Action Alert: Fine Increase & Added Enforcement for Bike Lane Parking infractions!
Monday, November 16, 2009 4:16 PM
From: "Toronto Cyclists Union" <info@bikeunion.to>

**ACTION ALERT: lend your voice in support of added enforcement for parking/stopping in bike lane infractions, and to double this fine from $60 to $120.

-- RE: Toronto Police Services Board meeting, Nov 19, 2009 --

The Toronto Cyclists Union will be making a written and in-person deputation asking that the fine for parking / stopping in a bike lane be doubled to $120, and that Toronto Police - Parking Enforcement be compelled to have it's officers begin prioritizing the ticketing of all manner of vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes throughout the city.

*-* Please take 5 minutes before 10am on Thursday November 19th to email your support for both of these requests being made on your behalf by the Toronto Cyclists Union. *-*

TO: alok.mukherjee@tpsb.ca, Joanne.Campbell@tpsb.ca
CC: <Hugh.Smith@torontopolice.on.ca>, <lpawlow@toronto.ca> , <fbalda@toronto.ca>, <info@bikeunion.to>

Subject: Bike Lane Parking Enforcement & Fine Increase

*Here is some text you can use - or compose your own:

As a cyclist (and occasional driver - if this is the case) in Toronto, I would like to express my support for an increase in the set fine amount for parking / stopping in a bike lane to $120.

Additionally, I believe that Parking Enforcement Officers should prioritize more rigorous enforcement of the no-stopping in bike lanes bylaw.

Cars, delivery trucks and buses parked in bike lanes are a serious threat to the safety of cyclists in Toronto. Cyclists are most vulnerable when they are forced to swerve out of a bike lane to go around motor vehicles stopped in the lane dedicated to the safe passage of cyclists.

Sincerely,
Your name
Toronto Cyclists Union member / supporter.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to help us improve cycling conditions in Toronto! This is a first, but very important step.

Cheers,
Yvonne


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Mailing Address:
Toronto Cyclists Union
@ Centre for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Ave, Suite 400
Toronto, M5T 2C7

Or send email to: info@bikeunion.to

Thanks for bring that to our attention. I sent the suggested e-mail, tailoring it and making it clear that I am an e-bike rider as well as a "conventional" bike rider. This is one area we can show support for the TCU..we're all cyclists. Here's my text if anyone is interested:
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As a cyclist, e-bike rider, and even occasional automobile driver in Toronto, I would like to express my support for an increase in the set fine amount for parking / stopping in a bike lane to $120.

Additionally, I believe that Parking Enforcement Officers should prioritize more rigorous enforcement of the no-stopping in bike lanes bylaw.

I took one ride a few weeks ago from Sherbourne and Shuter to St George and Harbord (about 4 km?) using bike lanes all the way. I counted the number of times I had to pull out of the bike lane because of parked vehicles. For this short trip, my count was 11! That's 11 times I was forced to join the automobile traffic and risk injury.

Cars, delivery trucks and buses parked in bike lanes are a very serious threat to the safety of cyclists in Toronto. Cyclists are most vulnerable when they are forced to swerve out of a bike lane to go around motor vehicles stopped in the lane dedicated to the safe passage of cyclists.

Sincerely,

Fred Dilkes
E-bike rider and Toronto Cyclists Union supporter
Toronto