Large Marge Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 wish me luck today...Toronto Cyclists Take Battle for Safe Streets to CourtCoalition of Bicycle Advocates Intervene in Court CaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wed. Oct. 8, 2008TORONTO: In what might otherwise be considered "strange bed fellows," Bloor merchants and cycling advocates are doing battle in the courts against the City of Toronto on Thursday Oct. 9th at 10 a.m. at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court), 130 Queen St. West.The case, first brought to the Ontario Superior Court in August by certain downtown merchants including William Ashley China Ltd., alleges that the City of Toronto violated the province's Environmental Assessment Act when it proceeded with the Bloor St. Transformation Project – along Yorkville’s so-called Mink Mile – and failed to properly consult the public or to study alternatives.“This is one of Toronto’s most valuable public spaces – a $25 million ‘transformation’ of that space warrants public consultation,†explains Margaret Hastings-James, a Bloor Street bike-commuter who began to advocate for bike lanes when hit, and nearly crushed, by a truck in 2002. “The huge volume of pedestrian and cyclist traffic in this area demands an allotment of dedicated and safe space.â€The intervening citizen advocate group called the Safe Cycling Coalition asserts that proper classification of the project would have allowed cyclists the opportunity to highlight provincial laws that direct municipalities to ensure the safety of all road users. Cycling advocates have long pushed city politicians for a bike lane on Bloor St. – one of the city's most heavily used, and most dangerous, cycling routes.“The Bloor St. Transformation Project does have some positive features for pedestrian traffic,†said Angela Bischoff, member of the Coalition. “Unfortunately the City has again forgotten cyclists. The word 'bicycle' didn't even make it into the reconstruction report. That’s not fair, and it’s certainly not safe.â€â€œThe battle for safe cycling conditions in Toronto has now reached a new phase,†said Albert Koehl, lawyer representing the group of cyclists. “The urgency of problems like global warming and air pollution means we can no longer tolerate old-school approaches to fixing our inefficient and dirty transportation system. Bicycles are zero-emission vehicles that deserve a safe space on our roads.†- 30 - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good luck marge!!imfoutin for yea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark tonin Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good luck with this Margaret!Peace, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schwa. Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good luck marge!!imfoutin for yea! What he said (i think) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbacon Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Go get 'em, Marge! imfoutin for yea too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Boy 2.0 Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 4th for the foutin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boiler Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good Luck Marge. It's been a while but I know how dangerous it can be around there on a bike. Stick it to 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Johnson Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 5 for foutin!Good Luck Marge!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briguy Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phorbesie Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 awesome, go get em. i didn't know you were hit by a truck, ouch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timouse Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 awesome, go get em. i didn't know you were hit by a truck, ouch!what she said. go get 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good luck Marge! Love ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister slippery Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 all the best Margaret."Let your light so shine before others,that they may see your good worksand magnify your glory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schwa. Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 all the best Margaret."Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and magnify your glory." I think that's what Hickster was trying to say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Large Marge Posted October 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Foutin good times yesterday! 7 hours in court discussing the exciting structural intricacies of Municipal Class Environmental Assessment requirements. Who-ah! It was actually really interesting to me, and watching high-profile lawyer Clay Ruby in action before a panel of 3 Superior Court Judges was something else.I highly recommend a visit to Osgood Hall at Queen & Uni if you haven't seen it before. Absolutely gorgeous building. Beware - full search with metal detector & cops at front entrance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Funk Dawg Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 good work Marge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Thats where im working Marge, were doing all the construction on the front of the builing, were putting in a giant granite handicap ramp and soing some sandstone restoration and such Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boiler Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Beware - full search with metal detector & cops at front entrance.I hope you weren't trying to sneak anything in for recess were you? Seriously if I ever go before some superior court judges, I'll leave the 3 ought 6 at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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