Then there the groups (like this one?) that advocate for (and against) change...

Like this one:
Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT)

That state in their October 6 newsletter:
http://torontocat.ca/...

"TCAT's position is that bike lanes and bike paths should be used exclusively for non-motorized human-powered vehicles. We will be working with the City to implement this restriction and encourage other municipalities to do the same.
The Toronto Pedestrian Committee recently passed motions requesting that the city implement by-laws that prohibit e-bikes from travelling on sidewalks and from parking on sidewalks.
The permitted weight of an e-bike is 8 times as heavy as a typical bicycle (a bicycle weighs at most about 16 kilograms; e-bikes can weigh up to 120 kilograms) and the speed limit for e-bikes (32 km/hr) is twice as fast as the average speed of a bicycle (17 km/hr). "



Funny how folks don't see the errors in logic. Like the apple and orange comparison of maximum speed versus average speed of pedal vehicles which can travel a lot faster (and ebikers I am pretty sure do not travel around at 32kmh all or even most of the time...)

And overlooking that pedal bikes (including rider... there is usually a rider mounted on top?) usually weigh 100kgs and more with panniers and baskets full of cargo...

They will be shocked to hear the "permitted weight" of an automobile?

Lloc

LOL, shhhhh don't tell them how much a Hummer weighs!


Well since I ride the scooter style. Let me try and fix their logic a little. I do agree, I think most us here agree that we shouldn't ride on the sidewalk. Be then the pedal bikes are there and they're also suppose to be on the road like us. So I'll say that the current laws just need to be enforced better.

Yes I can go 32 km/hr down hill. About 25 on flat. And 15 on a hill. And I'm going to stay in the bike lane. I don't see many peddle bikes on it. Because they're riding on the sidewalk beside the bike lane! I will only stay out of a bike lane when pedestrians stop jaywalking!

If the average speed of a pedal bike is 17 KM/hr. Why am I always getting passed by them? I myself can easily pass an ebike when I'm riding my normal bicycle and I'm just your average rider.

My guess is that these people at TCAT have never even been on an ebike.....

....So Lock you're wrong, it's not like comparing apples to oranges, more like comparing oranges to cabbage, lol.

Then there the groups (like this one?) that advocate for (and against) change...

Like this one:
Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT)

When I look at TCAT's web site, on the Supporters page, they also list a number of Toronto area Cyclist User Groups. This may be off the wall, but would it make sense for us to join (or try to join) this list of "Supporters"? Certainly our activities are consistent with the TCAT mission - The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT) works to create a better city for cycling and walking.

This way maybe our input would be included in their "positions". Crazy idea??

Not crazy Fred... That's what I've been doing. At least, trying to contribute to some of the area online forums for cyclists:

http://www.ibiketo.ca...
http://bikingtoronto....
http://www.tbn.ca/...

...and some organizations offer "News" pages and email newsletters that you can subscribe to as well:
http://bikeunion.to/m...
http://torontocat.ca/...
https://secure.toront...

Tks
lLoc

The weight of the bikes is absolutely no excuse for riding it on the sidewalk sorry. Gas scooters weight a hell of a lot more and have been around since the 60's and those riders have no problem walking their bikes on the sidewalk.

E-Riders need to check their head before doing something stupid like riding on the sidewalk. The only time I will go on a sidewalk is when there is not a single soul around and if I do I throttle it low at about 5km/hr. Its not hard.

In terms of lifting the bike this should be no issue. My bike is 220lbs and I don't have a single problem lifting it up a curb. If you can't lift your bike you can condition your muscles to build up strength either by hitting a gym or finding some cinder blocks laying around locally and use them to build up some muscle. If E-Riders do stupid things like riding on the sidewalk we could lose the right to park on them and that effects a lot more people than just us.

Not sure how long it takes the City to update w/latest Minutes...
loCk

Well, the minutes have been posted (approved):
http://www.toronto.ca...

And here is the part that I missed (!)... how the item was "disposed of":

Motions
Motion to Refer Item moved by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Carried)
That the letter (September 25, 2009) from the Toronto Pedestrian Committee be referred to the General Manager, Transportation Services, for consideration.



Not sure how long the City's General Manager for Transportation Services gets to mull over the "issue"... no response as of the more recent meeting of November 3rd...

That'd be Gary Welsh btw... at 416-392-8431

And his email address is Welsh(at)toronto(dot)ca


Yah know... if anyone here wishes to take up the pen (wink wink nudge nudge)

lLoKc