still we ride!

TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES presents STILL WE RIDE

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2005
Ewart Angus Centre 1A1
7:00 pm


STILL WE RIDE is an action-packed glimpse into a shocking showdown between the monthly Critical Mass bike ride and police in New York City.

On Friday August 27, 2004 in New York City, just days before the start of the Republican National Convention, 264 people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and 'parading without a permit' during the monthly bicycle celebration, Critical Mass.

The ritual began in 1992 in San Francisco and has since spread around the world to over 300 cities. The August crackdown in NYC was the beginning of an ongoing effort to suppress free assembly for group rides.

The monthly cycle of arrests and bicycle seizures has forced the bike community into a legal battle with the city and politicized the very act of riding a bike.

Co-director, Andrew Lynn, will be on hand to present this 37-minute documentary along with a collection of short bike videos from around the world. Q & A welcome.   In a brief talk and slide presentation, Andrew will provide a context for the documentary by highlighting terminology, expanding on related events, and providing the audience updated information about ongoing court cases and the continuation of monthly arrests.

Though the tactics of the NYPD against Critical Mass might seem like a somewhat isolated and case of police harassment of bicyclists, it has far-reaching implications. Still We Ride just might be a wake-up call to those who still believe we are living in a free society.

Information on the campaigns to stop the arrests will be available. NYC's cycling community hopes that people can report back to their own networks and communities to build cyclist solidarity around these issues.

You can find more info at the Still We Ride website: www.stillweridethemovie.com

Cycling in Hamilton: What are we waiting for? 

Transportation activists Sara and
Daryl

Nov. 8, 2005

rough notes from presentation and discussion

Guests Hart Solomon and Brian Applebee (City Staff)

Heard from Brian Applebee and Hart Solomon, City of Hamilton staff:

• there are still no full-time dedicated cycling staff positions at city
• Shifting Gears Cycling Plan will be updated
• Funding for on-street cycling infrastructure remains $300,000/year
• some projects identified as "on the books"?
• Stone Church
• York Blvd
• King Street West
•  Hatt Street (Dundas)

TLC volunteers Jeff, Russ and Rob enjoying chat
and treats after presentation

York Blvd. - likely date for Environmental Assessment open house - Dec. 8 - no location/time given yet. Brian Applebee said the project would be completed in time for the 2006 cycling "season." This might be pathways on both sides of york, or on street bike lanes from dundurn to burlington border. (Burlington might upgrade their bike lanes on Plains Road)
King Street West - looking at how to bring the contra-flow lane further into westdale - problems with HSR bus stops.
Hatt Street - Dundas BIA opposes bike lanes on Hatt due to loss of a few free parking spaces - Other projects - looking good for:

• North Service Road linking Niagara route with Confederation Park - series of low-volume on-street route combined with paved shoulder on N. Service between Grays and Fifty Road
• Lift Bridge - water front trail - both Hamilton and Burlington are ready to make a loop under the bridge using existing tunnels on either side of the canal - these would bring cyclists to the bay side of the lift bridge for a safe crossing from and back to waterfront trail.

students and faculty commenting on
bike map routes

CP Rail - ongoing, frustration with CP rail - no incentive for them to get onside to firm up the use of their lands for a continuation of the Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail across hwy 403.
Hunter Street EA two-way bike lanes between Locke and Wellington - held up by HSR possible relocating to the GO Station on Hunter
Mountain Access - a suggestion from Daryl, Sara and Jeff about using an existing road allowance at John Street?
- Sherman access discussed - suggested moving lines to make room for bikes going up hill.
Bike racks on buses - still waiting for HSR to relocate Darts and make room for buses with racks