Know Your Rights! The Legals Around Cycling In The City

Whether you are a cyclist, pedestrian, car, truck or taxi driver, we all need to learn to share the road. Urban life is fast-paced, spontaneous and at times very hectic, especially for cyclists in a city like Toronto. (“Caronto!”) Zygg would like to share some valuable information with our ebike subscribers and food delivery riders: 

Zygg and The Biking Lawyer LLP want you to Know Your Rights when riding a bike! Come join us online this Wednesday June 15th at 3:00 p.m. for a chance to ask questions with David Shellnutt, aka "The Biking Lawyer", an expert on legal issues involving people on bikes.  This workshop is especially for Zygg subscribers and is FREE to attend on Zoom. 

To receive a direct link for Zoom access, please send an email request to: support@ridezygg.com

If you are unable to attend the workshop, David Shellnutt and his team have compiled some helpful resources on their website regarding Cycling Law & Personal Injury, Anti-Racism & Human Rights, Sexual Violence & Assault. You can even Report a Crash, Chat with a Representative, or Book a Free Consultation online.

Must Reads:  

The Biking Lawyer Cyclist Crash Guide is a step by step tutorial on what to do if you have been in an accident, including taking photos & gathering information, reporting to the proper authorities, seeking legal advice, and most importantly, assessing injuries & receiving medical attention if needed!

Bike Commuting and Safety Tips offer great advice on how to increase your visibility, plan your route, avoid other common mistakes & reckless riding habits - like riding on sidewalks or pedestrian paths, riding with headphone/earbuds, or getting squeezed in a tight lane or at a corner. Make maximum use of your bell or horn! Ding Ding! Take it cautious & slow. If you do not feel safe or if the road / weather conditions are challenging, walk your bike until you feel comfortable.

Zygg hopes you are able to join in on the “Know Your Rights” Zoom Workshop.

Be respectful, courteous, and #ridesafe. Enjoy your travels! #BikeTO

The Biking Lawyer on Social:

https://twitter.com/thebikinglawyer 

https://www.instagram.com/thebikinglawyer/?hl=en 

https://www.facebook.com/thebikinglawyer/

Safe, Fun Biking To School: The Bike Bus Movement Is In Full-Swing!

The term “Bike Bus” or “Cycle Bus” refers to a group of people who cycle together on a particular route - usually on a set day & time - as a form of collective, bicycle commuting. Bike Buses are an excellent way to promote cycling safety & green-mobility awareness in a community-focused, healthy fashion. Bike Bus groups have popped up in Scotland, Ireland, France, The USA, Australia, Denmark, Spain, Canada….and the list goes on. One of the first, The Aire Valley Bike Bus in West Yorkshire, U.K., was formed in 2006, and has been gathering every Wednesday since. 

Source: NPR

The truly exciting thing? The fastest growing Bike Bus Movements in Canada and abroad are parents cycling together with their children to school.  A recently posted video entitled “Kid Wheel Power” showcases one of the world’s most visible bike buses during “BiciBus Bike Month For Kids”, in Barcelona, May 2022.

In the film, Rosa Suriñach from the United Nations Bike Ride explains that although Barcelona has an evolving cycling infrastructure, there were not enough measures in place for children to ride safely. So, “Bicibús, Barcelona” began. Their motto: If it is safe for children, it is safe for everyone, 4-80 years old.

Every week, Bicibús allows families to ride to school by bike in a protective, train-formation. Dozens of adults & children take over main streets in spaces usually occupied by cars. Bicibús started with just five families, and now, there are 10 independent groups in the city & more than 20 in the surrounding region. 

In Eixample, the bicibús travels down Entença Street, where three schools are located; this is a high-density road where 20,000 vehicles (cars, taxis, trucks) travel each day. In a statement to NPR in October, 2021, parent Mireia Boix - who travels each week with her 5 year old son - noted that this area is “loud and busy. And for kids getting to school, it can be dangerous.” Boix confides that with the bicibús, she feels a sense of relief when her son bikes to school on Fridays because she knows he'll be safe.

To discover other inspirational groups, check out #bicyclebus, #bikebus, or #biketoschool on Twitter, like this thread about the “Bike Bus, Dutch”, which also includes a feature article on various bike buses in Toronto, profiled by Dandy Horse Magazine. 

How Can You Get Started? Here are some terrific events:

Go By Bike Week Vancouver: May 30 - June 5th, 2022 includes a “Bike To School Week”. In 2021, 126 schools took part with 13,700 students tracking 40,500 bike trips!

There are lots of great Bike To School courses and online tips for school and individuals.

As part of Toronto Bike Month, there is also a Bike To School Week, May 30 - June 5th, 2022.

Source: Mike Layton

Access Cycling with Children Resources, on Equipment, Safe-Cycling Tips, Riding With Your Child, Buying Their Own  Bike & Family- Friendly Route Planning, here.

Leading up to Bike Month, Toronto Councillor Mike Layton was in awe of the massive, enthusiastic Bike To School Ride in the core of the city.

Zygg founder & C.E.O. Kevin McLaughlin, who often takes his children to school or on errands & activities via cargo bike, was also thrilled to see more of his neighbours doing the same.  #CycleSafe #CycleTogether

The Buzz Around Riding An Ebike? May Test Rides & Special Events To Get You Going!

Discover the magic of riding an ebike for yourself. Once you try an ebike, you’ll be hooked. Zygg loves to give everyone the opportunity to test ride our awesome bikes. Now is the perfect time to check out this year’s models of subscription ebikes on offer. Whether you are interested in an e-bike for commuting, pleasure riding or commercial delivery, Zygg has the perfect fit for you.

Model A

For personal riding, we have added the Model A to our fleet. Similar to the Model G, it has a long range (battery charge), is a stylish, comfortable, “step-through”, and like all our ebikes, comes with integrated lights & a custom locking system. We also have the sporty and lighter Qx.

For our crew of dedicated, delivery subscribers, Zygg has added the very powerful & robust Model R in tandem with the ubiquitous Model Q1 and double-battery Q2. 

Sign up for a free test ride at our new flagship location: 345 Sorauren Avenue (near Dundas West & Lansdowne). Our team will answer any questions about our ebikes & unique subscription service, and make you feel confident in the saddle.

* Vancouverites can also sign up for test rides at our 397 Alexander St. store in downtown Vancouver, by booking an appointment via the same portal. 

If you are up for something more social, Zygg is embracing our new “Roncy Village” neighbourhood with some marquee, test-ride events this May, and throughout the city this summer. First up:

Saturday, May 14th: Zygg Ebike Pop Up 1pm-6pm

Location: Henderson’s Brewery, 128 A Sterling Road, Toronto

Henderson’s is an award-winning, full-scale brewery in the lower Junction Triangle in west Toronto. Their selection of locally brewed, “approachable” beer is diverse & fresh: like the popular Henderson’s Best Amber Ale, The Food Truck Lagered Blonde & The Pearson Express IPA. New, seasonal brews include: The Society Of Beer-Drinking Ladies Raspberry Limonale & Export Stout with Coffee Vanilla & Cinnamon.  Recently, Henderson’s teamed up with super-group Rush to craft the Rush Canadian Golden Ale, with notes of pine and citrus hops, reminiscent of white rye bread.

You can order online for pick up or free-delivery for purchases over $45.

Henderson Brewing

They sell non-alcoholic soda, lemonade and cider which you can sip onsite or order online. To complement their beverages, Henderson’s stocks locally sourced artisanal products - like mustard, chips, pepperettes, General Assembly Frozen Pizza, stout cupcakes, coffee and jellies - to keep your fridge and pantry full.

The Sterling Road location houses a bottle shop for take-home purchases and a Tap Room to sit and enjoy a pint. Their super-chill patio,(now open), is a welcome destination for west-end residents, Junction artists & startups, foodies, and urban-explorers from all over the city. There are always great snacks available, and often local chefs host culinary tastings. It is always cool for you to bring your own food! Check out their hours of operation, here.

Come on out, this Saturday, May 14th. Bring some friends, your I.D., and a helmet (or we can lend you one). The weather is forecast to be stellar.

Saturday, May 21 : Zygg’s New Digs Launch Party, noon-5pm * Postponed due to inclement weather

345 Sorauren Avenue, Toronto. (entrance on main floor on the south side of the building, next to the tennis courts)

Zygg Toronto wants to show off our new west end store, bathed in natural light (perfect to display our ebikes), next to a vibrant park, surrounded by quiet, residential streets, great for taking our ebikes out for a spin! It will be a fun day’s outing….we have some surprises in the works. 

Monday, May 23 - Sorauren Farmers Market 4pm-7pm

You can also stop by and say “hello” during the weekly Sorauren Farmers’ Market. Opening day this year is Monday, May 23!

Monday, May 30 - Bike Month @ Nathan Phillips Square 7am-9am 

And finally, Zygg is very excited to take part in the Ride A Bike Day marking the start of Bike Month in Toronto.

There are lots of resources, contests, profiles and fun events to check out on the Bike Month’s official site.

Happy & Safe Cycling! #bikeTO #propelyourself #getoutside