bridge over the CN tracks does. That was a wonderfully constructed project (I mean some kind of bicycle appropriate path leading up to and leaving it - connected to at least one main street somewhere)

[SteelTown]

The bridge is strictly for pedestrians and cyclist. No vehicles.

[highwater]

Sunday Streets event coming to Hamilton!

http://www.raisethehammer.org/blog/1626/%27sunday_streets%27_coming_to_hamilton

Money quote from cycling committee minutes:

"Cyclovias (sic) in Hamilton “Open Streets” – Jordan gave an update of the Nov 2 mtg. They are planning two “Sunday Streets” events in 2010 and sourcing funds. A meeting on Dec 7 is scheduled."

[coalminecanary]

It takes a lot more than snow, sub-zero temperatures and a wind approaching storm strength to stop Copenhageners from having a chat with friends or loved ones on their bicycles. (Link - http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ (http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/))
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4368919438_235fb3cc39.jpg

Meanwhile, it is illegal in Hamilton to ride side by side.

[bornagainbiking]

please note there is a single lane bike/pedestrian bridge (brand new) 300 metres west of Ferguson beside the Food Basics. At the foot of Mary Street. Mary is a very quiet street on the South side. and Strachan Street connect the Entrance to Bayfront park to Ferguson and the new park at Wellington Street.

[adam]

Can't wait to find out more about "Sunday Streets"
York and Cannon are multi lane streets that are pretty barren on Sundays. I have rode a bike down these streets on Sundays several times and it has been so quiet I can often hear the rubber of the tires rolling on the road... !

[markbarbera]

It takes a lot more than snow, sub-zero temperatures and a wind approaching storm strength to stop Copenhageners from having a chat with friends or loved ones on their bicycles. (Link - http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ (http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/))
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4368919438_235fb3cc39.jpg

Meanwhile, it is illegal in Hamilton to ride side by side.

Actually, Danish cycling rules also say to ride in single file except to pass.

[Anders Knudsen]

Actually, Danish cycling rules also say to ride in single file except to pass.

wow, knowledge of Danish cycling laws? That's impressive. Note the stylish dress of the cyclists and their excellent posture - speaks to the culture you need to develop to have widespread cycling. Needs to be comfortable and stylish, not just utilitarian.

Anyway, I'm new in town and it's time to take my rusty bike out of the basement - does anyone have any bike repair shops they can recommend downtown or on the mountain? PM me if you do. Looking for inexpensive and capable. Thanks!

[matt602]

Downtown Bike Hounds maybe? They're on Cannon at James North.

[LikeHamilton]

June 10, 2010 By CBC News

Ottawa sidewalk cyclists face fines


Cyclists who zip down Ottawa sidewalks, dodging pedestrians, could face tickets and fines.


Ottawa police launched a two-day cycling blitz Thursday in the Uppertown neighbourhood aimed at teaching cyclists about the rules of the road and enforcing those rules - including a ban on sidewalk riding.

Sgt. Jean Lamothe said Ottawa police have been receiving lots of calls from pedestrians complaining about the danger they face from bikes on sidewalks, and he believes that's the biggest problem when it comes to cyclists disobeying road rules.

"They don't understand that their bicycle is a vehicle and a vehicle is designed to ride on the roadway," he said.

In fact, he said, many cyclists, including most under age 16, don't know the rules of the road as governed by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the Ottawa Traffic and Parking bylaw.

They require that cyclists have lights, a bell or horn, and follow most of the same rules that apply to cars.

When asked if tickets will be handed out for infractions during the blitz, Lamothe said, "Definitely."

Ottawa police said cycling on the sidewalk, banned under the Ottawa traffic bylaw, is punishable by a $40 fine. Police have some discretion when applying the fines, however, and won't be fining young children, said Lamothe.

'The traffic's just too dangerous'
Cyclist David Guiguere said he does notice a lot of cyclists breaking the rules

"We have to be a hell of a lot more considerate and careful," said Guiguere, who describes himself as "a cyclist who doesn't wear spandex and go a million miles an hour like some of them do."

But he said there's a reason bikes end up on sidewalks.

"The traffic's just too dangerous," he said. "What this all points towards is that we need not just dedicated bike lanes, but physically separated bike paths in high traffic areas."

Lamothe said police are dealing with dangerous traffic by educating drivers and not just cyclists about the rules. But he said cyclists need to do their part.

"We only have so much roadway," Lamothe said, "so you have to learn to share the roadway."

Six police officers on bicycles will take part in the blitz, with support from other units.

Bicycle regulations under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act

•HTA 144/136 - Traffic signals and signs
◦Stop for red lights and stop signs and comply with all other signs. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 153 - One-ways streets
◦Ride in the designated direction on one-way streets. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 147 - Slow moving traffic travel on right side
◦Any vehicle moving slower than the normal traffic speed should drive in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the road except when preparing to turn left or when passing another vehicle. For cyclists, you must ride far enough out from the curb to maintain a straight line, clear of sewer grates, debris, potholes, and parked car doors. You may occupy any part of a lane when your safety warrants it. Never compromise your safety for the convenience of a motorist behind you. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 142 - Signalling a turn
◦Before turning, look behind you and signal your turn. Cyclists can use their right arm to signal a right turn. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 140(1) 144(29) - Crosswalks
◦Yield or stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 140(6)/144(29) - No riding in crosswalks
◦Walk your bike when crossing at a crosswalk. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 166 - Streetcars
◦Stop two metres behind streetcar doors and wait until passengers have boarded or departed and reached the curb. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 175 (12) - Stopped school buses
◦Stop for stopped school buses when the upper alternating red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out. Set fine: $400.00
•HTA 62(17) - Lights
◦A bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks. Set fine: $20.00
•HTA 75 (5) - Bell
◦A bike must have a bell or horn in good working order. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 64(3) - Brakes
◦A bike must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel. When you put on the brakes, you should be able to skid on dry, level pavement. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 218 - Identification
◦Cyclists must stop and identify themselves when required to stop by police for breaking traffic laws. The police officer will ask you for your correct name and address. Set fine: $85.00
•HTAReg. 630 - Expressways
◦Bicycles are prohibited on expressway / freeway highways such as the 400 series, the QEW, Ottawa Queensway and on roads where "No Bicycle" signs are posted. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 178(2) - Passengers
◦Passengers are not allowed on a bicycle designed for one person. Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 178(1) - Attaching to a vehicle
◦You are not permitted to attach yourself to the outside of another vehicle or streetcar for the purpose of "hitching a ride." Set fine: $85.00
•HTA 104 - Helmets
◦Every cyclist under the age of eighteen must wear an approved bicycle helmet. Parents or guardians shall not knowingly permit cyclists under sixteen to ride without a helmet. Set fine: $60.00
•HTA 179 - Dismounted bicyclist
◦Cyclists are required to ride on the right-hand side of the road. If you are walking your bike on a highway where there are no sidewalks, you are considered a pedestrian and you should walk on the left-hand side of the road facing traffic. If it is not safe for you to cross the road to face traffic, you may walk your bike on the right-hand side of the road. Set fine: $35.00

Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/06/10/ottawa-police-cycling-blitz.html

[LikeHamilton]

Longwood Road between Main and King has been re-lined with bike lane on both sides of the Street. There is only one lane for vehicles in both directions and parking on the east side of the street only.

[LikeHamilton]

Hamilton Bike Share Demonstration and Cycling Expo

Tuesday, August 31 - Stop by anytime between 3-6pm!
Hamilton City Hall Front Courtyard

On Tuesday, August 31st Smart Commute Hamilton will be hosting a Hamilton Bike Share demonstration with Bixi and B-Cycle. Both B-Cycle and Bixi are setting up bicycles and a docking station for you to try out their systems! Along with this exciting demonstration, several exhibitors with a focus on cycling will have tables set up with information on their cycling programs.

http://www.bixisystem.com/home

http://www.bcycle.com/

[padthai]

Does anyone have any update on this potential bike path?

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/17840D39-C225-42AF-91E4-7402D2D27EE0/0/communitylettermap.pdf

I know there are appeals being held on Sept 13th and 17th. Is anyone planning to attend?

[padthai]

An update on the proposed West Hamilton Multi-Use Trail, courtesy of Raise the Hammer user dodell:

"there was a continuation of the previous hearings before the Environmental Review Tribunal (administered by "Environment and Land Tribunals Ontario") to September 13th and 17th, although I was only able to attend on 13th. The appellants (against the proposed routing of the trail across Chedoke golf course) presented arguments that the city had under estimated the number of trees that would be cut down or damaged in the copse of trees on the edge of the golf course that separate their properties from the fairways. I also gave my arguments in support of the trail, including the results of the online petition in favour of the trail which had 585 signatures at that time. The hearing office told me that this was "not a popularity contest" and so would give the petition a low weight in his deliberations, although he did allow me to enter the petition into my official evidence. However, I still think the petition is playing an important role in this debate by illustrating the strength of feeling in the wider community. More signatures would not damage my case!
As a result of the evidence he had heard, the hearing officer has requested further tree damage reports from the city (as well as reports on water drainage issues) and another two hearing dates have been set for February 2011 to hear these reports. The trail is in limbo until then although all this might be moot due to the proposed Tiger Cat stadium in the Canadian Pacific Railway yards at Aberdeen Avenue. The proposed trail passes through this land (the City bought a strip of land from CPR for the trail) but the stadium might be on top of it. So I guess nothing will happen until the stadium plans become clearer."

[SteelTown]

Looks like the Bixi has the edge.....

"Representatives from Bixi will report back to Public Works on the cost to implement a pilot project, and that information will be shared with McMaster representatives to determine next steps for pilot implementation with the downtown core and McMaster University being the two primary nodes of the system."