Curbside hosts PST Bicycle Exempt Announcement
On Sunday December 2nd, Curbside Cycle hosted Margarett Best (above) – the Ontario Minister for Health Promotion – and an entourage of industry bigwigs for the official PST Exemption announcement. It was Toronto’s first major snowstorm, making both biking and driving difficult, but there was a great turnout and lots of excitement over the new provincial initiative. Check out the Sun interview with our own Don Watterson here
bells on bloor
We weren’t sure what to call bells on bloor, a rally, a protest, a ride? We still aren’t sure. What we knew is that we sell bikes to everybody, everday, and that most of these people would not want to be part of a rally or protest, but a ride – sure. But it wasn’t just a ride – it was political, after all – but not in any niche sort of sense. The goal was to create a ride that took anyone and everyone who rides on Bloor to show the fact that there is a lot of us, and that we want bike lanes. And, there sure was a lot of us! Despite a mere five weeks to organize the ride, the turnout was anywhere from 700 to 900 people – estimates vary. But the great thing is that everyone showed up, from the usual critical mass bunch to the moms, dads, kids, and urban professionals that ride their bikes daily. Of course we grabbed about twenty Batavus bikes and showed the world that good bicycle infastructure is one thing, but good bicycles are quite another. Bike lanes get people to work safely, but good bikes? That’s something we’re still all learning!
High Society Batavus Architectural Tour
Anyone who has ever rented a bike in Rotterdam remembers the almost-perfect experience of meandering about while looking at great architecture. Well, join Toronto Star architectural critic Christopher Hume as he takes members of Toronto’s uber-hip club, “The Society” on an architectural tour of Toronto. Members of The Society will start their excursion at Curbside Cycle and tour around Toronto aboard the sturdy, comfortable, and uber-fashionable Batavus bicycles – which is important, because members of The Society take dress quite seriously – seriously, just check their website. And really, what better way to see Toronto architecture than on a Dutch bicycle? We like the idea of thirty dapper people riding on Dutch bikes looking around at architecture, it brings a real human scale to the event – it’s almost archetypically civilized. Details are at The Society website.
UPDATE:
Want to see how it went? Read the excellent review at She Does the City.
Toronto Bicycle Film Festival
About a year ago we were talking to our friend Benny Zenga about putting together the Bicycle Film Festival in Toronto. Truth is, we got frantically busy importing Dutch bikes and accessories and Benny just went ahead and did it – that’s Benny. Toronto’s first Bicycle Film Festival will take place this month at the Royal Theater (with valet bicycle parking!) with the official launch at the Gladstone hotel on August 22. This is the kind of event that we love to support, a grassroots celebration that brings together cyclists of all stripes, the bicycle industry, artists, and local advocacy – its the kind of event that glues Toronto’s cyclists a little more together while celebrating our diversity. And, we figure that since Dutch bikes are what kept us from helping out Benny, we will help the first Toronto Film Festival with a free Dutch bike, which is, in our opinion, the glue that holds Dutch cyclists together. At the opening party on August 22nd, Curbside will be giving away one of the much sought after Batavus Old Dutch bikes (in whatever colour you like). Check out movie times, events and schedules at the Toronto Bicycle Film Festival at their website.
Batavus Launch Party June 2nd
To christen the entry of Batavus Dutch bikes into North America, join us on June 2nd for our upstairs gallery launch. Featuring our flagship Batavus brand, our new gallery also includes Pashley, Brompton, Strida, Moulton, and Birdy bicycles. We will have a DJ spinning Afrobeat and feature artwork on our walls all day. From 10 to 6pm we will have a sidewalk sale with Dutch treats and coffee. And, from 6 to 12am, join us for a Grolsch, Dutch treats and pleasant idle chatter. All are most welcome! Check out our main website to see the Batavus Dutch bikes. Or, buy online!
