RT @OpenStreetsTO If you missed #OpenStreetsTO Sunday, we're doing it again! Come down on Aug.31, 8-Noon. More info: http://t.co/mQ0YjeWz6E
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 18, 2014
Today's #OpenStreetsTO Pilot Project took off, reached escape velocity, and had everybody smiling right up until it officially ended at Noon
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 17, 2014
Known locally as OpenStreetsTO, it is both the non-profit which brought CicloVia to Toronto as well as the hashtag keeping track of the pilot project.
It’s the first of two pilot project days when major streets in our city of Toronto are closed to traffic on Sunday Mornings.
Distinct from every other entertainment-related major street closing, this one is really for the people. Only the regular storefront businesses and organizations along the route are allowed to set up along the street.
Activity Hubs are located at strategic points to make maximum advantage of these few car-free hours.
I’ve envisioned CicloVia in Toronto since early 2006 when I first ran for Toronto City Council in Ward 19.
It was included in my Vision 2020 – Another Toronto is Possible platform when I first ran for Mayor in 2010.
It is included again in 2014.
Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has also championed CicloVia.
Appropriately enough, the Pilot Project is a T shaped route falling within much of her Ward Boundaries from Parliament to Spadina along Bloor Street and from Yonge and Bloor south to Queen Street.
I want the next phase expanded along Bloor Street from High Park in the west to Withrow Park in the east.
Ultimately, there is no reason OpenStreetsTO cannot be extended to Celebration Square in the heart of Mississauga all the way to Rouge Park in North East Toronto, with tributaries connecting neighbourhoods city-wide all alonge the main artery.
The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail route is set to begin service in 2020.
What a wonderful celebration it would be to mark the official opening of The Crosstown LRT with Eglinton Avenue becoming the primary east-west Open Street!
CicloVia – Avenida Atlântica, Rio de Janeiro – March 21 2010
Toronto deserves #OpenStreetsTO, EVERY Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Connecting Malvern to Rexdale and so many more points in-between.
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 17, 2014
Sunday Streets – The Embarcadero, San Francisco – March 10 2013
CicloVia – Medellín, Colombia – Sunday March 30 2014
Our first #OpenStreetsTO was but a few kilometres in length… And that's how #Bogotá's #CicloVia began ~40 years ago, a Pilot all of 6 KM!
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 17, 2014
CicloVia – Bogotá, Colombia – Sunday April 13 2014
In #Bogotá earlier this year, I biked much their 121 KM #CicloVia. It CONNECTS neighbourhoods of ALL income levels every Sunday. Incredible!
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 17, 2014
RT @HiMYSYeD: 1st #OpenStreetsTO was but a few kilometres in length…that's how #Bogotá's #CicloVia began 40 years ago, a Pilot all of 6KM!
— Open Streets TO (@OpenStreetsTO) August 18, 2014
Nick – Bogotá, Colombia, Sunday April 13 2014
Gil Peñalosa is the driving force for creating CicloVia in Cities the World over…
With Gil Peñalosa (@Penalosa_G) of 8-80 Cities inside my #OpenStreetsTO Chalk Labyrinth, Middle of Yonge & Bloor http://t.co/M1YVj6yxcM
— HïMY SYeD (@HiMYSYeD) August 17, 2014
It is beyond ironic that his adopted hometown of Toronto comes late in the day to bringing CicloVia here.
My only regret of not been @Toronto is missing 2nd @OpenStreetsTO Get up early Torontonians & enjoy walk bike skate car-free 8-12. Joyful!
— 8-80 Cities (@Penalosa_G) August 30, 2014
Ironic because Gil is from Bogotá; is the brother of the Former Mayor, Enrique; and was hired by Mayor Antanas Mockus — who incidentally defeated his Brother Enrique in an earlier run for Mayor — to improve the Parks and enhance CicloVia.
@HiMYSYeD Y'know, a Sunday change of rules for City behaviour is hardly unprecedented. An idea worth thinking about. #topoli #thinkbig
— Michelena Riosa (@TrixiePicasso) August 18, 2014