'zzzzzzzactly.

I just saw some street sweepers going up Sherbourne. Hopefully some of the glass will be gone soon.

Concerning the multi-use trail that runs along the north side of Lakeshore Blvd. It is still designated as a “road right of way”. However, there is a motion to officially preserve it as “parkland” which would preserve the conditions that are there now (bike path, walkway, trees, plants, storm water ditches, grass).

ON TUES. APRIL 8, 10:00 AM COUNCIL NEEDS TO HEAR THAT THERE IS SUPPORT. IF YOU ARE ABLE, GO IN PERSON TO CITY HALL COMMITTEE ROOM 1, 2ND FLOOR, THE ITEM IS TIMED FOR 10:00.

It would be important to mention the big picture. For example, this park belt fits into the bigger open space and bike route network. It will also be important to share any big-picture history you recall regarding how this park belt came to be. When the Gardiner came down this strip was envisioned as a linear park as outlined in an earlier document called “Greening the Portlands” (produced by the Waterfront Trust).

Designating it as parkland will preserve it as such. It will preserve the direct, east-west unobstructed commuter / recreation route.

YOU CAN CALL AND PRE-REGISTER FOR A DEPUTATION – contact Francis Pritchard (416) 392-7033, email: teycc@toronto.ca

OR JUST GO FOR 9:45 / 10:00

Here is an excerpt form the agenda which is available at http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2...08-te14-ar.pdf

I raised this issue in various discussions about riding offroad in the Don valley. In that situation, the city folks act downright paranoid about getting nailed with a lawsuit, and as a result the trails have been under a cloud of possible closure for some time. Meanwhile, I've been told in no uncertain terms that on pavement there is sufficient legal precedent to absolve the city from any liability fears whatsoever. Wish that made sense to me, but it doesn't. Personally I view pavement riding on 700x23 to be more technical than the Don valley on 26x1.9. It really hit home when I busted a coil spring driving my car last year on Bayview.

20% increase in bicycle ridership? good news!

Well I finally rode out here to Whitby this morning. Left later than planned, 7:55 and got into the office at 10:15, so not too bad. ODO reads 33 miles with an average of 15.9mph. 35 minutes longer than my journey with the GO train, so I'm pretty happy about that.

Will be riding to Oshawa with a buddy who's taking the train up, then both of us riding back into the city. Some lovely spots for stop offs, even though I did take the main roads here (Bloor/Danforth->Kingston Rd.)

Glad to read someone is taking it up with the city re: bike damages - I had read that they compensate for car damages but didn't know how that stood with bikes, as of course we can damage our stuff and selves on some of the monster holes out there. Good luck, they ought to get their act together on it already.

I personally really enjoy 700x35 + bunny hopping the gaping pits. :)

Though I will say that I've pinch flatted more on the streets in the past year than I have offroad.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/bik/628727857.html

I will admit I dig the stainless on the chain stay.

To enact By-Law to permanently close the portion of the boulevard on the north side of Lake Shore Boulevard East, generally from Coxwell Avenue in the east to the Don Road Way in the west, the southern limit of the bicycle trail to the southern property line of the properties to the north.

What does that mean? Side streets would dead end instead of accessing Lakeshore? Would make it a bit less harrowing watching for cars poppin' outta there.

Has anyone on this board ever sued a driver for damage caused to their bikes? I don't know why that just popped into my head, but small claims court would be perfect to exact revenge and payment off of a driver's insurance (more likely to settle and automatic increase in premiums.)

Edit: If anyone does do this and needs help with any of the forms, let me know.

that seems like a bit more trouble than it's worth. i'm no legal expert but wouldn't it set a dangerous precedent of paying out of insurance? if the cops can write you a ticket taking points off your drivers license for a traffic violation on a bike, what's to say that the courts couldn't do something similar with your auto insurance? just a thought. besides, i prefer the instant gratification of horking on their windshield...

besides, isn't small claims court expensive?

We had this discussion before, but now these jerseys are being sold:

http://www.showmecables.com/catalog/...US010021RP.jpg

$100 which if you win will usually be paid back to you.

If you're the cyclist who gets the door prize or get hit why would your insurance have anything to do with it? You'd sue the driver, who would then immediately send the claim off to his insurance company, who would defend the action.

Is it more trouble than it's worth? I guess it depends on the situation. If you smashed up a wheel, I'm certain you can get some nice quotes from the bike store folk on the board and do alright.

All of this is based upon the fact that you weren't running a red light, or doing anything sketchy. it also would need actual damages, not just the normal every day squeezed too close to the curb for comfort.

i suppose if you have a bad accident and the cops aren't doing anything for you then you could go after them. i was just thinking of a driver trying to involve insurance in an accident even if it was on the road simply because it was in "traffic".

There are several people on the board (past and/or present and/or lurkers) who have successfully had damages paid for by drivers, but I don't think in any of those cases it was taken to court.

Man, it is really nice out there right now. Unfortunately my office is stale, hot and seemingly oxygen-starved. We have windows that can be opened, but my co-workers who are seated near the windows are apparently allergic to fresh air. Ugh.

Sail them out the window, Wes. Spring has sprung, how could they not want to have a head full of fresh air?

The cops can't do that. Under the highway traffic act they can only deduct points for motor vehicles and streetcars. The only way this will happen to you is if they "forget" to fill in the vehicle type on the infraction.

TJ: The bike path is currently "right of way". If you look at the description of the closure, it's the path. They're removing it's status as right of way to make the transition to parkland.

Parkland from Coxwell to The Don? Seems like a crappy place for a park.

I have completed painting the fork and dropout. I masked off the crown to the best of my ability and gave the rest a sanding, prime, and about 6 light coats of automotive paint that I had matched at Robert Automotive on Dundas W. I haven't given them a clear coat. The paint still feels soft after a couple weeks of drying. I know a spraycan job won't last forever (or even a season) but for some reason I am hesitant of clear coating it, maybe because the original paint job is matte. Any thoughts? There are some more detailed pics on flikr http://flickr.com/photos/83074031@N0...7603875351187/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/...e02ab8.jpg?v=0

Get matte clear coat. I used that on my matte black bike.

The bike/walking/etc. path on the north side of the Lakeshore is currently considered road right of way (i.e. part of the lakeshore boulevard.). "Closing it" means it is no longer road right of way (this wouldn't restrict north south access as these exisiting accesses are roads, not right of ways).What it would do though is prevent, say, adding a lane to the Lakeshore that would take over the path (as it's currently road right of way).

It may also limit new constructions that would try to cross the bike path, for example the 700,000 square foot Smart Centre that's planned for the old film studio site and is currently appealing to the OMB for a zoning variance that was previously denied.

Lots of folks use this path to walk, commute or just ride around. Changing it to parkland would help ensure preservation and prevent encroachment.

Agreed Wes, lovely day out - too bad some people are allergic to that gorgeous shiny thing in the sky as well as open air...

Looks sweet as hell nerdsgirth, I'm not usually one for white bikes, but there's been a couple really nice ones recently posted up... beauty!

I like those jerseys, too :) My Rob Roy is matte black, I might get some clearcoat for it as well (especially as I already dropped a rim on a seat stay the first night I had it, chipping the ****ing paint :( - idiot me)... thanks for the tip.

ah...now I finally understand. Gads are they STILL looking at building the damned Wallmart there? Christ on-a-stick, I can't think of anyone in the hood that wants them there.

Unfortunately, if they build it, they will come. That's enough justification for them. IT'S PROGRESS, MAN! ;)

ooo that would be wonderful! too bad i had to use up my lieu time for the end of the fiscal year, so i doubt that i would be able to leave work to attend the meeting.

seems like it's a lot of people's first day/week back on the bike. i always find it amusing that whereas some folks are just getting out their gear, i'm already ditching it! 6 degrees? i don't need no stinkin' jacket! rockin' the short-sleeves i tell you what :D

a few more things:

- i hate cabbies. seriously dudes wtf.

- i have 3 wool jerseys that are too big for me that i should get rid of.

- hacker-pschorr ("bavarian") beer is quickly becoming my new favourite LCBO treat. so much for the 100-mile diet...

Oh yeah, and their neighbor has done a "me too" at the OMB wanting the same variance without saying what's going on there.

The Smart Centre lobby effectively lobbied out the local business community by requesting financial statements from all vendors claiming risk of business impact. The OMB granted this so the business group said no thanks. Apparently Smart Centre can tell how much it will impact a small business's earnings by looking at their books.

I like the little shops and such on Queen, Gerard Square has Zellers and Home Depot.. the new Crappy Tire isn;t even offensive in it's South-of-Lakeshore positioning. A monster seller centre will just wreck the survivability of all those little niche shops.

Hacker-pschorr can be found on tap at a few places around too... Beer Bistro is one IIRC... good stuff :)

I wore only my base layer and long sleeved T today, despite it being -2C, there was barely any wind and it felt lovely - my legs were starting to sweat at points - so I think my shorts-prep on Tuesday wasn't far off. I definitely am noticing a massive difference in the number of bikes out there, though - coming along Bloor and Danforth today was cool. Must admit sometimes it's irritating to be behind a less experienced/shaky rider, I put my patience to the max and give them the room they need to feel confident - I try to say a "good morning" to everyone I pass/meet along the way - the way I see it is more bikes = better for everyone.