A recent study by two University of Cincinnati professors, Rainer vom Hofe and Olivier Parent, has shown the importance of bike trails to increasing property values. The study focused on the Little Miami Scenic Trail which cuts across the Cincinnati metropolitan region in Ohio, and found that real estate value increased by $9 every foot closer to the trail. These trails also have a positive spillover effect for local governments by increasing property taxes.

This fall, Toronto will add approximately 30 km to the Finch and Gatineau hydro corridors and the Don Valley Trails. This is one of the largest expansions of Toronto's trail system in one year. When it's completed it will almost be possible to ride around the entire city on an off-road trail.

Hot on the heels of the Ontario Bike Summit and right next door in Kitchener, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (Canada) will host the first-ever Ontario Mountain Bike Summit. Mountain bike clubs, leaders, advocates, and decision makers are invited to attend for three days of networking, trailbuilding, problem solving, education, advocacy, and inspiration. More information and registration here.

The new racks on GTA buses are also opening up the countryside. Take transit to the edge of the city, and then cycle to parks and trails. A website devoted to integrating bikes and transit has put out an open call for cyclists to "test ride" the routes suggested on the site. Until July 13th, send in photos from your cell phone, or tweet and email pictures after you get home. More info here.

The Western Waterfront Master Plan Team is inviting the public to a
Combined Community Advisory Group Meeting and Public Open House to be
held
together on Thursday February 19th, 2009.  The meeting will be held at St.
Joseph's Health Centre at 7.00pm. 

For more information, contact:

Kiran Chhiba, Urban Designer
pA | planningAlliance
t  416.593.6500

Metrolinx is currently hosting community open houses about the
expansion of the Georgetown South Rail Corridor between Malton and
Union Station. Thanks to our readers for alerting us to the importance
of this opportunity for ensuring that space for active transportation
is provided for during the planning stages of this expansion. Metrolinx
needs to hear from the community that it's important to do so.

A couple of issues to consider:

In last week's TCAT News,
we reported that 5 kilometres of the Martin Goodman Trail are being
cleared of snow. Thanks to Daniel Egan in Transportation Services for
letting us know that there are actually two sections being cleared as
follows:

5.6 km from Northern Dancer (east of Coxwell) to Sherbourne Street; and
6.3 km from Windermere to Stadium Road.

Also, between Stadium and Spadina and between Sherbourne and Yonge
there are on-street bicycle lanes which are being cleared of snow as
well.