The General Ledger - Latest Comments

Re: The Cyclists Union is dead. Long live the cyclists union.

Greg Burrell — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:51:17 -0000

It's a confident majority, for sure. But the threshold for passing was two-thirds, so in fact it only passed by 12 votes. That's slim.

Re: The Cyclists Union is dead. Long live the cyclists union.

bike gal — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:16:36 -0000

70% is hardly a slim margin

Re: The Cyclists Union is dead. Long live the cyclists union.

Bike Man — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:02:06 -0000

I didn't like the old name.... not very inclusive.

Re: Android personal finance apps

Greg Burrell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:16:39 -0000

Yes and no. When I wrote this post, Mint was just getting into the Canadian market, and wasn't very functional, but they've matured in the last two years into a fairly powerful application. BMO updated their own interface some time last year so that now you have one login no matter if you're using a bank card or credit card, and then it worked with Mint. Thanks to now supporting all of my banks, I've been using Mint exclusively for quite some time. However, about two months ago my BMO account mysteriously stopped working again. I got fed up with calling to reset my password every few days, so now I just don't use it.

Re: Android personal finance apps

Iamtazb — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:28:50 -0000

You ever figure out a way to fix the BMO credit card problem?

Re: What’s in a name?

Greg Burrell — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:52:34 -0000

Thanks for this insight, but this worries me even more, actually. To come up with "Cycle Toronto", what did the Board tell the brand consultant our group "is really about"? Like Lizz said, if the Board wants to take politics out of what the organization does, they are moving in completely the wrong direction.

As for what's actually doable, not changing the name at all is quite doable. But as a few other bloggers (and Board members) have pointed out, whatever name is chosen, the work will be done to implement it. For me, the feasibility of changing to any particular name (versus others) is irrelevant. The organization absolutely should pick the best name, whatever it is, and then deal with the logistics of changing it.

Re: What’s in a name?

Joe Drew — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:31:52 -0000

According to today's conference call, the board consulted with a brand consultant when looking for new names; Cycle Toronto was selected as the best option that reflected what the group's really about and was actually doable (URLs, etc).

Re: What’s in a name?

Lizz B — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:05:43 -0000

If people are offended by the word union, they should probably look into the definition and history of the word. I, personally, find it comforting - especially because it is political. (Though I think Toronto Cyclists' Alliance is rad)

If the union isn't political, then what's the point?

Re: Metropass economics: 2012 edition

Guest — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:36:17 -0000

Thanks for explaining this so well.

Re: Metropass economics: 2012 edition

Electrify85 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:22:52 -0000

In most places, a pass can pay for itself after about 40 rides - and this is before any tax credit is applied. Toronto is one of the only places where you have to take it at least 49 times for it to begin to pay for itself. Because of this, in many cases it is worth using extra tokens for short tips and stop overs than it is to use a pass - even if it seems wasteful to drop what amounts to an extra $2.60 for such a frivolous ride.

With that said, there are two reasons why TTC riders should get the pass. First and foremost, is the tax credit. Ya, you might pay more overall, but it is nice to see your sustainable commuting habits rewarded at tax time (and love him or hate him, we have Mr. Harper to thank for this). Second is the convenience. Being able to hop on and hop off of transit services with no perceivable loss as much as you'd like does give you a warm feeling inside. It can even change your whole outlook on transit, as you appriciate its local benefits more rather than being annoyed that the bus is too slow.

Finally, the Presto card should begin to offer riders the best of everything. You will be able to ride without seeing a physical supply beginning to drop, you will be able to keep track of how often you ride to see if a pass is a worthwhile purchase, and still get a tax credit regardless!

Re: Threes and sevens

Greg Burrell — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:12 -0000

Oh, really? I wonder how many people are putting dimes in the farebox anyway?

Re: Threes and sevens

Cameron MacLeod — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:48:12 -0000

Cash fare is still $3.00 - only the discounted prices went up.

Re: How to ride a bike on Queen Street

Functionalist — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:22:17 -0000

You're foolish for making this issue about ideology. Cycling is about self-sufficiency, a way of getting around which doesn't require the huge government expenditure that driving and transit requires, and one which doesn't require much regulation. That's pretty much the opposite of socialism! It's clearly compatible with conservative ideals. Of course, liberal-minded individuals like it too for the environmental and health benefits as well as it being a very accessible option to people of different income levels.

In spite of how it's often presented in Toronto, cycling isn't about political ideology because it's compatible with important ideals on both sides of the spectrum. With that said, there is a position that it is incompatible with, an extreme position which is unreasonable and unacceptable. This position is reactionary, and it's one that has been stated by Rob Ford when he said that cycling accidents are only the fault of the cyclist for being on the road, and when his administration reduced functional bike lanes. The reactionist believes that nothing should change, and that there shouldn't be more bicycles on the streets. The reactionary doesn't see the self-sufficiency, promoting less government expenditure on transportation and less regulation, not to mention the environmental and health benefits. He doesn't care; he just wants the status quo of few people cycling on roads and marginalization. He supports new paths, but that just maintains the status quo: cycling in out of the way places like ravines as merely recreation for the occasional Sunday.

James, you misrepresent the position of the author, for wanting no cars on the roads (in general) is another extreme which no reasonable person should hold. Rather, a better balance should be attained which doesn't require that much government expenditure on roads and which is better for reducing congestion and helping the environment.

Re: To remember a fallen cyclist

TOisGood — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:23:13 -0000

It would have anyway, but as it was around the corner from where I live, it certainly struck a chord with me. My partner was out and I was checking the photos to see if I recognized the bike.

Re: To remember a fallen cyclist

Kristin Foster — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:47:46 -0000

Well said, Greg. Wish I could have been there myself.

Re: Android personal finance apps

Brad Camroux — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:19:54 -0000

An interesting post. I have thought about (and sought) a personal finance app for a while, on and off. The biggest factor that keeps turning me away from them all is the fact that they all want to store my financial information in the great and powerful (and mysterious) cloud. It's bad enough that my banks have all the info available online; I don't need to have additional info at some (seemingly random) site.

Now, granted, without cloud storage another type of storage solution is required. This may involve syncing with a PC on a daily (weekly? monthly?) basis. Unfortunately, with today's spoiled society having everything it wants right now, that is not likely to take off.

Just my thoughts.

Re: Ontario Election 2011: Beaches East York

Blabblablba — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:59:00 -0000

Freedom Party was founded by people that are not sheepish and that enjoy freedom. Duh.

Re: Ontario Election 2011: Beaches East York

Blabblablba — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:40:30 -0000

"I’ve been more or less satisfied with the Liberal government of the past eight years." God help us.

Re: Why are all the anti-Rob Fords panning subway construction?

Mike Sampat — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:34:47 -0000

Thanks for the reply man. I think you make some valid points, sorry I took so long to reply. What do you think of the ida of using the old CP rail lines that run across Toronto as new GO lines? It would take the pressure off of arteries from people who cross the city for work (i.e. people who live in Ajax and travel to Mississauga to work)?

Re: A letter to my City Councillor

David Demchuk — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:18:22 -0000

Excellent letter!

Re: Beaches East York debate live-blog

Greg Burrell — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:05:37 -0000

I know, and he sings! I've never come across an "aggressive" panhandler out here. I suspect the asker had one incident one time and is bitter. Or a Harris supporter.

Re: Beaches East York debate live-blog

KristinMuH — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:45:14 -0000

Can't believe someone complained about panhandlers on Queen in the Beaches - the only one I've ever seen is the guy who sells pencils in front of the IGA.

Re: Every Mayor is better than ours

Patrick Smyth — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:49:54 -0000

In the aftermath, Miller immediately proposed several drastic service cuts with the stated intention of saving $100 million from the operating budget. These measures included closing the Sheppard Subway line, cancelling underused bus routes, and scrapping renovations and extra staff to the mayor’s office. Miller argued that these were the only responsible steps that Toronto could take to prevent a financial crisis. This drew criticism from several councillors and columnists, with provincial Finance Minister Greg Sorbara attacking the cuts as “quick, perhaps poorly thought out decisions”. While they acknowledged the city was faced with a significant budget crisis, they described Miller’s announcements as a political ploy, citing his initial move to go to the media instead of calling special session to discuss the cuts, with Brian Ashton suggesting that Miller was punishing councillors that did not support the new taxes.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mi... and learn, this is no way to administer a City’s affairs. Kick politics at CH into touch.

Re: Why are all the anti-Rob Fords panning subway construction?

Luthier — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:50:25 -0000

Subways are great if they are planned well. His extension is just poorly planned and does not solve the problems of transit in the city. TransitCity tried to tackle that program instead of concentrating on dumping money in one route. Now we won't see either.

Re: Why are all the anti-Rob Fords panning subway construction?

ibhattac — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:41:04 -0000

Yup.