Street Hogs vs Self-Important Jerks in Toronto as Cyclists Union is Born

Recently cylists in Toronto, Canada, took their activism to the next level, and got organized in a very public way:

The Toronto Cyclists Union provides a strong, unified voice for Toronto cyclists.

We are a membership-based organization bringing together cyclists from all across Toronto. 

We will work together with citizens, community groups, bike shops and the City towards the common goals of ensuring that cycling is a legitimate, accessible, and safe means of transportation.

The city has an excellent bike plan, yet the pace at which it has been rolled out is unnacceptable. The chain fell off, and we sense a shift in gears. We want to help.

Safe streets
A healthy city
A vibrant voice

Vision, Purpose, and Mission

A few days ago Nathan Whitlock, a cyclist, and motorist, wrote a thought-provoking essay, for the Toronto Globe  and Mail, inspired in part by the birth of the Union, and out of concern for the need for all sides to get along.

His piece is a powerful plea to both motorists, and cyclists, to share the road, and do what is required to modify destructive behaviors so eveyone can safely get to where they want to go, and ride where they want to ride.

His piece is written in the form of a dialog between driver, and cyclist, and here is how each section begins:

Dear driver:

As you well know, the relationship between bikes and cars in Toronto this summer has not been a happy one. Thus, as we head into fall - a time of new beginnings - I am offering up some etiquette tips for you and your fellow drivers. After all, given how much gas costs, you may find more and more of us cyclists out there on your morning and afternoon drives. The hope is that, by making a few things clear and by setting out some very simple guidelines, we might find a way to peacefully share the road.

...And already I see have introduced a term that may be somewhat alien to you: "share." How about we make that our first point?

Dear cyclist:

Thank you for your suggestions. I especially appreciate that you were able to deliver them without banging your fist on the hood of my car, ringing your bell incessantly, or loudly suggesting that I "learn how to drive!" You must be in a good mood - did the police finally find your old bike in one of Igor Kenk's garages?

In the same spirit of helpfulness, I will offer my own etiquette suggestions for you, with a similar hope that peace will reign on our mutual commute. And I'll begin where you did, with sharing.

For my part, there are 3 things that stand out in this piece:

1. Some bikers are like children, who want rights without responsibilities, freedom without restrictions. A stop sign is a stop sign is a stop sign, and the rules of the road apply to you every bit as to me. Earn your place on the road.

2. We ask you, ever so humbly, to accept our legitimacy, to not treat bikers like intruders upon your sacred stretch of pavement. 

3. Political change is rarely brought about by screaming righteously at some frightened commuter from Etobicoke in his Honda Civic.

As noted in the final line...

If motorists, and cyclists, can declare a general ceasefire, learn to get along, and sing a happy song in harmony, we can then better focus our energies on our shared enemy, "the real villains of the road": Pedestrians!

Um, hee, hee! ;-D

You can read the full dialog, here: People, people, can't we all just get along?