Cyclists Gearing Up for Bike Friday

Jaimie Kehler (CFRB News)

Who says you need to stay stuck in traffic? Save yourself the hassle, and ride your bike.

Tomorrow is the official kick-off of Bike Friday, and cyclists from around the city are invited to join forces and ride together to work. The event will take place on the last Friday of every month, and could be expanded depending on its success.

"I live downtown, it's easy for me to bike to work," said one man. "I think it just makes sense, it saves the environment, and it's great exercise."

The monthly event is the brainchild of Joseph Travers, a researcher, who was so disappointed that Bike Week only came once a year, that he created a whole new day dedicated to cycling. Cyclists around the downtown are already gearing up for the event.

"I think it's going to be great," said one woman, as she locked her bike up downtown. "It encourages people to get some exercise. I find that's the only time I ever get it, so if it encourages people to get out there at the end of the week, and get sweaty, I think it's good."

While many are in favour, not everyone is so keen. One man says that he loves biking, but the Bike Friday idea could be dangerous, thanks to angry drivers who want the road all to themselves.

Throughout the afternoon, Toronto Police and the Youth & Policing Initiative, held a bike blitz along the Martin Goodman Trail near Donald Summerville Pool, checking for basic safety measures like bells and helmets, and reminding everyone to register their bikes.

Rob McDonald of the Crime Prevention Unit urges everyone, cyclists and drivers alike, to use extra caution on Friday during the morning ride.

"People have to remember that they have to follow the rules of the road," said McDonald. "Obey all traffic signs and signals, and watch out for cars, because a bicycle is a lot smaller than a two-thousand pound vehicle."

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