Happy Bike Month!!
While city council argues the validity of bike lanes on Bloor, Toronto residents will be taking part in bike month, a celebration of all things two-wheeled.
The idea is to encourage more people to use their bikes to get around the city. Throughout the month various cities across the GTHA will be hosting guided bike tours, festivals, art shows, film screenings, and more.
Cycling advocates point out that by trading in a car for a bike you don’t only save money —you don’t have to purchase gas or a bus token — but you are also helping relieve congestion.
Monday marked the beginning of this celebration with Bike To Work Day, where hundreds of people hoped on their bikes and took over downtown Toronto. Sadly, I could not join the movement (it would have taken my three hours to bike to work this morning), but I’m there in mind and spirit!
A number of city officials showed their cycling pride this morning, posting pictures to social media as proof of their physical prowess.
Cruisin with the ladies @jen_keesmaat @agalbraith #BiketoWorkDay pic.twitter.com/GiIKed5Yi1
— Siri Agrell (@SiriAgrell) May 30, 2016
Love a Mayor who Bikes! @JohnTory @joe_cressy #BikeToWork @CycleToronto @bikeshareTO pic.twitter.com/M6aDVdpS10
— MM McMahon (@mary_margaret32) 30 May 2016
Celebrating #BiketoWorkDay. (And hoping to make my cyclist desk-mates @zoemck and @jforani proud.) pic.twitter.com/mCEJ7zOJ4W
— Lauren Pelley (@LaurenPelley) May 30, 2016
#BiketoWorkDay with @JohnTory pic.twitter.com/R8z5j0aUDn
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) May 30, 2016
Lining up for pancakes at #BiketoWorkDay at NPS. We'll be voting on cycling budget in 2 weeks. Hope to see you back. pic.twitter.com/fZHgxlRdmN
— Mike Layton (@m_layton) May 30, 2016
During the first week of bike month city officials will be taking part in an enforcement blitz to stop drivers from parking and stopping in cycling lanes. This type of activity is incredibly dangerous for cyclists, as it forces them into the thick of traffic. The fine for simply stopping in a bike lane is $150.
To see more events, take a look at the Bike Month calendar.
