In May 2010, the City of Toronto installed a new application of shared lane pavement markings referred to as "rush hour" sharrows on College Street. In the summer of 2010 the City of Toronto, in partnership with TCAT, conducted an evaluation of the impact of sharrows on cyclist and motorist behaviour. TCAT participated in the study design and data analysis, and provided support in soliciting survey staff and participants.

These 2011 bike trend predictions written by a Portland blogger also have some resonance here north of the border. It will be an interesting year to watch and to help influence decisions about active transportation!

The Regional Public Works Commissioners of Ontario (RPWCO) is currently reviewing the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) to determine what amendments may be appropriate to support and promote active transportation in Ontario.

Each year the City of Toronto produces free bike maps. These maps are a great resource for cyclists planning their route to work, school, shopping, or simply to explore.

The development of next year's bike map has begun, and the City's Cycling Infrastructure and Programs Unit is requesting input from the general public about which features are the most useful. A brief survey is now online here.

Already considered one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, Copenhagen recently announced that its busiest bicycle street will now be transformed into its first bicycle highway. This plan is expected to ease both bicycle congestion in the crowded bike paths, but also unclog car traffic as well.

TCAT is holding its second annual Complete Streets Forum on April 28-29, 2011, and is looking for some skillful and hardworking people to join the Event Team. The Event Team will be integral in ensuring that the conference comes together successfully.

The City of Toronto has installed a new intersection treatment at Harbord and St. George Street, and they want feedback.

If you are a driver or a cyclist who travels through this intersection, please consider participating in a short online survey. The information you provide will be used to evaluate the new intersection treatment. The survey is anonymous, and you will not be asked for any private information.

Click here to complete the survey. You can also enter a draw to win great prizes!

Earlier this year Google Maps introduced Bike Directions, a feature that flags bike-friendly routes for cyclists in U.S. cities. Yesterday Google announced that this popular feature will now be available in nine Canadian cities: Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, Gatineau, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Kelowna.

After hearing that Montreal has become a great city for cyclists, Copenhagenize posted a video of a busy intersection, some street art and pics of bikes and cycling infrastructure.

Copenhagenize points out that: “Like in over 130 cities around the world, a bike share system has kickstarted the return of bicycle to the city. In Montreal's case it's the Bixi. In October 3 million trips had been registered so far this year.”

Last night Toronto voted in a new mayor and 44 councillors. Over the last several months TCAT surveyed all candidates to find out their views on active transportation and to provide them with information about concrete steps that need to be taken to improve cycling and walking. The results were released last month but TCAT continued to upload any surveys received up to the day of the election.

Almost one third (14 out of 44) of the newly elected Councillors responded to TCAT's election survey. Of those: