Things might be getting better

When I started cycling, my commute was about 18 kilometers each way. I biked through some pretty hectic traffic and many people thought I was crazy. I guess you need to be a little nuts to drive cycle in a town that has actually reduced the total kilometers dedicated to cycling infrastructure.

Add to that the fact that there is open hostility towards Bicyclist in Toronto. Mostly from guys like this

http://www.news1130.com/files/2013/05/mayor_ford_350-188x250.jpg

Here is an example of open hostility towards Toronto Cyclist during a council meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nySs1cEq5rs

And if you think it's just politicians, check out the video that shows just how little regard car drivers have for Bike Lanes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQTNhTFFKXA

Every so often though, I get a little optimistic about the state of cycling. For example, it would appear that despite the reduction of dedicated bicycling infrastructure there is a growing trend towards two wheels as a viable mode of transportation. Strange that more and more people are bicycling, yet the city of Toronto is doing less and less to support this mode of transport.

Or maybe not. Meet the new Manager of Cycling Infrastructure

Photo from the Toronto Star

Her name is Jacquelyn Hayward Gulati and if you bike in Toronto you should be excited about her being named to the position.  She has done some great work with the Mississauga cycling infrastructure that has resulted in the City of Mississauga winning a bunch of awards for cycling infrastructure and fostering smart commuting.

These two pieces of news are the things that make me think maybe cycling in the GTA will finally be taken seriously and be embraced by the city and its citizens. Of course, I've thought this before so we'll just have to wait and see.

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