Sadly there has been another cyclist killed in Toronto. Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists(A.R.C.) is planning a memorial for Monday Sept. 18th, 2006. You can see more details on their web site www.respect.to.

I haven't seen details of the crash to indicate whether or not side guards on trucks would have prevented this death. Regardless the issue of truck safety for cyclists needs to be addressed.

Jacob Allderdice has posted an article on this tragedy on his blog site the ALLDERBLOB.

A report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information has released a study on head injuries in Canada that found that the number of head injuries suffered by cyclists has decreased in the 10 year period from 1994 to 2004. The report states that the largest decrease was in children and youth between 5 and 19 years. The fact that other types of cycling related injuries have increased indicates that it is a significant decrease in this type of injury as noted in this quote from the report.

While cycling injury admissions (excluding head injury) have risen over the decade of study (from 3,512 to 3,790), admissions for head injuries have reduced significantly. Overall, head injuries due to cycling have significantly decreased between 1994-1995 and 2003-2004 from 1,507 to 815 (46%). The decrease in head injury admissions is seen most noticeably in children and youth (55%), specifically those between the ages of 5 and 19 years. However, there has been little or no decrease in cycling related head injury admissions in the adult population, and specifically no improvement seen for those aged 50 to 75 years.
(Head Injuries in Canada: A Decade of Change (1994-1995 to 2003-2004) - August 2006) - pg. 17

In provinces with province wide legislation, there is a 17% decreased risk of hospitalization due to head injuries when compared to provinces without legislation.
(Head Injuries in Canada: A Decade of Change (1994-1995 to 2003-2004) - August 2006) - pg.13

You can read the full report at the following link Head Injuries in Canada: A Decade of Change (1994-1995 to 2003-2004).

Today, June 12, 2006, the Toronto Police Services launched its annual cycling campaign with a new name and a new focus. Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility. This, I think is a response to criticisms from the cycling community of the old 'Cycle Right' campaign which they felt would focus primarily on issuing tickets to cyclists for minor infractions rather than focussing on the actions of motorists that endanger cyclists. The wording of the press release describing this campaign focuses more on the actions of motorists, such as dooring or parking in bike lanes, and and speaks of sharing the road. The press release is quoted below:

Traffic Services officers are gearing up their traffic safety efforts to ensure motorists and cyclists share a peaceful coexistence on Toronto roadways.
The week-long Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility traffic safety initiative is aimed at making cyclists and motorists safer by stepping up education, awareness and enforcement.
The June 12-18 campaign is the second part of a year-long traffic safety strategy, Operation Safe Journey.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” Traffic Services Sgt. Brian Bowman said, of the campaign that aims to get drivers and cyclists communicating.
...(more)

At its last meeting on May 15th, 2006 the Toronto Cycling Committee (TCC) discussed the topic of truck safety in relation to cyclists. One of the issues discussed was what measures the City of Toronto could take to prevent the type of accidents where cyclists from fall under the wheels of a large truck or transport trailer. (See previous article) At the end of that discussion the TCC made several recommendations to the Works Committee of Toronto City Council. You can see those recommendations here Item 12a - Truck Safety in the City of Toronto.

On Wednesday June 7th, 2006 the Works Committee will consider the TCC's Recommendations along with a staff report on the issues. You can see the staff report at the following link: Large Trucks and Cyclist/Pedestrian Safety. The one recommendation coming out of the report is that "City Council reiterate its request to Transport Canada that it develop national design standards and regulations for side guards on large trucks." Passing legislation requiring side guards on trucks is the responsibility the Canadian Federal Government. Having the City of Toronto add its voice to those of cyclists who have been submitting petitions asking for this regulation would support the efforts of Olivia Chow M.P. Trinity-Spadina who is planning to introduce a private members bill on the subject of truck side guards. (See previous article)

There may be other things that the City of Toronto can do which are under its jurisdiction to try and reduce the number of collisions between trucks and cyclists. ...(more)

On May 29th, 2006, Oliva Chow, MP for Trinity Spadina and former Councillor and Co-Chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee, spoke to the assembled crowd of cyclists whom she had been riding with in the Bike Week 2006 Group Commute. She talked about the issue of side guards on large trucks (also called side underrun guards or side underride guards). There she announced that she was planning to introduce a private member's bill in the Canadian Parliament that would ask for an amendment to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act that would require large trucks to have side guards to prevent cyclists and pedestrians from being pulled under the rear wheels. You can read more about this issue in the previous article Time for some action on truck side guards. She also encouraged cyclists to sign the petition that was circulating asking the federal government to mandate side guards to lend support her effort. You can download a copy of the petition at the following link to print it off and start collecting signatures. Truck Side Guard Petition When you have it filled you just mail it in postage free to Olivia's House of Commons address which is on the petition.

Olivia Chow MP Trinity-Spadina announces at Bike Week Kick off event that she will introduce a private member's bill on truck side guards.

On May 31, 2006, Ms. Chow presented the first group of petitions that she has received in parliament. The following is the Hansard quote of her comments as she introduced them.

The death of two cyclists on April 20, 2006 in two separate accidents involving trucks has been discussed over the past three weeks in local blogs, on the news and in the papers. A common cry in all of these discussions is that there need to be side guards on trucks like there are in Europe. If we want to see action taken on requiring side guards on trucks we have to go beyond discussion and try to kick start the legislative process that is needed to make side guards a reality.

There have been many calls for the City of Toronto to do something and there are things that fall under their remit that can be done to address the problem. This coming Monday May 15th, the Toronto Cycling Committee will be debating motions asking the City of Toronto to pursue a number of measures. (See item 5 from Safety and Education Committee minutes- April 24, 2006.). However it is the Federal Government that has the power to pass legislation requiring side guards on trucks, so an equal or greater focus of activists should be at this level of government.

I was not familiar with the processes of the federal government with respect to getting issues on the agenda, so I turned to a local Toronto MP Olivia Chow, MP Trinity-Spadina, the former chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee, for advice on how to bring this to the attention of the Federal Government. She advised me that a petition is the best way to get the issue on the agenda. Petitions can be presented in the House of Commons by an Member of Parliament. Parliament would then forward them to the Transport Committee. Ms. Chow is an associate member of that committee and is interested in pursuing this issue. She could then follow up on the request for action there. Ms. Chow's office advised me on the format of a petition to the House of Commons committee and I then did some research to put together the petition which I will summarize below. You can download the petition here and start collecting signatures. As soon as your sheet is full, mail it in to the address at the bottom of the petition, (Postage Free) and start on a new one. Truck Side Guard Petition. Please ensure that you sign your name and not print it. This is a requirement for it to be a legal petition.

CORONER'S RECOMMENDATION
The Coroner's report: A report on cycling fatalities in Toronto 1986 - 1998 of 1998 recommended that Transport Canada investigate the feasibility of requiring large trucks to have side guards. The recommendation is below.

H. Large vehicles and bicycles

Recommendation #15

That Transport Canada investigate the feasibility of requiring "side guards" for large trucks, trailers and buses operated in urban areas to prevent pedestrians and cyclists being run over by the rear wheels in collisions with these large vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE MECHANISM TO CHANGE REQUIREMENTS

As it states above, the Federal Government's responsibility is to set standards for vehicles manufactured or imported in to Canada. These are under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada. ...(more)

One of the cycling education programs that the City of Toronto offers is CAN-BIKE. There are courses for all ages and levels of cyclists: kids or adults who are just learning to ride; occasional cyclists who want to learn defensive cycling skills; experienced cyclists who want to become CAN-BIKE instructors. CAN-BIKE is a nationally standardized program with the standards set by and the instructors certified by the Canadian Cycling Association.

The courses offered by the City of Toronto are:

You can see the full description of the courses, the course requirements and the schedule for the courses at the City of Toronto's 2006 CAN-BIKE course schedule web page. This has information on the dates, locations and fees for the courses. The courses are also listed in the City of Toronto's Fun Guide on the last page of the 'Sports' section. The Fun Guide has the information on how to register. You can also register on-line at the following site: Toronto FUN

If you are an experinced cyclist who has completed CAN-BIKE 2 you could become a CAN-BIKE instructor and earn some cash over the summer. The City offers CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshops which are also listed in the 2006 CAN-BIKE schedule. You can find more information about this here Become a CAN-BIKE Instructor.

If you have wanted to start cycling or improve your skills this is a great opportunity to become a better and safer cyclist.

On November 4th, 2004 the Ontario Legislature gave second reading to Bill 129, a bill that would amend the Highway Traffic Act to make helmets mandatory for all those who ride a "bicycle, scooter, skateboard or other vehicle powered by muscular power" on a highway. It also would require those who "in-line skate or roller skate" on a highway to have a helmet. The effect of the bill is to extend the the current law to cyclists over the age of 18 and to users of other forms of human powered transportation. This bill now is being referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy of the Ontario Legislature. Generally, after second reading a bill goes to a committee which considers it, makes amendments and then refers it back to the full legislature for third and final reading. A part of that process can be to have public hearings on the issue.

On Monday November 15, 2004 the Committee will decide whether or not to have public hearings into the matter. Several cycling organizations are calling for public hearings. Velo Ontario Cycling Alliance, a provincial organization representing cyclists (www.veloontario.ca), issued a press release outlining it's concerns and requesting public consultations on the issue. Their full press release is quoted below.

In the last week there has been debate among cyclists regarding this law. The VeloOntario discussion boards have seen many posts on the issueNovember 2004 Archives. I am sure that the MPPs on the Committee that will decide the fate of this bill are not pouring over the e-mail lists to inform themselves. It is important that cyclists have an opportunity to have this discussion with the members of the committee at public hearings. This can lead to improvements in the bill itself and in the regulations that will accompany the bill. If you want to add your voice to those calling for public hearings you can contact your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). If you know your riding you can go to the following web page to find your MPP: MPPs by Riding. You can also contact the members of the Committee who are listed on the following web page:Standing Committee on Social Policy. You can also send a copy to the Premier, Dalton McGuinty. Timing is important. Since the Committee meets on Monday, Friday, November 12th is the last day to put pressure on to get the public consultations.

Below is the Press Release issued today by Velo Ontario Cycling Alliance.

November 11, 2004

Millions of Ontario cyclists need to have their voices heard

Velo Ontario Cycling Alliance is calling on the provincial government to let the public speak on the proposed mandatory helmet bill for cyclists, skateboarders, and in-line skaters.

The province-wide association of cycling commuters, long-distance touring cyclists, recreational cyclists, and cycling skills instructors is responding to a new Ontario private member's bill (Bill 129) which would require all cyclists (of any age) to wear helmets. Currently, only cyclists under eighteen must wear helmets.

"Those citizens directly affected by the law: Ontario cyclists, have the democratic right to be able to speak to MPPs before the law is finalized and enacted," said Velo Ontario President David Hunt.
...(more)

Obeying the rules of the road is a good idea for cyclists at any time of the year. Stopping for stop signs and stop lights and obeying highway traffic laws can save your life. This week it can also save you money. I have received e-mails from 3 cyclists so far that have received tickets for not stopping at stop signs as part of the 'Cycle Right' campaign. The fine that came with these tickets is $110. Cyclists are required to obey the rules of the road just as cars are and face the same fines when they don't follow them. However, they should not get demerit points on their driver's license as long as the officer has not checked the box on the ticket that says "motor vehicle involved." If they have, you will get points and you have to contest that. More information on this can be found at ARC's Library website: respect.to/library. See the following article on Points: Cyclists and the law Part II

The annual 'Cycle Right' Campaign is underway for 2004. It will run from June 7th to June 20th 2004. 'Cycle Right' is intended to be an education and enforcement campaign for drivers and cyclists. In past years it seems the focus has been heavier on enforcement and more aimed at cyclists. In the 2003 campaign there were a total of 2229 charges laid during the two week period of 'Cycle Right.' Eighty percent of those charges, about 1830, were laid against cyclists. The charges were for offences such as not stopping at red lights or stop signs, riding the wrong way on streets, not having a bell or lights, not yielding at crosswalks, riding on sidewalks and others.

Last year the Toronto Cycling Committee took issue with the lack of attention to drivers who endanger cyclists by their actions and asked the Toronto Police Service to design their 2004 education and enforcement campaign to be more balanced and focus equally on offences committed by drivers such as opening a door in the path of cyclists or parking in bike lanes. The press release from the Toronto Police Services for the 2004 campaign and the following press conference seemed to indicate that those comments have been taken to heart. You can see the press release at the following link: Cycle Right Campaign Media Release. You can also listen to the June 7, 2004 press conference which kicked off the campaign at the following Toronto Police Service Web page: Toronto Police Media Briefing - June 7, 2004. The focus of this year's Cycle Right campaign is outlined in the following quote from the press release:

The "Cycle Right" campaign will focus on drivers who endanger cyclist's lives with their driving actions, vehicles parking in designated bike lanes, and cyclists who compromise the safety of others using the roads and sidewalks by disobeying the rules of the road.

We will find out if this balanced focus is achieved when the campaign is completed and a report is issued on June 21st. In the meantime you can do your part to help out. If you see cars parked in the bike lanes around Toronto, contact Toronto Police and make a complaint. The number of the Parking Enforcement department is 416-808-6600. Call with the details regarding the street, which side of the street and the nearest intersection. If lots of cyclists call in with complaints during the two week period perhaps we can direct the attention of parking enforcement officers to the areas of concern.

One thing we learned at the Toronto Cycling Committee from the officers who have come to give presentation on 'Cycle Right' is these police campaigns are also intended to educate the rank and file police officers as much as they are to educate the public. Many feel that traffic violations of concern to cyclists, such as parking in bike lanes, have not been taken seriously. Darren Stehr, who runs the website www.getoutofthebikelane.com issued a press release outlining his frustrations with the lack of enforcement of these parking violations: Darren Stehr Press release - June 7 2004. The fact is that individual officers have discretion over which offences they enforce and which they don't. These enforcement campaigns are in part the Police Services administration's attempt to convince police officers to 'buy in' to these goals. Convincing the administration of the Toronto Police Service to announce that part of the focus of the 'Cycle Right' campaign is the actions of drivers that endanger cyclists is a first step in getting equitable enforcement. Getting the officers to 'buy in' is the second step. Perhaps public pressure by making calls to report violations can convince the officers that these are concerns that need to be looked at.

Martin Koob
tcc-rep@tbn.ca

A study has been published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) on the number of hospitaliztions due to bicycle related injuries. It shows, among other things, there was a 15% decrease in hospitalizations due to bike related injuries for children and youth between 1997 and 2002. Reports CIHI (See the CIHI news release.). The report also noted that there was an 11% decrease in head injuries for children aged 5 - 14 during this time period.

In Ontario it is mandatory for children and youth under the age of 18 to wear bicycle helmets when riding on the road or sidewalk. That law was enacted in October of 1995. The City of Toronto has been promoting helmet use by children as part of the safety spoke of the Bike Plan. City of Toronto: Bike Helmets The report draws no direct link between helmets and the reduction of head injuries, however it is good to see the numbers of head injuries decreasing.

Another interesting detail from the report is that Ontario is the province with the lowest rate of hospitalization due to bicycle injuries at 26.8 per 100,000 population. You can download and read the full report at the following site: tcc-rep@tbn.ca

This Wednesday March 17th, 2004, there will be a meeting to discuss bicycles and the law. It will be co-hosted by Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists (ARC) and Community Bicycle Network (CBN). ARC has a lot of information on cyclists and the law on their web site in the ARC Library. You can read up before the meeting and go with some questions or comments. The details of the meeting can be seen at CBN's web site www.communitybicyclenetwork.org. They are also in the e-mailed announcement from ARC that I have quoted below.

The Community Bicycle Network and Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists are co-hosting a panel discussion, followed by a question and answer period, on bicycles and the law. Lawyers Tim Gleason and Irene Ceric and paralegal Mac Scott will cover a range of topics including:

• Know Your Rights
• Fighting tickets in court
• Managing your lawyer
• Suing in small claims court
• What do to following a collision
• Highway Traffic Act and criminal charges arising from cycling

Date: Wednesday March 17 @7 pm
Location: Intersection, 761 Queen St. West

www.respect.to
www.communitybicyclenetwork.org

The Cyclometer is an e-mail newsletter that is sent out monthly by the City of Toronto. It is a monthly source of information about cycling issues and cycling progams in the City of Toronto. You can sign up to receive it by e-mail. The sign up web page is here: Cyclometer sign up page. The issues of the Cyclometer are also posted on the City of Toroto's web site: Cyclometer

The Contents of the September 2003 Cyclometer are quoted below

1. Bicycle Friendly Business Awards - October 9
2. York University hosts Bike Brunch - September 17th
3. Car Free Day - September 21st
4. Toronto Cycling Committee Meeting
5. CAN-BIKE Instructor Course
6. Dundas East Bike Lane Celebration - September 28th
7. 10-9 Day Celebrations
8. Watch for Bikes Stickers Available
9. CSA Helmet Safety Tour
10. BUG Profile: The Community Bicycle Network
11. City of Toronto's first BMX Track Opened
12. Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships
13. Ahead in the Bike Lane

Publishing the Cyclometer is one of the activites that falls under the Promotion spoke of the Toronto Bike Plan. It was originally published in 1989. At the Cyclometer web site you can see back issues to 1993. Back issues back to 1989 will be posted soon. This year, 2003, the frequency of publication has increased so that it is now a monthly newsletter.