The first poll was inconclusive (no entry getting more than 22% of the vote), so the vote for the possible name of the Magazine for the Toronto Cyclists Union is going to a Round Two, with only 6 choices:
I've emailed the Cyclists Union already that "Ring & Post" should actually appear as "Post & Ring" as that is not only the name of Toronto's BikePosts, but was how it was phrased in the original submission.On January 31st, we posted a poll to help name Toronto’s new bicycle magazine. Published by the Toronto Cyclists Union, the magazine is set to launch this spring during Bike Month.
Over 1,200 people voted and over 100 passionate comments were posted. Opinions were mixed and none of the names surpassed 22% of popular support. So, let’s move on to round two. Velove, Velocipede, Cog & Spinster have been eliminated from the race. Due to popular demand, we’ve added a new suggestion: Ring & Post.
The Poll and more on Spacing Toronto.
In case you've missed it, the Toronto Cyclists Union is running a poll over on Spacing Toronto to find what is a popular name for their magazine which is slated to launch in the spring.
In a day and a half, the poll has gotten 1000+ votes and 80+ comments! Woah!
I personally suggested "joyride", but a commenter has suggested a name that has gotten a lot of support in the comments: "The Post & Ring", which I think is fantastic. "Post" conjures up newsy things, "Ring" can refer to the bell that most people have on their bikes, and is often sounded at cycling advocacy events, and together you have the iconic Toronto bikepost!
I also started a forum topic about this in the BikingToronto Community, if you want to discuss it further.
[top image courtesy of Spacing, bottom image by lostpup]
The Toronto Cyclists Union is looking for a name for their new magazine. After getting over 250 names, they've whittled the list down to 11 - and now want your vote on what sounds the best to you.
My personal favourite from the list is "Joyride" (partly because it's my submission, and partly because it's positive, evokes nice imagery of people having fun on bikes, and captures the feeling we all feel on a bike!), but I have to say that Dandy Horse, Kickstand, and TrackHopper (as in streetcar tracks) are very catchy too.
Check out the poll and let them know what you think.
How is this for a nice coincidence:
I was just about to post about a big interview given by Dave Meslin about the Toronto Cyclists Union to Darren Stehr of Toronto Cranks, when an email from "Mez" appeared in the BikingToronto Inbox:
Darren Stehr has posted a super-long interview about the Cyclists Union on Toronto Cranks. He put a lot of thought into the questions and the result is a really comprehensive snapshot of what my plans are for the group. He also added some poll questions the end, to allow people to give some feedback to the bike union proposal.Here's a snippet from the big interview... make sure you have some time to read all of it:
Q: You have had success in several different projects like Spacing and City Idol. How will the work you have done on those projects help you with the Bicycle Union? What will be different?
A: I approach all my projects with the same method. First I assume that apathy is a myth and that people truly care about their city, their neighbourhoods, their health, etc. This is the main mistake that most non-profits make. They develop their plans based on the notion that apathy is the dominant political sentiment. Second, I identify an area that is in dire need of improvement, and has a clear community of people who feel strongly about the issue. In one case, the city is implementing a public space policy of privatisation, with devastating effects on our visual environment and basic values of freedom of speech and diversity of expression. In another case, electoral politics has become scandalously bland and people are hungry for something new that is political, smart, relevant and fun, all at the same time. In this case, we have a city that treats cyclists like crap. There’s a lot of talk about bikes at City Hall, but little action. People are angry. They demand more. They want it now. I’m planning on tapping into that energy with the same strategy that I’ve used with my other projects: Think big. No compromise. Make it fun. Make it sexy. Fight for real change. Operate within a hybrid model that combines of professionalism with gutsy creativity. Break the rules. Celebrate victories. Build momentum slowly and methodically. Always bring snacks to meetings.
More on Toronto Cranks.
BikingToronto is fully behind the upcoming Toronto Cyclists Union. It looks like it'll be a great advocacy organization for cycling in Toronto!
They have just released their December Newsletter (PDF):
- Help us name Toronto's newest Magazine!
- Drupal Code Sprint - January 13th
- Snow in the bike lanes
http://www.torontoenvironment.org/files/Ultrasound_December.pdf
BikingToronto is fully behind the upcoming Toronto Cyclists Union. It looks like it'll be a great advocacy organization for cycling in Toronto!
They have just released their November Newsletter (PDF):
Toronto Cyclists Union - November 2007 Ultrasound
* A new magazine for Toronto bicycle riders!
* Our new home at TEA
* Building bridges with other organisations
* Quote of the month
* November's headlines
Download the newsletter here:
http://www.bikeunion.to/Ultrasound_November.pdf
This morning, Dave Meslin of the Toronto Cyclists Union appeared on The Current on CBC to discuss efforts to give cyclists a larger voice in the political process.You can listen to the Real Audio File of the program on the Current site.
Launching in the spring of 2008, the Toronto Cyclists Union will be Toronto's first membership-driven bicycle advocacy organisation. They are looking for people to help out with:
- General volunteering - Physical/Outdoor
- General volunteering - Administrative
- Graphic design
- Illustration
- Event planning/management
- Web design (Front End)
- Web backend (Drupal)
- Photography
- Fundraising
- Bike mechanic
- Research
- Writing
- Editing
- Video
- Construction, renovations, painting
- Legal
You can find past issues of their newsletter there too (PDF files):
- Sept 2007 Newsletter - CONCEPTION
- Oct 2007 Newsletter - ADVOCACY
Just building on the post from this morning about the Globe article and the Cyclists Union...
This article has brought up a lot of interesting discussion about how the "mainstream media" portrays cycling issues and those who care about them.
I personally think the Globe article was generally good - cycling issues are generally a "marginal" topic as most mainstream media writers and readers can't relate to the issues very well.
What do you think of the article?
What do you think of the Cyclists Union idea?
You can check the Spacing Toronto post where there is a lot of comments about this, or comment here on this post, or add your thoughts to a thread about this in the very new BikingToronto Forum.
The Globe & Mail had a large article in the "T.O." section on Saturday (you can click the side photo for a larger view of the 1st of 2 pages it was on) about the efforts of Dave Meslin in putting together the upcoming Toronto Cyclists Union for next spring:
Mr. Meslin is clear and persuasive when he outlines the union idea over hot chocolate and a yogurt - eaten with a metal fork because it is the only reusable item available - in a coffee shop near his advocacy base three blocks away from City Hall, in the office of the Toronto Environment Alliance. As he sees it, the city needs to make cycling safe and practical. To push that agenda, the city needs a representative group that clearly speaks on behalf of cyclists.
"All the elements are in place. It just needs a kick start," Mr. Meslin says. "...We have tens of thousands of voters who ride bicycles."
The Cyclists' Union will have member dues, annual elections, policies and a representative in each of council's 44 wards. There could be membership incentives and discounts, bike-trailer rentals and even a roving cycling-repair team, à la the Canadian Automobile Association.
Personally, I liked the tone of the article... summed up here:
Mr. Meslin says the time has passed for "activisty" models of cycling advocacy, where gimmicks are used to gain attention. "It's time for the bike community to develop a more mature aesthetic." Or, to put it more simply, it's time for cycling to grow up.
More at the Globe & Mail.
(photo by Himy Syed)
Via the BikingToronto Inbox, a message from the still developing fetus of the Cyclist Union. Fathered by Dave Meslin, the bouncing baby is due in Spring 2008.
Dear friends,
The Toronto Cyclists Union is 8 months away from delivery and appears
to be developing in a healthy manner. Your support has been very
influential and has ensured an enjoyable beginning to our first
trimester. Your cards, presents and warm wishes are greatly
appreciated.
The overwheming amount of support we have received is also an
indication of the future success of the Cyclists Union. This project
will only work if we have the support and active involvement of
thousands of cyclists, beginning in June 2008. Early indications of
support are positive and we are proud to announce that the Ultrasound
Facebook group has attracted close to 800 members in just a few weeks
making it the largest bicycle-related Facebook group in Toronto.
In this newsletter we'd like to share with you our primary goal as an
organization: advocacy. Although we will serve as a "service club"
for cyclists, we will also be working every day to improve riding
conditions in our city to make sure that your ride is safer and more
enjoyable. We are modeling our organisation after the Canadian
Automobile Association (CAA) which promotes itself as a service club
but actually spends a significant amount of resources on advocacy,
pushing governments to build more highways, wider streets, etc. It
seems that no one has informed them about global warming or basic
congestion theories which explain that more roads simply increase the
number of cars leading to increased congestion. Just two weeks ago,
the CAA was in the media speaking out against the proposed east-west
bikeway in Toronto. No problem. We can play the same game. The
Cyclists Union will be a loud voice, supported by our members,
countering the message of the automobile lobby groups. Lucky for us,
we have both public opinion and science on our side.
The Toronto Cyclists Union will work hand-in-hand with other
organizations and individual cyclists to ensure that bicycles are
taken seriously by City Hall politicians and planners, as well as the
media. We'll focus our attention on the installation of new bike
lanes, improved signage, maintenance of existing infrastructure and
enforcement of bikelanes. Think how much money the City could make
if they actually ticketed every car found parked in a bikelane!
Most importantly, we want to promote Toronto as a Bicycle City.
There is a misconception that cycling is only a "downtown" issue.
The truth is that people ride bicycles in every neighbourhood in
Toronto and it is the non-downtown riders who are most in need of new
infrastructure. The Cyclists Union will be a city-wide project, with
44 Ward Captains acting as a liaison between the bike union, local
bikers, the local Councillor, city planners and local media. If you
live in North York, Scarborough, York or Etobicoke and you're
interested in being a Ward Captain, please get in touch with us soon.
Over the winter we will be developing a comprehensive political
mandate that clearly describes our vision and goals for Toronto. If
you wish to submit ideas for this document, please send us your
thoughts in an e-mail.
Thanks again for your continued support! Stay tuned for the November
Newsletter which will contain an exciting announcement.
Bikelovers can subscribe to this newsletter by sending an e-mail to
[email protected].