By Val Dodge

In a world where the squeaky wheel gets the grease, cyclists may be a little too well-lubricated for their own good. No matter how much noise they think they’re making, cyclists just can’t seem to push their agenda as well as, say, the Canadian Automobile Association can push theirs. Into this breach is stepping the Toronto Cyclists Union, the latest in a series of formal and informal organizations to try to help Toronto cyclists squeak a little louder.
The Union doesn’t officially launch until later this year, but that isn’t stopping them from hosting a cycling advocacy workshop on Sunday April 13. Topics of discussion focus mainly on becoming an effective part of the political process rather than just complaining about it. You’ll learn how to make your message heard through media and the political machinery at City Hall, organize volunteers, hold meetings, take advantage of public resources available to everyone, and convince your local councillor of the wisdom of your cycling desires.
Speakers include Councillors Joe Mihevc and Gord Perks, Streets are for People‘s Shamez Amlani, east end cycling agitator Jake Allderdice, Bells on Bloor‘s Albert Koehl, and about a dozen others.
The Toronto Cyclists Union’s Cycling Advocacy Workshop runs on Sunday April 13 from 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. in the Toronto City Hall Council Chamber. The workshop is free and everyone is welcome.
Photo by Stephanie Town from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.