Car Free Day
Car Free Days aim to be fun, free events encouraging people to get out of their cars and run, walk, cycle or take public transit. The central vision of Car Free Day is urban mobility that is not dependent on the private automobile.
International Car Free Day (CFD), celebrated every Sept. 22, first started in Europe in the 1990s and is a growing global movement celebrated in over two thousand towns and cities in over thirty countries. CFD is not anti-car, but promotes awareness of alternative forms of transportation and the public health benefits of more active lifestyles within reach to us all.
As well, CFD is about community building! The Sierra club can help neighbourhoods to organize their own community Car Free Days. Contact us about how we can help you make one for your neighbourhood. Call Kristina at 647-346-8744 or send an email to (kristinaj <at> sierraclub.ca)
You can also check out some interesting updates about this issue below.
June 2: Rally for pedestrian and cycling safety (Queen's Park)
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Wed, 2012-05-09 16:57Mega (fun) RALLY at Queen's Park for pedestrian and cycling safety. ... Read more »
North York Mirror editorial on bike lanes
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2012-04-13 15:51Interesting commentary on the Mayor Ford maneuvers to get rid of bike lanes.
***
From the North York Mirror, April 12, 2012
by David Nickle
The bike lanes that Toronto City Council voted to put in on Jarvis Street are, as they stand, a very nice addition to the downtown core. If they go away at the end of the year, it will be a little bit sad for cyclists and a little bit happy for some drivers; but in the end, life in the city will persist. It will remain just so.
All right, I admit that is a pretty bland opening for a column about one of the bigger wedge issues of the very wedgy Rob Ford administration. But it is perhaps a necessary tonic to counteract the hysteria about the lines that the David Miller administration drew nearly all the way to Bloor Street.... Read more »
The Walkable City: Neighbourhood Design and Preferences Travel Choices and Health
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Thu, 2012-04-12 14:41
This report is part of the "Healthy Toronto by Design" Reports that address several aspects that influence a city's quality of life.
Part of the executive summary:
This report summarizes the findings of a residential preferences study which examined the preferences of residents towards walkable and transit-supportive neighbourhoods and specific features of those neighbourhoods. It also examined how the travel choices, levels of physical activity, and body weights of residents are related to the walkability of their current neighbourhoods and to their neighbourhood preferences.2012 Complete Streets Forum at the Evergreen Brickworks!
Submitted by Shaima Al-Khalili on Mon, 2012-02-27 13:56
http://tcat.ca/completestreetsforum2012/
Is walkability, bikeability, mobility, or livability part of your work?
The 2012 Complete Streets Forum is TCAT's fifth annual active transportation conference taking place on April 23, 2012 at Evergreen Brick Works. The Complete Streets Forum represents a holistic approach to active transportation policy and planning with a focus on cycling and walking while maintaining the interests of other road users.
The Forum continues to develop the program of sharing research, best practices, and creative solutions for designing and implementing safe and inviting streets for everyone.... Read more »
A TO Councillor's perspective on transit issues: letter from Gord Perks
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2012-02-17 11:17Dear Friend,
Last week a group of 25 City Councillors, of which I was one, stood up for a better Toronto. By voting to build Light Rail Transit lines on Eglinton, Finch, and as a replacement for the Scarborough RT, we chose to invest in making Toronto a greener and more liveable City. We also stood up for sensible and affordable investments in transit.... Read more »
Toronto Transit plans saved from the trashbin - again
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Wed, 2012-02-15 15:33Historic Transit Victory!
On February 8th, Council voted YES to rapid transit for Toronto!
The morning started with nearly 24,000 petitions and letters from Torontonians asking for efficient, reliable rapid transit to be builtnow.
TTCriders members and TEA canvassers and volunteers collected thousands of letters and petitions over the last year - and our hard work paid off!
Click here to see how your councillor voted.
The vote on Wednesday was a great example of councillors from all over the city considering their residents, and voting for effective transit that will keep our air clean!... Read more »
Getting out of gridlock: The scramble to save the scramble & other adventures in TO transportation
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2012-01-27 14:54(From YongeStreetMedia.ca) How has the pedestrian scramble at Yonge and Dundas so managed to raise the passion and ire of Torontonians?... Read more »
Feet and Wheels Jan19th Yonge Street Speaker Series
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2012-01-13 13:57From www.yongestreetmedia.ca... Read more »
Tokyo Motor Show 2011 showing off some new "smart mobility" vehicles
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2011-12-16 16:22Like many people, I've loved a car or two in my day. There are great ones you may be lucky enough to own and some you just drool over in pictures. Someday, assuming I continue to own a car, I hope to have an electric or hybrid. The new models are have something for everyone: basic to super-Jetsons style.
The recently completed Tokyo Motor Show's website is dense and not image heavy. Thankfully Treehugger.com has posted some of the futuristic, wild-looking electric & hybrid car designs. The new pluggable Prius, Nissan's Leaf and a suite of Honda models, can be checked out online here: http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/cars/tokyo-motor-show-2011-exclusive-honda-next-generation-hybrid-electric-technology/?campaign=daily_nl
Torontonians: Act Now to Support TTC funding
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Thu, 2011-12-08 10:48From our friends at TTC RIDERS.CA...
Help Stop the TTC Service Cuts and Fare Hike
On Wednesday December 14th the TTC will vote to approve its 2012 budget. If this budget is not changed, we will be forced to pay more money for worse transit service next year.
This just doesn't make sense and it isn't right!
We need your help. The members of the Toronto Transit Commission need to hear from you. They need to be reminded that it's their job to do what's best for the TTC and its users. Service Cuts and Fare Hikes will do nothing to help the record number of Torontonians who use the TTC every day. Forcing transit riders to pay more to be squished on to overcrowded, less frequent buses will only keep people away from using the better way. We know it doesn't have to be this way.... Read more »
Mobility Pricing Stakeholder Forum - Nov.22
Submitted by Andrew Holownych on Fri, 2011-10-07 14:17Below is a message from our friend Marty Collier at Healthy Transport Consulting.
... Read more »
CarFree Cookbook - A toolkit from the World CarFree Network
Submitted by Andrew Holownych on Mon, 2011-10-03 09:29
... Read more »
TORONTO COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE CAR FREE DAY
(Toronto) Sierra Club Ontario, with the support of the Government of Ontario, is sponsoring community Car Free Day events in seven Toronto neighbourhoods on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sierra Club’s first celebration of International Car Free Day in Toronto. Saturday’s community events are on Delaware Avenue, Coady Avenue, Havelock Street and Condor Avenue. The Sunday celebrations take place on Cedarvale Avenue, Concord Avenue, north of Bloor Street and Concord Avenue south of Bloor.
International Car Free Day, September 22, is the focal point for the growing global movement that this year will be celebrated in 37 countries and 1,923 towns and cities. The European Union now has a weeklong observance entitled European Mobility Week. Car Free Day is an official program of the United Nations.
... Read more »
World Streets - Guadalajara: Sustainable transport, Sustainable cities 2011
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2011-09-16 10:52
World Streets
What happened in Guadalajara on the topic of sustainable transport, sustainable cities from 3 to 10 September 2011?
Draft in haste:... Read more »
Fredericton Car-free day Sept. 22
Submitted by Andrew Holownych on Wed, 2011-09-07 10:42Can you live without your car for one day of the year?
That's the test for Frederictonians on Sept. 22, which is World Carfree Day. The annual celebration is a project of the World Carfree Network founded in 1997 to promote alternatives to car dependence.
Fredericton Transit, Green Matters and the Regent Mall are partnering to promote the event by setting up information displays at the mall Sept. 22. Transit schedules and trail maps will be available. Active commuting prizes will be awarded courtesy of Regent Mall partners.... Read more »
Car Free Day's Across Canada 2011
Submitted by Andrew Holownych on Mon, 2011-08-15 10:04Car Free Days have spread around the world, and are happening across Canada as well. Read below about CFD events that have happened already, or ones that are coming up soon. In Toronto, there will be seven CFD events held on Sept.17th and 18th in various neighbourhoods.
Click here to see those locations. Contact SCO for more info on specific events.... Read more »
TAO holding meeting on election & transportation policy
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Wed, 2011-08-10 10:14TRANSPORT ACTION ONTARIO -- PRE-ELECTION PUBLIC MEETING
Ontario Political Parties on Transportation Policy: A Dialogue with Voters.
When: Thursday, September 8, 2011, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Metro Hall (55 John St., Toronto , rooms 308-309
Transportation issues have received little attention during recent provincial and federal elections. This is your chance to discuss this critical subject with working politicians.
Panelists
Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park and candidate for re-election. Current NDP Critic for Public Transit.
Frank De Jong, former leader of the Ontario Green Party and Green Party candidate for Davenport. ... Read more »
Complete Streets: It’s About More Than Bike Lanes
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2011-07-01 08:25Check out this video from Streetfilms. I found it via Yes! magazine (awesome mag!) It's about New York City redesign of multiple corridors involving changes in bus & bike lanes, redesign of on-street parking and islands for people. Even Gridlock Sam gives it his blessing.
Link doesn't work? Plug this into your browser: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/complete-streets-its-about-more-than-b...
Sierra Club Ontario welcomes new EDP intern Andrea Chan
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Thu, 2011-05-05 19:30SCO is happy to announce a new addition to the Chapter office: Andrea Chan came on board in April 2011 to work on the Environment & Diversity Project (EDP). With a background in Psychology, previous experience in program management, and a passion for sustainability, Andrea is excited to develop new strategies to bring diversity to SCO’s programming and team, from volunteers to staff to board.
One way in which SCO’s outreach activities can be broadened is with this year’s Car Free Day activities: Andrea will be helping new neighbourhoods and municipalities celebrate alternative forms of transportation and encourage more active lifestyles in their communities. 2011 marks the 11th year that SCO is supporting International Car Free Day programming in Ontario, and Andrea would like to make these events the most inclusive they can be!... Read more »
