Yesterday, about 30 people took part in the last Critical Mass ride of 2024. A reasonable turnout considering the Holidays, while the 2’C temperatures and lack of precipitation made for great riding weather. Here’s a picture of the group at the start of the ride.
Alison Stewart originally announced the ride would go along Bloor, University, Richmond, Blue Jays Way, Wellington, Shaw, and back on Bloor to return to Matt Cohen Park. Since Jun Nogami (read his take here) didn’t ride the Avenue Road bike lanes yet, he suggested a minor change to take Bedford, Bernard, and Avenue before continuing on University. The final ride ended up being 11.5 kilometres per Google Maps.
Here’s the ride getting lined up on Bloor with Alison taking a photo.
Riding east along Bloor.
Unfortunately, my phone is not great taking photos at night, but here’s Ali leading the group on Bedford before turning right onto Bernard.
Here’s Jun riding the Avenue Road bike lanes for the first time.
Unfortunately, the Avenue Road bike lanes were still covered with snow. Given the overnight rain and temperatures expected to rise to 10’C later today, most (if not all) of the snow should be gone, but the lack of clearing is still unacceptable. Some police escorted us by vehicle and by bike, while they were handing out tickets to some vehicles who were blocking bike lanes later in the ride.
Regrouping at Avenue and Yorkville.
On Queen’s Park Crescent where some people who used Bike Share took the opportunity to redock.
At College and University with Queen’s Park in the background.
When we turned from Blue Jays Way onto Wellington, some of us forgot the bi-directional cycle track was on the south side. We regrouped at Wellington and Clarence Square.
Heading up Shaw Street.
Back on Bloor Street at Brunswick.
The ride returning to the starting point at Matt Cohen Park.
Before dispersing, Alison thanked the crowd for attending the ride, while I gave a brief reminder about the next ride happening on New Year’s Day. Meet 11 AM at Yonge & Queen’s Quay for 11:30 AM departure where the ride will go either west to Humber Bay or east to Leslie Spit.
Thanks Alison and Jun for putting together yesterday’s ride. Hopefully the ride returns on Friday, January 31 as we face the prospect of both provincial and federal elections. A reminder we must stay focused to get rid of Doug Ford provincially if we are to get that anti-bike lane Bill 212 repealed.
Heather put up this short video on the Bromptoning Bluesky feed.
A peaceful #CriticalMass ride was just what we needed this holiday season! (Okay, Heather needed it most after spending 4 days in her bike-hostile rural hometown. 😤) #BikeTO #ILoveBikeLanes
— Bromptoning (Heather & Pier) (@bromptoning.bsky.social) December 27, 2024 at 8:49 PM
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