Thursday, October 27, 2005

Free parking in Toronto

From the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada

TORONTO, ON -- Toronto City Council passed a motion yesterday that will see free street parking for motorcycles and other improvements for motorcycles and motorized scooters in the City of Toronto.

The relevant parking by-laws will soon be amended to exempt motorcycles, as defined in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, from standard parking fees at all on-street parking meters or parking machines. Also, by-laws will soon be amended to allow motorcycles to park, where on-street parking is lawfully allowed, at an angle, but not more than sixty (60) degrees to the curb.

In addition, the Toronto Parking Authority (the ‘TPA’) will submit a report to the Works Committee detailing how the TPA could designate a small area at all of their indoor and outdoor ‘Green P’ lots where motorcycles may park for free. The City will also evaluate allowing scooters to park on sidewalks.

The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada’s (MCC’s) general manager Peter Jacobs made a deputation to the Works Committee on Oct. 11 making a strong case in support of the motion, advanced by Toronto City Councillor Case Ootes (Ward 29 Toronto Danforth).

“The City is demonstrating real leadership on this issue," Jacobs said. “Motorcycles use less space on the road, less space in parking, consume less fuel and produce less emissions. With motorcycle and scooter sales increasing steadily, this decision clearly indicates the City is committed to reducing congestion and pollution. We will work to persuade other jurisdictions to follow Toronto’s lead.”

MCC is Canada’s largest association representing motorcyclists’ interests. Its membership comprises more than 200 clubs and represents over 70,000 riders from all across Canada.

Thursday, October 6, 2005

Canada to host TT style race

By John Hopkins

SYDNEY, NS – A motorcycle road race in the classic tradition of the Isle of Man is slated for Canada next fall.

The Cape Breton Festival of Speed was unveiled at a press conference in Sydney, NS yesterday. The event, which will be headlined by a motorcycle race on a 52km road circuit, is due to run Sept. 20-23.

“This is such an important day in motorsports in Canada, and in particular in Nova Scotia,” said Maureen Carroll, chair of the Cape Breton Festival of Speed.

Present at the announcement were Isle of Man TT veteran Ian Lougher of Wales, Isle of Man Tourism Minister David Cretney and Canadian racer Pat Barnes, who tackled the fabled Isle of Man event in 2004.

“With some paving, these beautiful roads will offer a suitable challenge for some of the best riders in the world,” Lougher, a seven-time Isle of Man TT champion and the current Production 600 lap record holder, said in a press release accompanying the announcement.

“There are some fast stretches and the only things I don’t see which are part of the Isle of Man are the pubs around the circuit, which I’ll miss, and the stonewalls lining the roads, which I won’t miss. I definitely want to come back next year for the race.”

Lougher toured the track on Tuesday and said he expects it to be faster than the Isle of Man circuit. Barnes predicted a top speed of 210 mph.

“An Isle of Man style competition and the Festival of Speed will raise the profile of racing in Canada, giving more exposure to Canadian riders,” said Barnes in the release.

Practice for the Cape Breton Festival of Speed is slated for the Wednesday and Thursday of the race week (Sept. 20-21), with a motorcycle charity ride planned for the Friday. Race day is Saturday, Sept. 23, and the week will conclude with a “Show and Shine” for cars, trucks and motorcycles on Sunday.

The event is the brainchild of the Membertou First Nations community and Canadian car racer and event promoter John Graham. Bernd Christmas, CEO of the Membertou Development Corporation had been working with Graham on a separate project earlier this year when they hit upon the idea of a TT-style motorcycle race.

Graham traveled to the Isle of Man for this summer’s TT event along with Membertou Chief Terry Paul.

Yesterday’s press conference was held in the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre in Sydney.

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