Glad to be of service! Sorry for the bad copies of the pages, I don't actually know how to use the photocopier properly.

What's confusing about cycling in traffic is the double standards. You are expected to take the lane only when necessary but it's safer to always do so (or at least take half the lane, i.e not hug the curb). On the other hand it is tolerated to pass stopped cars and get a head start at the stop light. I would go nuts if I had to wait in line behind cars and it would almost defeat the purpose of cycling. But it would be safer to wait...

I guess it's a matter of critical mass. As long as they are relatively few cyclists on the road we lie in a gray zone and if you are experienced you'll get around fine. But without clear rules or enforcement it's hard to convince cycling is safe for newcomers. In places were cycling is important, bikes and cars get along and both follow the rules.

I saw that on the news last night. $2/day for indoor lockup.

Re: E-bikes. I tried a power-assist one (form a coworker), where the motor only engages when you pedal. It's very cool it's like having a massive tailwind all the time. An electric scooter once sneaked up on me, they are very silent. Those should be considered like, uh, scooters, but the one I encountered behaved like a bike. Not cool.

and finally... Anybody has one of those cool hidden bolt DA/600-Ultegra/AX threaded stems? I have one but am missing the cap.

From ctv.ca: "Parking costs $2 per day for non-members, while members will pay a separate monthly fee and have 24-hour access to the bicycle station. (Non-members can only access the bicycle station between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.)"

From gotransit.com: "On weekdays, due to rush-hour crowding, you may not take them on trains scheduled to arrive at Union Station between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. or that leave Union Station between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Bicycles are also prohibited inside Union Station during those times."


So if you want to ride to the go train you're basically screwed unless you work from 10:15 - 3:00!

I got a call from a buddy who had his bike locked up on Yonge, right in front of HMV, and had his key bust off in the lock. He called me at the shop and asked if I could help him out. I dutifully strapped our 4 foot bolt cutters to my bike and headed over. As I was cutting the lock, not only did a single person not say a word, but a cop car drove by and didn't bat an eyelash. Why doesn't this shiz happen when I am riding by?

I often daydream about catching a bike thief in the act. One day...

One day, my friend...

A couple of years ago some friends and I hatched a plan to setup a brakeless / freewheeled bait bike and then chase the guy as soon as he got on it... but our good sense got the better of us and we decided that as much as we'd love to put the boots to a bike thief caught in the act; none of us wanted their serious injuries (or death) on our conscience... or criminal record, for that matter.

I just want the satisfaction of knowing that I stopped someone's bike from getting ripped off. Like I said when your saddle was stolen recently, it isn't so mush the loss of property it's the feeling that you can't do anything about it. So being there when I could do something about it would feel pretty good.

hey dude, the folding bikes are Strida's and they are pretty cool for mixed mode transit. they are kinda slow and really made for the older gent that wants something to ride when he docks his yacht cuz the pier seems longer every year.

The strida's were or still are sold by curbside, but it looks like areaware distro has gone direct to market in canada.

the strida is a whopping $980.....tho..
(there were a few knock-offs on criagslist 18months ago...)

rent must be high in the path, but i hope they sell a lot of bikes, in hopes to see more ppl on bikes.

and you CAN carry folding bikes on the go train during rush hour.

A similar thing happened to my roommate, except his ride was locked up at the north-east corner of Queen & Spadina. He went at it with a hacksaw, IIRC, and no one batted an eye. Same old story, I guess: unless it affects them personally, people couldn't care less.

I tell ya man bikes are invisible....

Accept during Bike Week/Month when my damned newspaper declares it a "war" in print. I've been yelled at more for riding in the last three days than the entirety of the previous year. I think I may beg editorial to just forget the "public service" next year. On the ride home I cross at a light and was on the last "block" and had this guy in a van, with whom I had no interaction at all just spewing hate and spit, all red faced... I thought he was going to pop something, ranting about how I shouldn't be on the road, effin' bikes...effing up Jarvis for all the ppl that work...... nuts I tell ya.

Keith glad you're OK!!!! You gonna be alright for Friday?

A couple of years ago I was in a car going by MEC and I saw a guy taking a hacksaw to a bike-lock in their bike stand area. It was probably his and he lost the key or something but I fished out a MEC receipt from my wallet and gave them a call anyways. The guy at the desk ran out to find out what was going on. I doubt I stopped a bike thief but I couldn't not do something.

I remember talking to Bikeophile once many years ago and he was saying how he came out from shopping at MEC and his Brooks saddle was completely loose in the seat-post clamp. Someone had been about to steal it and had been thwarted for whatever reason. The next time I was at MEC I dropped a note in their suggestion box about cameras and they got back to me via email in a couple of days and said they would think about it. They put up cameras a month or two later, I guess enough people had had stuff stolen that they needed to do it. Sucks that cameras are necessary but yeah, there ya go.

I really like how all the hospitals have secure bike lock-ups for their employees, I wish every building did. Many do but many don't.

It's a shame how so much debate occurs before individual bike lanes are created. This gives far too much time for hatred to ferment. They should just plan and debate a whole phase first, then go at it the following year to implement the plan wholesale. Most people will have forgotten the debate by then.

Secure bike parking is sorely needed as a part of every place of employment. None of this 'fire code' crap excuses. I am rather lucky, in that to steal my bike at work, you must drive past a guardhouse and ignore all the signs with pictures of M16's on them warning about an armed response to intruders - one they're deadly serious about.

:lol: Well not everyone is lucky enough to work at the premier terror target in Canada.

Heh, that reminds me of the "Do you carry your gun on a ride?" thread from the Roadie forum. I love Americans but their culture is nuts.

Did you guys hear about that shop owner in Chinatown who chaseddown a shoplifter, tied him up and threw him into the back of a van? The owner was charged with kidnapping. I don't really have an opinion on the matter, but I will admit to smiling when I read the story and thought "that's old school justice"

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1154572/

Krusty, where do you work? I need some of those signs.

ahahaha... WTF.

Yeah...I just have to hang in the pits and pull all the guys that get spit off the back. My limping Quasimodo ***** should be able to handle it.

i don't get the jarvis thing.

WTF happens in winter?

how they gonna plow that?

i don't want to be in the center lane, wipe out and spill onto traffic on my left AND right..

is this a seasonal operative or what?

they are removing the center lane, and it would have regular bike lanes

oh okok.

wow with all the bike theft reports on craigslist recently, I want to draft up a few stickers that say "touch this bike and you will contract H1N1, SARS, AIDS, IMPOTENCE, ETC"

I think personal threats are the only solution...