“I wish the city, specifically along College Street and Bathurst, would erect signage for bikers,” said Tammy Thorne, a part-time political science students.
“We’ve got gridlock and angry, frustrated drivers. Roads [are] in bad repair. Parking is hard to find and we’re having record numbers of smog days-and people dying of smog-related illnesses. We need to voice this to pressure change.”
This Friday, Worth will be leading a column of cyclists on Queen Street West, as part of a new monthly event to encourage bike commuting in Toronto. The event, called BikeFriday, debuted last month, and was the brainchild of cycling activist Joseph Travers. He was encouraged by the turn-out to the first BikeFriday.
“It was a great start especially since a CRFB reporter and City Councillor Joe Mihevc rode their bikes and got involved,” Travers said.
For the commuters who will be joining her at Queen Street West and Sorauren Avenue on Friday at 8 a.m., Worth has her own riding tips to offer.
“I try to go behind the motorist so he can turn right, unimpeded,” said Thorne. “But, of course I can only do this if the motorist indicates. It seems to be out of fashion to signal your turns these days.”
Late-risers need not miss out on the fun. At 6 p.m., bikers will congregate at the domino sculputures at Spadina Avenue and Bloor Street West for another monthly cycling event: Critical Mass.
It began in 1992 in San Francisco and has spread to over four hundred cities around the world. Cyclists join ranks traveling along downtown Toronto’s biggest streets until there are enough of them to occupy the whole street.
