Annette Street Bike Lane - Please express your support before October 29

Last week, TCAT News reported on immediate action needed
to show City Council your support for the Annette Street bike lane,
which is facing challenges to approval at City Hall. This effort is
being led by the local group World19.
TCAT has heard from City Hall insiders that the chances of overturning
the committee decision at City Council are looking pretty good, but the
e-mails of support are still needed to back-up this effort.

TCAT originally reported that letters to City Hall needed to be in
by October 22, but that is just the deadline to have your e-mail
included in the main Council agenda. In fact, you can send in e-mails
right up to the Council meeting date, which is October 29, and your
e-mail will still be distributed to Council.

Again, the instructions for writing in your support are as follows:

• Send your comments to Marilyn Toft, Manager of Council Secretariat Support at mtoft@toronto.ca
• Be sure to copy Councillor Adrian Heaps, Chair of the City Cycling Committee at councillor_heaps@toronto.ca - It's also requested that you copy bikes@world19.com
• Use the subject "2008 Bikeway Network Program - Annette Street"
• Be sure to reference agenda item PW 19.8
• Request that your email be distributed to all Council members
• Send your comments in the body of the email, not as an attachment
• Keep your comments relatively brief to ensure they are read - focus on the issue and importance of these bike lanes
• You can also point out that the consultation resulted in overwhelming public support of the bike lanes
• Include your address. If you live near Annette, or in Ward 13,
  please indicate that too. If not, let them know where you live and why
  these Annette lanes specifically are important.
• Email is best, but if you do send by fax, the number is
  416-392-2980. Send to the attention of Marilyn Toft, and note on your
  cover page that it is for Council agenda item PW19.8
• You can also call Councillor Heaps' office (416-392-0213) to let your views be known

World19 has also setup a handy one-step link which will set up your
email for you (with all the CCs, subject line, etc.). To access this
link click here

Also, the Globe and Mail put out a story on this issue on Monday. To read the article click here

For more information from World19 click here

Finally, if you have time this Friday to volunteer, cyclists will be
out along Annette handing out flyers and promoting the bike lane and
need for support. If you're interested in helping out, e-mail info@torontocat.ca for more information.