A crowd of cyclists including members of the Toronto Cycling Committee (TCC) showed up to a media event to show their support for full funding of the Bike Plan. Also there lending their support were Councillors Olivia Chow (Trinity Spadina) and Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).

Media Coverage of the event was good. I saw news stories on City TV, Global, and CTV. The Toronto Star also did an article.

Speaking at the event were the co-chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee: Nina Koskenoja, Stephen Fisher and City Councillor Olivia Chow as well as Linda Chen, a cyclist who had been injured by a car in an accident last year.

Olivia Chow explains to reporter why Toronto needs to fund Bikeways.

Stephen Fisher with daughter Holly Ann tells of his brush with a Car

This is a critical time for the Bike Plan budget as the recommendation of the standing Committees are passed on to the Budget Advisory Committee for review. The Bike Plan has garnered Support at the standing committee level. The fact that the media has picked up the story should help to build momentum as we move into the next phase of the budget process.

Martin Koob
tcc-rep@tbn.ca