2016 Cycle Toronto Annual Report
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2016 CYCLE TORONTO ANNUAL REPORT MOCKUP 3 Table of Contents & Who we are Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................................................... 1. Messages from Executive Director & Board President ......................................................................................................................................................... 2. Year in Review ................................................................................................................................................................ 3. Advocacy in Review .................................................................................................................................................... 5. Encouragement Programs ........................................................................................................................................ 7. Education: Street Smarts ............................................................................................................................................ 9. Membership and Donors ......................................................................................................................................... 11. Finances: Budget & Statement of Operations .................................................................................................. 12. Supporters and Volunteers ................................................................................................................................... 13. Mission: We advocate for a safe, healthy and vibrant cycling city for all. Vision: Toronto is an outstanding cycling city. It embraces cycling as an essential mode of transportation. It upholds the principles that streets are for people, and that no traffic fatalities are acceptable. VALUES: We believe in people. As an inclusive, grassroots, member- We shape policy by presenting sensible supported organization, we celebrate a solutions that make cycling an issue for all. diversity of people and perspectives, and We reject divisiveness and partisanship, the universal right to mobility. adopting a balanced, pragmatic approach with broad resonance. We hold the city, and We collaborate. other sources of power, to account. We celebrate the notion that no organization is an island. We embrace the We love bikes. power of partnership, adopting a spirit of We are driven by passion. We celebrate the cooperation and teamwork. joy of cycling and its power to bring com- munities together. We are leaders. We are an authoritative source in the public We transform our city. conversation about cycling—a position We help people improve communities; ac- we sustain by being trustworthy, credible, cess democracy; and live healthy, connected thoughtful and reliable. We develop and lives. We are committed to sustainability; promote information and ideas that are social justice; and the safety, dignity and honest, accurate and rooted in evidence. wellness of all. We drive change. 1. Messages from Executive Director & Board President 38 to 3. After years of work, I couldn’t believe we had won for Active Transportation. It wouldn’t have happened the final vote at Toronto City Council for pilot bike lanes on without the tremendous efforts of local councillors Mike Bloor by such a landslide. Layton and Joe Cressy and the detailed evidence-based approach taken by City staff. Our success on Bloor affirms the power of transforming lo- cal grassroots activism with a focused campaign into sus- Make no mistake: the Bloor pilot is life saving infrastructure. tained community organizing. Without coordination, ev- City Council has committed to the bold goal of eliminating eryday actions such as phone calls, emails and events are all traffic related deaths and serious injuries. A city-wide often ineffective at making positive changes in our commu- Minimum Grid of protected bike lanes is key to achieving nities. Through coordinating meetings of local volunteers, Vision Zero. relationship-building with local and city-wide stakeholders and implementing a strategic campaign plan, Cycle Toronto While Bloor is an important milestone, there’s a great deal added precision and timing to multiply the efforts of mem- of work to come. As we look ahead, we must stay focused bers, cycling advocates and local residents to win the vote to support the Bloor pilot, make it permanent and expand it at Council. east and west. We must dial up our efforts to make protected bike lanes on Danforth and Yonge a reality. And we must Our victory is also a testament to the power of partnerships. continue building support for a city-wide Minimum Grid. Our Bloor Loves Bikes campaign built on the foundation of local groups like Bells on Bloor and extended it to Canada- 2016 was a watershed year for Toronto’s wide organizations like the David Suzuki Foundation. Our cycling network. Let’s stay focused drive to build bike lanes on Bloor St wouldn’t have been to extend the benefits across the possible without the passion of local residents’ associations, entire city. the focus of the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area nor the cutting edge research done by the Toronto Centre Jared Kolb Executive Director Diversity is part of Cycle Toronto’s values and we also Cycling itself also offers a powerful opportunity to create recognize that, to grow Cycle Toronto, the Board must community and a sense of belonging. One of last year’s reflect the lived experiences of Toronto’s communities. In Bike Host participants beautifully captured that feeling: this year’s Message, I’m pleased to be able to report back “I’ve been here for four years, but I’ve never felt so much on the Board’s Talent and Inclusion Strategy to increase the as if I belong to this society. When you bike, you know diversity of the Board. Among the many projects the Board places, you notice more, you see more. And then, because has undertaken this year, this is one of the most important you know the city, and sometimes more than a citizen of to both the Board and members. the city, you feel like you belong equally as those people who’ve been living here a long time.” This year, we implemented Phase 1 of the Strategy and we ~ Bike Host Participant, are proud of the progress we’ve made. At the AGM, we will Bikes and Belonging Exhibit have the second largest number of candidates who have ever stood for election to the Board. The candidates have I believe Cycle Toronto has a role to play in building a more a broad range of valuable skills and reflect a more realistic inclusive and welcoming city, and representation of the diversity of Toronto. I look forward to engaging in that work with you. Next year, we will continue working to become more representative. Phase 2 of the Strategy will include extending Meredith James our outreach to additional groups and engaging with talent President, Board of Directors inside Cycle Toronto by creating more opportunities for non-directors to participate in Board Committees. 2. Cycle Toronto: By the Numbers 3,024 bikes parked 16,726 at over 20 Bike Total signatures supporting Valet events Bloor, Danforth & Yonge 11,153 3,488 2,085 signatures on signatures on signatures on Bloor Loves Bikes Danforth Loves Yonge Loves Bikes pledge Bikes pledge pledge 300+ Bike Month events across the GTHA (3,000 signed up for Bike to Work Day) 301 schools 2,500+ & 21,742 people reached through 10 Bike Month students commuter stations, participated in Bike 1,000 Bike Month to School Week bags with cycling across GTHA resources 3. 184 Cycle 12 Toronto 31,850 business quotes or mentions in members print, television, radio Toronto Cyclists and web stories Handbooks distributed this year available in 13 languages 50 Street Smarts Safe Cycling and Bike Maintenance workshops $27,000+ raised by delivered to over 130+ people through our 500 participants Ride for Safe Streets 28,000+ 1,500 200+ bike lights given out Newsletter and engaged Email volunteers to unlit cyclists subscribers over 4 Get Lit! events 26,750+ followers across Facebook, Twitter $50,000+ raised for and Instagram our Street Smarts educational programs 4. Advocacy in Review March - Protected bike lanes on until late 2018. Consideration as to whether Lakeshore Blvd W approved to start the study for Danforth comes back Sue Trainor was killed while riding her bicycle to City Council in late 2017. on Lakeshore Blvd W in South Etobicoke in 2013. Her death was a tragic reminder of a July - Yonge Loves Bikes campaign Bike lanes on major gap in our cycling network. We swung launch & Road Safety Plan adopted Bloor, Road into action with the Waterfront Regeneration Our Yonge Loves Bikes campaign launched Safety Plan, Trust & local Councillor Mark Grimes to fill with the goal of building protected bike lanes this gap in the Waterfront Trail. Toronto City on Yonge from the waterfront to Steeles. Friends & Council approved bidirectional protected Families for bike lanes on Lakeshore Blvd W between The Road Safety Plan was also approved. Norris Cres and First St. While the plan adopted the goal of Safe Streets; eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on 2016 was a April - Bikes Mean Business our roads, there was very little new money added to make it a reality. milestone on Danforth As a part of our Danforth Loves Bikes year. campaign, we joined Danforth Mosaic BIA, September - Woodbine bike lanes Danforth BIA, local councillors, cycling staff and a pop up bike lane on Danforth and researchers