The Toronto Cyclists Union

Toronto it seems didn't have one organization that represented the needs of all cyclists until it started one this spring.

The Toronto Cyclists Union created a buzz long before its launch at City Hall this Tuesday. It's modelled on the Canadian Automobile Association and if the CAA can be an advocate and offer benefits to its disparate car-driving members, the bike union hopes to do the same for Toronto cyclists.

They have some interesting tactics and ideas

To help achieve this, they're marshalling 44 "ward captains" representing each of the city's wards to be a link between local cyclists and the city council. "To make sure their voices are heard," says Meslin. "In the end, councillors respond to voters."

The union proposes to create a cyclists' roadside assistance plan, similar to the one offered by the CAA. Insurance, an online dating service for cyclists and a trailer-lending program for moving larger loads by bike may all be offered later.

they're starting a lock removal program – similar to the CAA's service of retrieving keys locked in cars. (Members have to prove the bike is theirs or register their bikes with the police to be eligible.) They're also offering cycling maps for members travelling to other cities, family-friendly social rides – a fund-raising ride up the Humber River Valley and down the Don Valley is planned, and celebrations every time a new bike lane is opened. "We're good at complaining and getting critical," says Meslin. "But how about a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a cake and patting the councillor on the back and encouraging him to do more?"

They're not quite as big as WABA (7000 members) or CBF (6100 members). CBF has a lot more employees than WABA.

the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has 6,100 members (up 29 per cent in the last five years), 40 full-time employees, about 1,000 volunteers, 2,000 miles of bikeways in the metropolitan region and a $3-million budget.

It's pretty sweet that TCU gets free office space downtown. The did a Pee Wee Herman Picture Show with a live performance of the movie featuring members of several big local bands.

Comments

[Peter]

Thanks for pointing out this article!

I remembered checking out the TCU website and when I saw their 'ward program' website implementation - I just thought it was totally awesome.

http://bikeunion.to/wards

You can pick your ward from the drop-down, or using an address search, or by clicking on a map.

And once you do that, you get this insanely awesome 'ward page' that has:
* a google map with the ward outlined on it
* the ward councilperson's name and contact info (email and phone number)
* a link to the ward's profile
* and link to local bike shops and bike 'user groups'.

It's totally ridiculous. It's one of the best activist ideas and implementations I've ever seen.

No idea if it'll be effective, but I know I love the concept.

:)

[joe]

I believe the organizers of the Bike Union got the Ward Idea from San Francisco - (sfbike.org?) which focuses resources according to needs in specific wards.

[Peter]

Thanks, Joe! Got a post going up soon.