I was very upset at the culture of the automobile that has taken over Toronto last night. More specifically, I was upset at all the seemingly braindead individuals who almost killed me as I was biking home.
You would think that when it is dark and pouring rain, that drivers would be extra careful around a cyclist - but instead they were bigger asses than usual. I actually lost count (it was over 10) of how many drivers passed me with less than 6 inches of clearance... speeding... in the pouring rain.
I was so mad when I got home. Mad that drivers can be so damn selfish that they can't slow down for a few seconds to give cyclists some clearance and safety. Mad that I am biking all around the city, rain or shine, warm or cold, because I'm doing my bit to keep the air a little cleaner and the streets a little safer.
I'm doing it so my kids can breathe cleaner air and live in a safer city. I'm doing it so your kids can breathe cleaner air and live in a safer city. I'm doing it so the kids of drivers can breathe cleaner air and live in a safer city.
For my efforts, I am almost killed every single day.
This city is backwards. It is not following the transportation policies of great cities - world class cities like London, Paris, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco, just to name a few. These are cities who realize that a great, efficient public transit network as well as encouraging cycling and walking makes a city great and livable and world-renowned.
I am still upset about this, so in my role as a transit pioneer and cycling soldier, I give you this pledge - to do my best to break and destroy the dominance of the automobile in this city.
I am only one man, but I can do it with your help.
This blog, BikingToronto, was the start. Daily posts about bikes in Toronto - whether it's about what I'm doing, or events, or about things in other cities that we can emulate.
BikeFriday is the next step - let's get people paying attention to bikes once a month instead of just once a year during BikeWeek.
The next step is inevitable. There is always more we can do.
Bike every chance you can. Do it with friends. Be safe. Change Toronto.
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