Toronto Mayor presented with cycling friendly award

Share the Road Cycling Coalition, a provincial cycling advocacy group based in Toronto, will present Mayor Rob Ford with the Bicycle Friendly Communities award at City Hall today.

But according to Eleanor McMahon, founder of Share the Road, the award is not for the mayor. “The award is to the citizens of Toronto and the staff of Toronto,” she told NowToronto.com.

According to Share the Road’s website, communities complete a thorough application and are judged in five categories often referred to as the Five ” Es.” These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning.

A community must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories in order to be considered for an award on the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Toronto earned the silver status.

Communities with more significant achievements in these areas receive higher awards. The BFC application is a great self-assessment tool, as communities see where they can improve in each of these categories.

Some are disappointed that Ford is being presented with the award because of negative comments he has made about cyclists and the removal of bike lanes.