On one day every year, Torontonians can experience the thrill of a ciclovia, a temporary road closure to cars for the benefit of other users such as cyclists. I am referring to the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart, a charity ride which allows cyclists and in-line skaters to travel the DVP and Gardiner Expressway free of cars and trucks.  I was one of the over 12,000 participants at this year’s event on June 1st. I have three observations I would like to share:

Cycling is for everyone! I saw people there of all ages and walks of life: training wheels, recumbents, tandems, trailers, third wheels, cruisers, racers, families, new love, old love, too much spandex, and a whole lot of smiling. For those new to cycling, it is a great place to learn. Plus, it gives our youth a crucially important impression about the fun and importance of this exercise. For the experienced cyclists, it is a great place to reconnect with the cycling community. For me, it was a breath of fresh air. I think H.G. Wells put it best: “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”

Cycling allows you to discover your senses! It’s amazing what you miss when driving by car. Firstly, the DVP is incredibly scenic and runs through the heavily forested Don River Valley. Cycling gives you time to appreciate this beauty. Secondly, have you ever powered up a hill with your muscles burning and then coasted down, wind in your hair, to experience the exhilaration of going faster than you ever thought possible under your own power? Have you ever rode by some a patch of wildflowers and caught a whiff of their fragrance? What about enjoying some good food after a long ride? This is what cycling is all about.

I love when priority is given to cyclists! Free of noisy traffic, ciclovia is a time to celebrate the simple pleasures of life. There’s also a socialization aspect that satisfies many human needs. Plus, it’s pure fun! Why is it only once a year in the GTA? Politicians are all too aware of the delicate issue of traffic disruptions, and street closures for the benefit of cyclists haven’t been widely accepted just yet. But others are “paving” the way…

The City of Bogota, Colombia has gotten a lot of worldwide attention for its weekly gathering of over a million people on 70 miles of streets. Closer to home, Ottawa closes more than 50km of parkways for cyclists and in-line skaters every Sunday morning from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day (May 18 to August 31, 2008). Though probably not as lively as the Colombian example, Ottawa’s Sunday bikedays can get quite crowded. New York City and Portland, Oregon have also started bike days. I hope Toronto isn’t far behind.

Until then, I will enjoy some of Toronto’s great bike routes like the Waterfront Trail, Belt Line, Humber Trail, and Toronto islands. And mark your calendars! Next year’s Ride for Heart is June 7, 2009.

Further Reading
Ciclovia: Bogota, Colombia
Ottawa’s Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays
New York’s First Ciclovia a Success
Ciclovia: Is NYC Ready?
Sunday Pathways: Portland’s First Ciclovia-Style Street Closure
Gil Penalosa – Creating Great Cities: Walking and Bicycling