Toronto Reference Library Blog

Check out Cedarbrae's post Cycling Maps are Here, then come down to the Toronto Reference Library for a history of cycling in Toronto. 

Torontonians are fascinated with bicycles and bicycle design, but we also see cycling as a pleasurable leisure activity and an affordable method of transportation. Cycling cuts down on pollution, provides exercise, accomodates a variety of ages, is relatively flexible to use, cheap to operate and - well ---- just plain fun!

Building better cycling arteries in cities : a lesson for Toronto , Road to health : improving walking and cycling in Toronto, and Changing gears : Toronto for cyclists are just a sampling of reports emphasizing the benefits of cycling in the City. 

Twelve years ago, the newly amalgamated city came up with a blueprint for bicycles in the City : The City of Toronto bike plan : shifting gears. This plan built on over 25 years worth of reports on cycling put out by various governments and groups. Many of these can be found in the Toronto Collection, Humanities and Social Sciences Department, second floor of the Reference Library.

Have a look at magazines and newsletters, too. Cyclometer is a newsletter published by the City Cycling Committee and, of course, Dandyhorse from the Cyclists Union. (Pssst ...More to come re: Dandyhorse).

So rent a Bixi Bike or unlock your bike, your heart and your mind and pedal down to the Toronto Reference Library to have a look.