March 17, 2008
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Recent TCAT activities and news items:
- Metrolinx wants to hear from you - Active Transportation Green Paper consultation open until April 7
- Bike Summit 2008 - TCAT to bring leading bicycle policy experts to Toronto
- Jarvis Street Streetscape Improvement Environmental Assessment - Public Open House March 19
- Walk21 Community Conference - Presentations posted on-line
- Annette Street repaving - Another bike lane coming to Etobicoke
- Toronto Police Traffic Survey - Have your say
- Scarlett Road / CP Rail Bridge Environmental Assessment - Completed
1. Metrolinx wants to hear from you - Active Transportation Green Paper consultation open until April 7
Metrolinx has requested directly that TCAT and its supporters provide feedback on their Active Transportation Green Paper.
Help Create a Regional Transportation Plan
Metrolinx invites you, the staff and members of your organization, and your associates to provide input into a plan to create a seamless, integrated, sustainable transportation network in our region.
Metrolinx (the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) is developing a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a comprehensive blueprint for transportation in the urban area comprising the Cities of Toronto and Hamilton, and the regional municipalities of Peel, Halton, Durham and York.
If you want to help create the region's RTP, please visit our website to register: http://metrolinx-consult.limehouse.com/portal Our Green Papers will be posted on this electronic consultation site for comments.
Three papers are available now. Registrants will receive notifications of the posting of new Green Papers, polls, and surveys. If you choose not to register, you will not receive any automated e-mail notifications from us.
The RTP will fundamentally improve our environment, the economy, and our quality of life across the region by providing more transportation choices and better service. In parallel with the RTP process, Metrolinx is also developing an investment strategy to support and sustain the ambitious goals of the RTP, expected to be released in Fall 2008.
The solutions we need to find are both crucial and pressing in all of our communities. Please take the time to join our consultations and also forward this invitation to others who may be interested in contributing to the discussion. We want to hear from as many people as possible.
Building a better transportation system for the region will require some careful thinking and some challenging decisions. Your valuable input will help us make those decisions.
Rob MacIsaac
Chair, Metrolinx
According to the Metrolinx web site, you can submit your comments on the Active Transportation Green Paper up until April 7th.
2. Bike Summit 2008 - TCAT to bring leading bicycle policy experts to Toronto
Following on last week's special notice TCAT News e-Bulletin, TCAT is happy to announce an exciting project we've been working on over the past few months. With some help from our dedicated volunteers, the TCAT Steering Committee, and our sponsors, we have been able to plan an exciting one-day bicycle policy forum. The date is fast approaching, so check the Summit web page for updates on speakers and venue, and for registration details. We hope you'll be able to join us on April 25th!
*****
Join leading thinkers, practitioners and decision-makers who are on the fast track to creating bikeable communities. Bike Summit 2008 will be held on Friday, April 25th in Toronto.
Enjoy innovative and forward-thinking sessions that will:
- Share international and Canadian best practices and perspectives on putting policy into action.
- Build local, regional and provincial momentum and leadership for bikeable communities.
- Engage
key stakeholders on how to effectively implement policies and
strategies to realize and maximize the value of bicycling for
transportation, health, tourism, recreation, economic development,
energy conservation and the environment.
To register and for more information, please visit the Bike Summit 2008 web page by clicking here
3. Jarvis Street Streetscape Improvement Environmental Assessment - Public Open House March 19
Thanks to Spacing Toronto for the notice on this upcoming project.
The City of Toronto has started a Class
Environmental Assessment (EA) to study and develop streetscape
improvement plans and traffic lane modifications along the Jarvis
Street corridor from Bloor Street East to Queen Street East. The study
will be an opportunity for the public to provide input into a design
concept for Jarvis Street that will:
- Meet the aesthetic and historic objectives of the area
- Improve the streetscaping features
The first Jarvis Streetscape Open House will be held this week.
- Date: Wednesday, March 19
- Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Presentation at 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Canada's National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis Street, Town Square
To read the Spacing Toronto post click here
For more information visit the project web site by clicking here
4. Walk 21 Community Conference - Presentations posted on-line
Presentations from the March 1st Walk 21 Community Conference - co-hosted by the City of Toronto and TCAT - are now posted on the conference web site.
Some presentations are still waiting to be included, but should be available soon.
5. Annette Street repaving - Another bike lane coming to Etobicoke
Thanks to a tip from a certain TCAT supporter for alerting us to this news item. For the full story, see the Villager article Annette Street set for resurfacing.
This section of Annette Street - from Jane Street to Keele Streets is designated to have a bike lane in the Toronto Bike Plan. TCAT has checked with the City's project engineer and the current plan does include adding the bike lane. However, it is always a good idea to let your local councillor - especially if you live in Ward 13 - know that you support bike lanes and other streetscape improvements that enhance the safety and convenience of active transportation.
6. Toronto Police Traffic Survey - Have your say
Thanks to our friends at I Bike TO for posting information on the Toronto Police Services' Traffic Survey.
This questionnaire was designed to find out how you feel about traffic issues in Toronto, and the Toronto Police response to these issues. Your answers will be strictly confidential and your participation is appreciated.
To read the original I Bike TO post click here
To complete the survey click here
7. Scarlett Road / CP Rail Bridge Environmental Assessment - Completed
For those in the Scarlett Road / Dundas Street West / St. Clair Avenue West area of Toronto, the City has completed its Environmental Assessment to "address existing traffic safety and operational concerns and long term mobility needs" at this complicated and potentially dangerous interchange.
The recommended design includes two lanes in either direction with a bike lane on Scarlett Road.
For more information on the study report and how to submit comments, visit the project web site by clicking here
Cycling-related events:
If you know of other cycling or pedestrian related calendars to include, please let us know by e-mailing info@tcat.ca
TCAT News - Help spread the word!
TCAT is continually looking to increase its list of supporters. It helps to be able to say how many people and organizations support the work we do when we speak with City Councillors, City staff, and the media, or put out a publication. Please send this message to any groups or individuals you think would be interested in learning more about TCAT, receiving our weekly e-Bulletin, or volunteering with TCAT.
To learn more about TCAT, visit our web site at www.tcat.ca
To subscribe to TCAT News, click here
