Cycle Toronto: Think Bike Workshop

"Earlier this evening I had the opportunity to attend the Think Bike Workshop at El Mocambo. The City of Toronto and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands played host to Dutch bicycle planners yesterday and today."

Take the Lane: Rob Ford may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, Globe writer says

Take the Lane: Rob Ford may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, Globe writer says: "Toronto mayor-apparent Rob Ford is a 'pretty unpleasant piece of work' who may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, says Globe and Mail columnist Marcus Gee.

Gee was the closing speaker today at the Ontario Bike Summit here in Burlington, hosted and organized by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition."

One dies after ATV, van collide in Marmora - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

"One person was killed and another is in critical condition after an ATV struck a van on Highway 7 Friday night.

Central Hastings OPP said an ATV on Tiffen Rd. failed to stop at the highway around 8:15 p.m.

Both ATV riders were taken to Campbellford Memorial Hospital where one male died. The second male was taken to Kingston General Hospital and was in critical condition as of Saturday."

As trail users we aren't responsible for on-road activity but PLEASE take an ATV riding course and check out: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-life/trail-smart/ATV BEFORE using this equipment!

northumberlandnews.com / indynews.ca | Trent Hills' residents urged to help preserve waterways

"Residents of Trent Hills and the surrounding area who have a stream, pond or wetland on their properties, take notice.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) with Lower Trent Conservation and the Northumberland Stewardship Council host an information night on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Trent Hills Public Library, Campbellfor"

The Ontario Trails has also been a promoter of land and water preservation, for a full list of greenways and waterways see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=3&icon=canoeing.png

Cycle Toronto: Early morning bike ride along the Martin Goodman Trail

"A few weekends ago I went for a lovely early morning bike ride with my good friend Sam. We met up in the west end and biked down to the water so that we could go along the Martin Goodman Trail. The MGT is one of Toronto's best cycling paths primarily because it is separated from car traffic and affords the cyclist, inline skater, or jogger a stress free way to commute across town and take in the beautiful water front."

For a full list of trails in the GTA see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/greater-toronto-area/

Hike and Bike Top-Notch Terrain In Ontario This Autumn � : Blisstree - Tips, advice and insight with a personal touch

"For the adventurous cyclist who craves rolling hills or country lanes with stunning views of Lake Ontario, Northumberland County is just one of many areas to visit – its five looped routes of various lengths are the best spots to put that new road bike to the test. And more hard-core riders won’t be disappointed by the three challenging trail areas perfect for mountain biking in the Ganaraska and Northumberland forests. And the best part? There are always lodging options nearby, so no matter how far you roam, you can always put your kickstand down every evening at your home-away-from-home."

Mississauga.ca - City Hall - News Releases

"Join Mayor Hazel McCallion and Members of Council, in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), as they officially open the Etobicoke Creek Trail for cyclists and hikers to"

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-news-events-2/

GuelphMercury.com - Local - Canoe club helps clean river

"It’s not so much that members of the Waterloo Wellington Canoe Clue like getting their hands dirty.

But after a summer of paddling the Speed and other rivers along the Grand River watershed, sharing camaraderie and enjoying the peace and calm that the river gives, they felt it was time to give back."

Events - Harvest Ontario

"Spook Nights OCTOBER 22, 2010
Dare to walk the Spooky Trail or corn maze. Helping Support our 3 local hospitals."

For a full list of Ontario Trail Events see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-news-events-2/

Snowmobiling gets annual Boost

Ontario is supporting winter tourism by promoting the sustainability of snowmobile trails across the province. The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, has announced a $3 million winter tourism investment through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that manages and maintains snowmobile trails in Ontario.

Minister of Tourism to Address Snowmobilers

he Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, will be addressing snowmobilers on Friday, September 17, at a lunch of the 43rd Convention and Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Minister Chan is expected to make an important announcement about snowmobiling and winter tourism.

E-mail OFSC for more information: ofscmedia@dmaproductions.ca

Check out Go Snowmobiling any time for the latest in snowmobiling information, tips and safety. http://www.gosnowmobiling.org/contact.asp

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION - CANADA: Cyclists aim to change Ontario attitudes and laws

"For the past five years, hundreds of riders across Ontario have taken part in Greg's Ride, organized by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in memory of a police officer struck and killed while riding his bicycle."

Simcoe Article: Boaters paddle for heart health

"The first annual Paddle Rally for Heart, supporting the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, gets underway at 8:30 a.m. on Sept 18 at Centennial Beach Park. It continues until noon.

The non-competitive fundraiser encourages participants to use any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, rowing shell or dragon boat) to navigate a two-kilometre course. The registered charity is hosting the inaugural event in conjunction with the Barrie Rowing Club, the Barrie Canoe & Kayak Club and the Dragon Boat Club."

The OTC encourages all Ontarians to get out and get active! Do it on a trail - http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Juicy Mountain Biking Tidbits from Parks Canada IMBA Canada Ontario Rep Blog: All things IMBA Canada, ON

"This is a national approval only and mountain biking is not necessarily going to be approved at all Parks. In areas where it is approved locally, additional guidelines may be created. So if you happen to live near, ride in, frequent, or otherwise visit a National Park strike up a conversation with the staff, ideally the park superintendent, and let them know you’d certainly welcome mountain biking in their park.
National Parks in Ontario:
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Pukaskwa National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Fathon Five National Marine Park (probably not going to be mountain biking here )
Point Pelee National Park
St. Lawrence Islans National Park"

For a list of trails in National Parks - see http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/, then search by region and town for the park in that area.

Bear makes his escape from Champlain Trail Museum - The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA

"After touring the city of Pembroke most of Thursday, a two-year-old black bear has moved onto greener pastures.

When Don Lewis, senior fish and wildlife technician with the Ministry of Natural Resources, arrived at the Champlain Trail Museum early Friday morning to check the trap that had been set Thursday night, it was empty and the bear was nowhere to be found.


After a number of sightings around the city, the bear was finally cornered by officers from the Pembroke Police Service and MNR and he decided to perch himself up a tree on the museum property around 5 p.m."

Be bear wise! see: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/index.html

Ontario Trails Continues Long History of Supporting Safe Cycling

Letter to Norm Miller, MPP -

September 8, 2010

Dear Mr. Miller;

On behalf of the membership of the Ontario Trails Council (OTC) we welcome and endorse your effort to introduce a private members bill to improve cycling safety and the building of dedicated cycling lanes.

Since 2002 the Ontario Trails Council has worked with various partners, such as Velo-Ontario, Cycle Ontario Alliance, Bruce County, Manitoulin Island Economic Development, CAN-Bike, Chatham-Kent Trails Committee, Rainbow Routes, Walk and Bike for Life, Go for Green, Ontario Cycles, Toronto Cyclists Union and a host of others to advocate for cost effective cycling insurance, cyclist training for youth, dedicated cycling lanes and public awareness of the economic and health benefits of cycling.

Ontario Trails has made direct comment on the building of cycling friendly roads in North Bay, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and other places. Specifically, in 2003-07 we offered direct input recommending the building of cycling infrastructure as part of the Hwy 11 bridge construction at Hunter's Bay bridge development in Huntsville. We believe that the directive contained in your proposed bill to provide road access to cyclists, or other alternative, would have assured that project managers would have implemented our suggestions.

As a member of the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion we have often discussed in committee the benefits of on-road cycling and the use of an integrated recreational trails and cycling lanes as an alternative transportation strategy. We made these suggestions in support of the Metrolinx and GTA Greenbelt Development plans, and we ensured these recommendations were carried forward into the Provincial Policy Statement and the Ontario Trails Strategy.

In 2008 in a series of meetings with the Ministers of Finance, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Transportation, OTC repeatedly made request to make road improvements that see improved road longevity while providing a space for cyclists. It is our hope that your bill will be passed and thereby ensure an easier pathway for groups at the local and regional levels to implement safer cycling alternatives.

Best regards,


Mr. Patrick Connor, SSA, CAE, BA(H)
Executive Director
Ontario Trails Council
V.P. Canadian trails Federation
Director, National Trails Coalition

Pave highway shoulders for cyclists, Ontario urged

"The uneasy co-existence between rural cyclists and automobiles can be fixed, according to an Ontario politician, who is asking the province to pave the shoulders of its country highways.

Norm Miller, Conservative MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, says another metre of pavement would give the growing number of cyclists in Ontario some breathing room on the roads."

Run Off the Grid Trail Run | Canada | Ontario | September 25, 2010

"Ontario's race with the smallest footprint. Be a part of the first annual ‘Run Off-the-Grid’ trail run – Ontario’s greenest run offering some of the most breathtaking scenery the province has to offer. New to trail running or long distance running? Take part in the 'Learn to Trail Run', which encourages participants to walk, jog or run the trails at your own pace."

TransCanada Trail Partners with North Shore Communities on Lake Superior�|�netnewsledger.com

"TransCanada Trail (TCT) Ontario, in partnership with the Townships of Nipigon, Red Rock, Dorion, Shuniah, and Thunder Bay Tourism, is focusing on trail development in the region for the next year by hiring a full time trails coordinator.

Trails coordinator James Williams started work in early September. He will be building a regional trails committee serving the area from Nipigon to Pigeon River. The umbrella group will support the work of local trails associations. His first task, however, will be a feasibility study on converting the CN Kinghorn corridor between Nipigon and Thunder Bay into a multi-use trail."

Tour de Greenbelt: a fresh air festival on wheels | Fun Ontario newsletter

"The Tour de Greenbelt is a festival that combines healthy, active living and education in a family-oriented bike adventure. The Tour is a leisurely “stop and smell the Greenbelt” ride with activities before, during and after the ride. All ages and skill level can attend – just pick the distance and route that best suits you.

The ride takes you along a fully paved and marshaled bike ride through scenic countryside. Planned rest stops allow you to recharge and explore farms, lakes, parks, wineries, towns and other natural attractions. It’s a chance to enjoy fresh, local food, hear live music and the kids will enjoy special activities too. No planning on your part needed – just show up with your bike and helmet. They’ll even take care of providing you with snacks, beverages and a lunch."

Not near or able to get to the Greenbelt, try one of over 400 cycling routes in Ontario, see: http://ontariotrails.on.ca, then select on road or off road.