imagine if skaters took over a major expressway...

**skategeezer** · 05-31-2008 09:32 AM

Gardiner plugged by 200 rogue cyclists

By TOM GODFREY AND CHRIS DOUCETTE, SUN MEDIA

Two members of the Critical Mass bicycle activist group, Jean and John, argue their case for bike lanes on Bloor St. shortly after more than 200 cyclists took to the Gardiner Expressway around 7 p.m., shutting down traffic. Three cyclists were ticketed. (Jack Boland, Sun Media)

At least 200 cyclists, some with kids in tow, swarmed the busy Gardiner Expressway last night in a reckless 7-km protest that brought traffic to an abrupt halt for 15 minutes.
Hoping to garner support for more bike lanes on Bloor St., the cyclists, many of whom were members of Critical Mass Bicycle Ride, pedalled up the Jarvis St. on-ramp around 7 p.m. and took over three westbound lanes of the busy highway as they rode to Dunn Ave., police and witnesses said.
"This was a very dangerous stunt," Sgt. Jeff Redden of Toronto Police traffic services said last night. "This could have been worse in that there could have been a fatality."
Redden said three cyclists were charged under the Provincial Highways Act for cycling on a highway and will have to pay a $110 fine. They were processed at the Dunn Ave. exit and released.
Redden said the cyclists were spotted by an off-duty security guard, who notified police and sought permission to use his emergency lights to alert motorists.
At first officers thought the cyclists were part of a stunt to promote tomorrow's Becel Ride for Heart, Redden said.

Ride participant Jean Blais Mathieu said several children rode with their parents in the Critical Mass ride, which takes place on the last Friday of every month.
"Nobody was in danger or in any risk," Blais said. "This was all done is a very safe manner."
'WEAVING IN AND OUT'
Motorist Chris Talbot said he saw cars almost plow into cyclists as he pulled onto the Gardner.
"They (cyclist s) were weaving in and out of traffic and some cars were swerving around them," Talbot said. "There were even kids out there who couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 years old."
Officers said it took nine cruisers to force the cyclists off at the Dunn and Jameson Aves. exit. Most of the protesters escaped police by throwing their bikes over a fence on the ramp and fleeing on foot.
"It was the weirdest thing," said motorist Cyndi Aristizabal, who had no idea what the protest was about. "It didn't last very long, but it was very bizarre." She said drivers were honking their horns and some got out of their cars in an effort to see what was going on.