Please sign petition to Canada's Federal Government
 

saw this on craigslist Toronto:

Please sign if you can my fellow riders!:D

___________________________________________________________
petition at
http://www.gopetition.com/online/10170.html

has been online since Nov. 2006 and now stands at about 3500 signatures. A corresponding paper version was signed at various MEC stores across Canada and has approximately 2000 signatures. I very much want to take the petition down this weekend and wrap it all up to send to NDP MP Olivia Chow to present to parliament.

If you are aware of the environmental and personal health benefits of bike-commuting, and would like to ask the Federal Canadian Government to take strong steps to promote cycling as a legitimate transportation alternative, please consider signing and sending the link to your friends.

Done.

I signed 'er. Hali' is definitely not bike friendly, but it is improving.

While I respect the spirit of the petition, I can hardly ask the 'federal' government to set up another bureaucracy for a tax break for cyclists. I think the initiative should be at the local level to improve cycling conditions.
A recent trade tribunal ruled 'against' local bike manufacturers, notably Quebec I think, who had argued for a punitive tariff that would have placed an onerous cost on bikes from bulk stores like Wal Mart and Zellers. That in itself kept bikes more afforable for the masses. IMO, that's where the feds should be spending their limited resources.
Full disclosure: I'm in Ottawa and commute to work 7 months a year, sometimes on federally maintained pathways.

Carefull what you wish for!
Some years ago fisherman wanted the government to regulate the fishing season with more aggressive laws to stop, among other issues, fishing out of season.
What did we get? Fishing licenses, which required the purchase of an outdoor card. Fishermans good intentions turned out to be a money grab for the gov.
I'm sure we would all like a law requiring a bicycle license...

No offense Alphonso and you make an interesting point, but have you looked at any town of any size and saw a preponderance of bicycles? I'm not saying an abomination like bike licenses won't happen, but I'd say it's far from likely that pushing for more bike lanes will bring it about.

The fishermen/outdoorsmen demographic is much bigger and is pretty much the same demographic as the car driving, horn-honking ya-yoos that try to run me off the road. In other words there's plenty of cow to milk with that group not to mention it being important to help conserve fish stock and wildlife.

I also think it could be a valid argument that bike riders already contribute enough without paying license fees by being less of a burden on traffic problems and roads as well as helping improve air quality. Fishermen gave what back? Threw back a fish with a bloody lip and a new found fear of worms once in a while?

This is a generalization and it's over simplistic and I'm related to an avid fisherman so don't kill me.

You don't get it.
You want more bike lanes, great! I'm all for it.
Who is going to pay the added cost of a bike lane.
Will it be added to municipal taxes...doubt it! Provincial taxes...absolutely not.
Different levels of gov doing it out of the goodness of their heart...not a snowballs chance in hell!
This is where the fishing license is an example of what can happen.
I'm sure every road could have a bike lane, if cyclist are willing to foot the bill.
User fee = bicycle license = bike lanes

As for your comment on cyclists contributing enough by being less a burden on traffic, think again.
Being a cyclist, I am appaulled at some of the attitudes I see some cyclist exhibit. Such as, being given the finger by several riders riding side by side. They would not move over to allow me to pass.
Going through red lights is another good one. This creates anymosity towards all cyclists.
No burden? Yeah, Right.

Did you mean to begin that whining with "I"? You wrote "You". We all make typos. Don't mention it.

BTW, they didn't need to move over maniac they have the same rights as you and judging by your personality I put my money on you deserving the finger and their stubborness. Didn't know that either? Don't mention it.

LOL No, I mean YOU!

You are obviously one the cyclists who make a bad name for the rest of us.
True, a cyclist has the same rights to the road as motor vehicles. However, it is against the law to disrupt the flow of traffic. Not moving over to let a vehicle pass is blatant ignorance. I have no alternative but to think you approve of such self centered actions.

Yeah, I'm the maniac. I've been driving for 30 years. Never had more than a parking ticket. You would also lose out on that bet. Did I mention this took place on a busy city street in Kitchener with other vehicles behind me, unable to pass?

Pull your head out of your backside!

BTW are you from quebec? If so, that would explain your attitude!

Mind your manners, Alphonso...

Yeah, and spelling, and grammar.

I'm with Alphonso - metaphorically speaking. Certainly where possible, local governments should allocate some extra ashphalt to promote cycling. It might reduce the risk of cyclist/vehicle accident = $$$. But 'extra' lanes cost dollars as well and, as much as it hurts to say it, user fees would make sense. I just can't see how bike lanes can be considered a core service.

And Alphonso's on the mark with respect to manners on the road. Double file where possible, single where warranted - it just makes sense. I've been hit by a car - his fault all the way - it's not fun.

Play safe everyone :)